Double test

[olivo]

Am wondering if anyone can help me. I am going for a double test next week when I will be 14 1/2 wks but have read some things about it which say it should be done between 16 and 20 wks. Does anyone know? I was given this specific date to go by my m/w but am quite confused by what I've read!

any words of wisdom?

Hi

The first tests are for HIV and iron and antibodies etc in your blood. The 16 week ones are for Downs, Spina Bifida risk factors etc. Your midwife will explain it all to you.

HTH.

xxx

Thanks HC - I've had the first bloods, all came back ok, this is definitely a 'Double test' for Downs etc, the mw has written it on my notes but I had to book it with my GP. I'm just confused as the books/magazines I've read say it should be between 16-18 wks and one said that it might not be accurate if not done at the right time.Obviously I'll ask the GP when I get there but no doubt i'll still get charged for the appt - we have to pay here.

(the midwife was quite scary so dont want to phone and check!)

Hi Olivo, where are you that you have to pay for appts? Also sorry to hear you have a scary mw, not good.
I also thought the triple test (?) was done at 16 weeks, that's when I've got my appt. Could you be brave and ring the scary mw to clarify the date?

I'm in Jersey - hospital is free but you pay for gp appts (reduced fee for pregnancy but still....)
I'm not very good with people I dont know which is why I went for shared care, as I've been with my GP for a few years -I think that is why i found the mw quite scary - I had a list of questions to ask but didnt dare! ( i know, I must sound like a total wimp!) I had to stop her on a couple of things as she went through the booking info, as she was going to put no in when actually, I had had problems etc.

I hope that my next mw appt might be with someone else -they must have a big enough team at the hospital?

Darent phone, don't want them to think I'm questioning them when they are the professionals (OMG, I sound like a right wuss, dont I?!)think i'll just have to voice my concerns to the GP and hope they dont charge me too much

No you're not a wuss, the job of any health care professional is to put a patient at ease so that they feel comfortable asking and answering questions. So it's not your problem it's the mw. Doesn't help you tho does it?!
Could you ring the GP practice and ask if they have contact numbers for antenatal classes, you may be able to get in touch with somebody locally who could give you helpful info.

How about ringing NHS direct - you can stay anon and just ask the question.

The chemical markers in the blood are accurate from 14 completed weeks of pregnancy.

I can give you a reference (a study by some of the best people in the field) - but it's a bit technical.
It's www.ncchta.org/fullmono/mon711.pdf

Be aware that Midwives often use 'double test' to mean any serum screening test for Down Syndrome so that includes the 'Triple test' and the 'Quadruple test'