Blood test. please refesh my memory. when should it be done?

[PippiCalzelunghe]

I am now 17 weeks. Have only been for first scan. will see midwife for the first time next week. not had any checks done yet. blood test, glycemic (sp?) test etc.

last time I went to hospital for all this things and seem to remember where before first scan?

what's your experience?

Hi Pippi, I've just been today (8+3) to see midwife for first time and she took blood and urine tests etc (no scan till 18 weeks which is very boring). Would have thought it would be more usual to have the tests earlier (often around 12 weeks in UK I think) but it's always different in different areas and if you've had the scan and everything seemed ok then everything most likely is. You should ask though as it sounds rather late, would be interesting to hear what they say! Good luck next week!

thought so Har! I was pretty sure the blood test was done pretty earlier on. it's that triple test isn't it?
I'll give them a ring first thing tomorrow. you are right it is all different, last time I had first scan later, this time first at 12 weeks and second bang on at 20. nothing else though. the baby is already moving. is it your first?

Triple test has to be done at 15-16wks.

Glucose tolerance test (if applicable) will be done if you have glucose in you urine or at approx 26wks IIRC if there is family history/obesity reasons.

i had my first lot at 12 weeks

SMS what do you mean 'it has to been done' at 15-16 weeks?

My first test was done at booking in (about 11 weeks) had second lot done at 28 weeks, not sure about any further tests yet. Didn't opt for triple test though, which I think was around the 20 week scan? Pip, the triple test is if you choose to have the extra tests for certain conditions (cannot remember what they are though as didn't want the tests.)

Hi Pippi, yes it is my first. Is this your third then? I'm making sure to 'enjoy' being pregnant (ie sick and tired!) without children to look after, that must be exhausting . Not sure about triple test (I live abroad and unsure of wording here), this one was to check the main things like HIV, hepatitis, syphallis etc (nice!) and blood values (iron), then urine for infections. Is that what a triple blood test is? Wonderful that your baby's moving already .

Where we are it has all changed since my last child 4 years ago. I have had a combined test. That is the nuchal fold test combined with your age and a blood test (taken on the day of your 12 week scan)

You will have routine bloods to assess iron level, blood group etc. They can essentially be done anytime.

The triple test (which gives a risk factor for Downs syndrom +2others) is done in quite a narrow time window for it to be properly accurate - to the extent that I had to adjust my appointment as my scan dates were a week different to LMP dates.

I could of course be wrong though (my MW was a bit of a liability)

Hiya. I had routine bloods at 12 weeks can (which was actually 14+2 weeks) but was told downs syndrome screening blood test had to be done at 15 weeks - so had to go back 5 days later for another test.

sorry 12 week Scan

oh bloody hell if what you say is true, and I am sure it is, I am now 17 weeks...
will call today!

Har, no not my third, my second. yes enjoy. not much of a problem looking after another child tbh, although slightly more tiring, worse thing is for me having a much more relaxed DH who things that is all easy now and I don't need as many cuddles and care as first time as I've all done before! a much needed chat is planned for this week-end!

okay I have read the leaflet they sent me and I want to scream.

blood test between 10 and 18 week. fine.

nuchal scan betweek 10 and 13. not fine.

combined screening between 10 and 15. not fine.

much choice they've given me this time!! very very

I have spoken to midwife who tried to tell me that the nuchal scan is never offered by the NHS for the under 35. my leaflet however says that the'll offer it to you if triple test shows a high risk. are you people all over 35?

she said they are very busy! surprise surpsrise. at least she was really lovely.

I'm 27 and being offered nuchal scan if I want it. Have to pay though. Do you think it's a good thing to do if you have the opportunity? Am thinking of doing it mainly because otherwise I won't have an ultrasound till 18 weeks and am desperate to see something in there!

oh Har I do not know. Last pg the risk was low so I did not dwell too much about it and did not do it. also had first scan very late and was desperate to 'see' smthng. Not sure what you 'see' with nuchal though. I assume not much. If the risk was high I'd do it I think although one should think what you'd do with the results really.

where about are you? My italian friend would die if they knew how relaxed the attitude to pg is here. there they all use private gynecologist and have a scan a month and all tests done. That's common for most people while here I know very few who go private.

I'm in Sweden and in the city where I live there aren't really any private facilities (I'm going to a semi-private place that my gynae recommended as the state service for this city does very little testing, less than what is mandatory in the capital). The midwife yesterday spoke of Italy and Germany where you're scanned every appointment, she was very scathing (here just one ultrasound at 18 weeks) but I thought it sounded blissful . As far as I know the nuchal test is an ultrasound and at about 11-12 weeks so I presumed I would therefore be able to see the baby like in a normal ultrasound. Is that not right? I agree about the results thing, impossible to know what one would do, especially when there are stories of someone being told there is something wrong with their child and then, once it's too late, finding out that the baby was fine. Awful. Maybe I should just pay for an extra ultrasound at 12 weeks rather than doing the nuchal thing. As for the age limit, I thought that after 35 you were advised to do the invasive amniotic test (sorry can't remember the name) and so the nuchal scan was good for those under 35 where the risk was lower and therefore the result didn't need to be as exact.

har you know a lot more than me. you are right about the nuchal and the amnio as well. god I forgot all I read first time round! it seems to me that not just every country does different things but every hospital as well! oh well we all will have to go with the flow I guess. are you swedish?

I had the combined test last week ast 12 weeks plus 4. I think you can have it upto 13 weeks plus 6. Please think carefully about having these tests. I now wish I hadn't as I have come out as a high risk of Downs Syndrome baby.

cece I read your thread just a minute ago and I agree with you. I don't know what I'd do TBH but I think I'd want to know. again amnio is much more common practice in italy but I am not sure. will have blood test next week. The baby is moving already so very attached. but i think I'd want to be 'prepared' (which is the most stupid term to use in regards to have children, any children IMO).