Why do I have to have an urgent appointment to discuss booking bloods results?

[dreamerkr]

Hey guys. I’m currently almost 13 weeks pregnant and I had my blood tests the day before yesterday with the midwife for my booking appointment. I received a call earlier today saying I have to go into the antenatal clinic to discuss my booking bloods results with the nurse on Tuesday (in 3 days). Does anyone have a clue why this may be? I’m worrying so much now, thinking of what could be abnormal in my blood results. At first I was thinking it could be a vitamin or iron deficiency because I just started taking my pregnancy vitamins recently because my sickness just got better. A few months ago my vitamin D was really really low so could it possibly be that? But surely if it was a vitamin deficiency the GP would have contacted me instead of the hospital? I’m so scared thinking of the worst possible scenario. What do the booking blood tests look at? Down’s syndrome etc too? Could it be linked to that?

Has anyone ever been called into the hospital to talk about their bloods that they had at their booking appt? Terrified :(

Most likely it is an iron deficiency or similar and they just want to give you a prescription for supplements. Alternatively you could have a negative blood type and they want to discuss anti-D injections.

Much less likely scenarios include detection of a bloodborne infection like HIV or hepatitis, sickle cell trait, or possibly high risk for foetal chromosomal disorders.

Basically, it could be related to any of the things they test for, and they test for a lot of things!

I probably do have an iron and vitamin D deficiency because I just started taking my vitamins a few days back and I’m 13 weeks now. I’m stressing so much though, I have no idea what to expect! Is this blood test the same one that looks at Down’s syndrome etc or is that a different one? I haven’t had my 12 week scan yet, it’s next Friday when I’ll be almost 14 weeks.

Do you know what the blood test (I’m guessing it’s the routine blood test) at booking appt tests? :(

Also, I did have sickle cell trait when I was younger (guessing I still must have it now). I don’t know anything about it at all, but I did have it. Is it serious?

It’s probably this. Did you tell them about it when they took the bloods? They may consider offering your partner screening too to evaluate the risk of your child having sickle cell

I didn’t know I was supposed to tell them. They must have it in their records, right? And I’m pretty sure that my partner doesn’t have it. Is it serious?

Hi OP, they almost certainly want to talk about the sickle cell trait - it is something that you are born with and have for life so if you had it before you will still have it now.

It matters because IF the baby's father also has sickle cell trait, then there is a 1 in 4 chance that the baby will have sickle cell anaemia, which can cause some problems and may need treatment. Most likely they will want to do a blood test on the father.

If the father does NOT have sickle cell trait there is no chance of the baby having sickle cell anaemia so you won't need to worry about it xx

Did your midwife not discuss the booking bloods with you? What they were taking, consent etc? Also, no it won't be looking at chromosomal disorders. That's what the combined screening does at 11-14 weeks. Again, some form of discussion/consent should have taken place regarding this.

Weirdly they don’t usually look into your medical history - they expect you to tell them. So they’ve probably called you in for an emergency appt because they’re expecting this to be a surprise to you.

Thank you so much for your reply. I’m pretty sure my husband doesn’t have sickle cell trait, so there would be nothing to worry about? I’m sorry for so many questions :(

My midwife didn’t discuss what the bloods were looking at, the appointment was actually so rushed! I was worrying so much about the chromosomal disorders, and yep then I realised that I haven’t been tested for those yet.

I had no idea that I was supposed to tell them this and honestly speaking, I forgot that I even have sickle cell trait as I haven’t ever had a problem with it.

Ask your husband if he’s ever been tested for it. If he has, and knows he isn’t a carrier then there’s nothing to worry about. If he’s never been tested, there’s no harm in getting the test

Sickle cell trait doesn't usually cause any problems but sickle cell anaemia is more serious, that's while they'll want to talk to you and see if the baby's dad also has sickle cell trait.

I know all Doctors surgery's are different but I would have thought that something like iron deficiency could be spoken about over the phone. Mine was really low at booking and they literally just sent a prescription to the pharmacy and the first I knew about it was the pharmacy texting me to say my prescription was ready. 2 days later the midwife rang to tell me and check I'd been to get it.

I haven't got much advice op, other than I was in the same boat as you once. I came home from work to find a note posted through my door from the midwife to attend a consultant review in a few days times. I spent the night worried sick, until I was able to ring her the next day. There was a problem with my bloods. Luckily everything was OK, I was monitored and had growth scans for the rest of my pregnancy. This was however a bit further along, I was approaching 20 weeks. I think it may be to do with the sickle cell. Can you ring your midwife more info? Hope all goes well for you.

Thanks guys :(

I’m almost 18 weeks and just been toLd my iron is dropping I was told this over the phone and that I needed an urgent same day app To check my iron stores whihc was done today. So I doubt they would panic you over iron like that!! Is it the test they check for HIV by any chance? Not saying it is but Iv never had this before even earlier on when my iron was low tbey actually text me to say my iron is low and tablets are at the pharmacy for me. They do not check for chromosomes abnormalities at this stage or in this way unless you pay private for a NIPT test at 10 weeks pregnant or around that stage

Did you find out what it was about? Hope all is okay x

It was about the sickle cell trait, my husband got a blood test today hopefully all will be good as no one in his family has it. Fingers crossed x

Fingers crossed for you 🤞

So... I got a call today from the nurse telling me that DH does in fact have sickle cell trait too. What are the chances?! I’ve been really upset since I found out as we tried for so long to get pregnant after 3 miscarriages. I know I don’t want to get any further testing done but honestly I have no idea how to feel about this. I’m scared as hell tbh and I have the worst headache since I found out. I know the risk of the baby having sickle cell disease is 1 in 4 but that’s a pretty high risk I would say! Any advice? :(

Bump

Sorry to hear that OP, what bad luck. I'm afraid I don't have any advice as I haven't been in this situation but want to offer you a handhold. What I will say is that I know people with sickle cell disease live full and happy lives, so please don't think that your baby is doomed xx

I would bet there's online communities of folks with sickle cell disease - you could explain your situation and ask them to share their experiences - they might reassure you. You could also ask to talk to your doctor about what sickle cell disease entails.

Further down the line, if you choose to have another baby, you may be able to have pre-implantation screening. This would ensure that the embryo does not have sickle cell disease before you become pregnant. Again, you'd want to speak to a doctor about this.

Sorry again OP, what a horrible shock for you xx

So sorry Op. didn’t want to read and run.

I really hope the best for you. It’s not a death sentence for your baby and I know someone with sickle cell - they’re an accountant.