Why do I need a torch test?

[Missguidedsmiles]

Hey people's 👋

I'm a anxiety head so I'm a little over worried and don't want to bother my midwife with questions..

Hopefully a lovely person on this net could help me discover a few answers..

Long story short..

I am 31 weeks pregnant, my baby is weighing 4.6oz and I have a little extra amniotic fluid then I should (guessing due to having a big boy)..

I have previously done a GTT diabetes test and passed at 24 weeks..
They now would like me to do one again and a TORCH test..

I understand the GTT
BUT
I don't understand why they would need a torch test at 31 weeks due to having a big baby?

Could anybody explain this to me?
I'd be really grateful 🙏🥲

Please no negative comments I'm quite delicate at the moment

Sorry but no one is going to have a definitive answer as it all relates to your own body on why you need it. I don't understand why you can't ask your midwife? At least you'll 100% know the facts x

I had the same situation with my son. Blood test reasoning for me was to screen for any infections which could cause the extra fluid. Mine came back as I had no immunity to rubella so I had to have repeat vaccines after baby was born. Just to rule things out and nothing to worry about in my experience x

@catcat709 mostly because I feel like I'm burdening with questions..it's an anxiety thing.

@OrangeSmartiesTasteDifferent thankyou so much, it's nice to see someone who can relate! If you dont mind me asking..did you manage to have a natural birth or did you need a ceseran? Did he come out big?

Yes I can definitely relate and it's a super anxious time isn't it. I had a section but he was my 2nd baby which played a part. My first was 10lb2 emergency section so as I didn't go into labour naturally after 2 sweeps I opted for another section. He was 9lb9 but 2 weeks earlier than my first x

It's her job to answer your questions and make sure you understand what they want to do and why - otherwise you can't provide valid consent.

It's not a burden.

@OrangeSmartiesTasteDifferent 110% especially being a first time mum!
Gosh they weighed big at 10lb 2! Did they go straight into 0-3months clothes? How was your recoveries? Some people say they are quick and up and about others say they are painful x

Torch infections can cause oligohydramnios. That is likely by they are screening

I also had this OP at about 32 weeks, due to increased amniotic fluid. There are some infections that can cause increased fluid so they will want to rule those out. My fluid naturally decreased as the weeks went on and baby wasn’t as big as they predicted!

@UpUpUpU I've been told there's a little extra amniotic fluid x

@Cdoc thankyou for your response x

You will be absolutely fine. I have terrible health anxiety and googled for hours when I was told about the increased fluid. In hindsight a lot of wasted time worrying, but it’s easy to say that now. They may monitor you with extra scans but I just saw that as extra opportunities to see my baby :) x

@Cdoc love that you can relate! I've literally been sat here for the last 4 hours doing just that! Googling! They say it's the worst thing to do! Been told il have extra scans! Haha that's a good way of looking at it! Just hoping everything turns out fine! Thankyou for being super positivity! X

Honestly I completely understand! In my head I was already calling the ambulance due to waters breaking at home and the risk of cord prolapse. But really just take it day by day. And scan by scan. Like I said my fluid naturally came down so it’s definitely possible! Positivity is the best way to help with the awful thoughts x let us know how everything goes

As someone who works in obstetrics - please, please, please never feel bad about asking questions, or feel that you can't or are a burden, it's literally our job to look after you. I'd rather answer a few questions 10 times over and reassure the patient than know they are sitting there worrying. I know some docs/mws are ... less approachable to put it nicely, but you can always deselect and see someone else (again something I would rather a patient do if for whatever reason they weren't comfortable with me).