Self referral and blood tests

[zeroseven1]

Hi there!

Having recently received a positive test, how long do you give it until self referring to your local hospital? Do you have to do this for the hospital you would use to give birth at or can this be changed at a later date?

I'm very interested about HCG levels to ensure not ectopic etc, sure a lot of people are, when do you get your first blood test?

Thanks!

In my area you're not tested for HCG levels or scanned from ectopic unless you are showing signs and symptoms of either miscarriage or ectopic.

I self referred around 5 or 6 weeks, booking in appointment and first bloods/ urine/BP around 8-10 weeks then my dating scan was booked for 13 weeks.

The blood test at that booking in appointment is just a basic one checking for certain infections, confirming not rhesus negative blood type, iron level etc. I'm not sure anyone even confirmed I was pregnant until the scan

Are you in the UK? There’s no blood test if so. You can let your GP know you’re pregnant and they will refer you, or you can self refer to midwives. Nobody checks though, you just tell them you’re pregnant and they take your word for it, nobody actually checks you are pregnant until you have first scan.

I told my GP at 6 weeks, then saw midwife at 10 weeks. Bloods at 12 weeks to check general levels, no hcg tests they’re not standard unless there is an issue

You don't need blood tests. You've had a positive test, you're pregnant. Most places you can self refer to your local midwifery team now - have a look online. You don't need to notify your GP. You'll have a booking appt at 8 weeks but so long as there is no reason for concern before then (significant pain, heavy bleeding) you don't need seeing beforehand. You can pay for a HCG privately if you're desperate but it's really not necessary.

I self referred online at 3 weeks, did my own blood testing privately. Met midwife at 10 weeks by which point I’d already had 2 early scans and my 12 week scan is booked for 13 weeks but I’m having the NIPT privately

As above. In the U.K. they will not test HCG unless you have symptoms of ectopic or miscarriage.

You can self refer to midwives but they won’t be interested until after 10 weeks or so.
You will have booking bloods and be referred for a 12/13 week scan.
It’s all very underwhelming quite honestly. But you can’t demand bloods just because you want to know, they can & will refuse. You can pay privately though.

Much the same as the other posters. I self referred to my local maternity hospital at 6 weeks. Had my first booking in appointment with midwife around 10 weeks, dating scan at 12 weeks and that was it for the first trimester.

This is my third baby and they have all gone this way, no one is interested in taking bloods to check HCG unless you have symptoms of ectopic. If you had bleeding/pains, the early pregnancy unit would probably see you but generally you have to be given an appointment etc.

There are private scan clinics all over the place who will scan you as early as 6 weeks to check viability, although I wouldn't recommend going this early and if you are really keen for an early reassurance scan I would wait until at least 8-9 weeks.