Is Blood Work Necessary?

Question

So, I have several friends who have had babies that told me it’s important to go get blood work drawn to make sure my levels are rising. I have both a general practitioner and a OBGYN from some issues I had a while ago. I called my OBGYN to see if they did blood testing, and they said they wouldn’t see me until I was 8-10 weeks along, so we got that appointment schedule for July 16 (8 weeks). I called my primary care physician and they acted like I was crazy for wanting blood drawn and asked why I didn’t just go to my OBGYN. I explained what they said, and they said they didn’t think I really need to get my blood drawn. This is my first pregnancy, so I’m just really confused on what I’m supposed to do 😅 I keep testing every couple of days, and the line keeps getting darker, so that’s the only reassurance I have right now. 
Thoughts?

Answer

Not necessary unless you’re bleeding, have had a loss, or other medical reasons. If youre healthy and haven’t had a loss there is no reason for blood levels to be done.

Answer

Mine doesn't do it unless you're high risk or having symptoms of miscarriage, or history of miscarriage. Even if they find something wrong with your levels, there's nothing they can do to help you, and by 8 weeks they should be able to find a heartbeat on ultrasound anyway, which would make the bloodwork a moot point.

Answer

No it’s not necessary

Answer

the only time i’ve known you get frequent blood draws for that purpose to know that levels are going up is if you start out at a fertility clinic

Answer

Yep, they told me the same thing. With my first the office I went to was great and checked my HCG before my appointment to make sure I didn't need progesterone or anything to keep baby alive.
Now with my second (I'm in a new location and new network), they said the only way they do an HCG blood draw is if I have bleeding. Which makes no sense, because if I had bleeding then there's not much you can do at that point if I'm miscarrying. 
I guess you could always say you saw some spotting and want it done? It's your baby and your pregnancy! They should do it if you want.

Answer

I didn’t have mine tracked, but my husband wanted blood serum confirmation (he was trying not to get his hopes up because we had been trying for so long) and my OB office wouldn’t do that (they also wouldn’t see me till. I was 8 weeks along). So i called my PCP and she got me in that day to do the blood serum HCG test. I told her it was for peace of mind and she had no issue with that. Of course that was last year before all this covid stuff so offices might be a little less willing to have people come in for something they might consider unnecessary.

Answer

It depends on your obgyn office. My office said I could come in anytime to confirm my pregnancy after I took a test at home, so i went at 5 weeks. At this appointment, they did a urine test and a blood test (which checked my hcg level and progesterone). After this appointment, the “official” first prenatal appointment was at the 8 week mark. This is where they did an ultrasound and another blood draw to determine your due date. I suppose not all offices do the blood draw, but I’d say it’s pretty routine. For the hcg you actually get the blood drawn, and go in again for another blood draw 2-3 days later. That way they can compare levels and make sure they’re increasing.

Answer

No. I never had mine tracked.

Answer

Totally unnecessary

Answer

Nope never had mine tracked (UK)

Is Blood Work Necessary?

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