[usmcmommytobe]

I went to the Doctor today and they took 7 vials of blood and urine specimen i know they told me they are doing Rh testing but does anyone know why they took so much blood what other tests were they doing , & they told me i need to get used to it i hate needles is there alot of blood that needs to drawn during pregnancy ?

Thank you in advance ladies!

[.h00dihoo.this.]

i believe the first set is genetic testing, anemia and such and some other things that I can't explain LOL... i was looking on the paperwork, i just did mine last week..

after 20 weeks they do the glucose testing .. if you fail it.. then they will have you do the 3 hour test.. where you get there.. get blood drawn after drinking something.. an hour later.. blood drawn again... an hour later blood drawn again.. and then 1 more time before you leave.. so a total of 4 times.. that's if you do not past the first test.. the first test you only get pricked once after drinking some crap

[MomtoCarly&Sofia]

I remember them taking a lot in my other pregnancies, but so far I've gotten away with no blood work. I felt like I was always in the lab getting blood drawn with my other pregnancies. So unfortunately I think you'll be getting used to it. I hate needles too.

[BlndGrl8]

Oh wow that does sound like alot! I only remember having blood drawn twice in my last pregnancy!

[mommy x 10]

I think they normally take blood twice on me. And I can't remember if they did drew blood before my rhogam shot with that 2nd set of bloodwork or if that was another stick. And then the glucose test, which I don't do now, since I already monitor my blood sugar.

[Klopez87]

When I had my first prenatal visit I was sent to the lab for blood work and that was the only time they took a significant amount...the only other time they've taken blood so far was just to confirm my blood was rh negative to give me the rohgam shot because of my spotting. But I know I'll have more blood drawn within the next few wks to go along with the bun scan/US to determine wether or not the baby is at risk for downs or another genetic disorder. Just remember its all done to make sure everything is fine with you and baby

[Almondeyes]

That does sound a lot, but when I had my first blood work (please keep in mind that I am high risk) they took 42 vials from me. I didn't know what I was in for till I started counting the bottles. I saw the check marks but didn't know that each one had a different amount of vials. The vials were also different sizes, some big but mostly small. I even asked the tech how much was taken from me and she told me that it was about a pint or less. So, it was like me giving blood for the blood bank. One thing I am glad is, I filled up on water as they told me to do at the doctor and at the lab. I have to say I was prepared and afterwards I felt fine. I know, its insane, but this time around, I wanted to make sure everything is fine with me and this pregnancy and would do it again if need be. Crazy things we do to have a healthy baby.

[~Tanya~]

When I got mine done this time they took about 6 vials... In our state (I don't know if it's the same everywhere) there are certain STD's they are required by law to check for & also a titer for one of the diseases we are vaccinated for as children (I can't remember which). In addition they do a quant HCG (I didn't have to get this one because I had already had an u/s)...

I think the only other one that is scheduled is the one that goes along with the NT scan & then the quad screen at 16 weeks (neither of these are required tests though).

[cindy6]

I had 8 vials taken my 1st visit, I thought she was never going to be done!

[LindsayGriff]

They have to draw lots of vials because sometimes each test requires a different tube because each tube has a different processing medium in it. For me they did a type and screen which requires its own tube, that is testing for the Rh factor and your blood type. They did a CBC which has its own tube, that is testing whether you are anemic or not, they did hep B surface antigen and RPR which tests for syphylis and hepatitis B which are required in my state. They test for rubella titer to see if you have ever had rubella or been vacinated for it, and some if you say you have never had chickenpox they will check for the chickenpox titer. Some places require an HIV test and some places do this a a blood test, mine was done as a saliva swab. Some doctors will check your glucose and some will also check your thyroid. To get the above tests you need at least 4 seperate vials and sometimes they take multiples of each vial to make sure they have enough to run all the tests and sometimes only one test can run on each vial depending on the type of test because sometimes places have to mail out the test because their lab doesn't do the test.

[ericswife11]

i also hate being stuck. I feel like I was getting blood drawn all the time when I was pregnant with DS. ive had blood drawn 3 times so far. Twice to check my betas and once for generic testing. I think that's right. Maybe its been 4 but yeah its something i have gotten used to. i just tell who ever is takingmy blood that I am afraid of needles and look away and play with my phone in the other hand.

[BellaRN]

That does sound like alot. They drew my blood last visit and only did 3 vials.

[mrs.wagner.10]

They have only taken blood from me once. I told the nurse i hated needles and she said sweetie your pregnant you better get use to the needles, There are a lot more things that are going to hurt then getting stuck with a needle. She was such a Bi***. LOL

[MommaHarvey]

At my first appt they took 5 vials from me, but I don't have to do the RH factor test because I already know that I"m RH-. With DS they only took blood once at the first visit and then for the glucose test. I think the only other reason you may have to have more labs done is if you end up being high risk or anemic.