Intro and a question about betas/progesterone

babymama1212

Hello!  I've been around on the nest/bump for a while - but I just changed my screen name to start "fresh" with this pregnancy.  

 Question #1:  my obgyn has called in labs for me to get a blood draw (betas) and check my hormone (progesterone) levels.  This was done just because I asked if they traditionally do it... and she said, "if you want it... sure".  As we went on with the convo she said they don't traditionally do this blood draw unless you've had a previous loss (which we have not).  My frist appt is not until 8 weeks and some change.  

My insurance covers the blood draw and I can do it before work tomorrow... but is it overkill? Thoughts?

phoebebuffay101

If you want a definitive answer for if you are indeed pregnant I would go ahead and have it done. HPTs are now so accurate that most doctors don't need to confirm with bloodwork anymore. However, for peace of mind I would go ahead and do it.

I've had a beta drawn for each pregnancy I've had. This time I had more blood drawn because I lost my first 2 pregnancies and my doctor wanted to monitor my progress.

mwalliser

it depends...

Checking the beta numbers is really only going to mean anything if you have multiple draws several days apart to check to see how it's rising.  This is why they normally do it if you have had previous mc.  If they are going to do multiple ones then it will be a good way for you to monitor that everything is still going ok... some people want to know, others would rather not, that depends on you.  If they aren't doing multiple draws, then it's really just a blood test for pregnancy - which you are pretty sure about, so I don't see the point...

CCLoar

That is a choice only you can make. There is not harm getting them checked. I have had mine done 48 hours apart.

MrsT0522

I don't think it's overkill at all. I went in at (what I thought was) 7 weeks due to cramping, and they ran hormone labs. Turns out I was only 4 weeks, and my progesterone was SUPER low (3.1).

They started me on suppositories right away, and I took those until 12 weeks. I don't even want to think what would have happened had they not caught it. 

babymama1212

MrsT0522:

I don't think it's overkill at all. I went in at (what I thought was) 7 weeks due to cramping, and they ran hormone labs. Turns out I was only 4 weeks, and my progesterone was SUPER low (3.1).

They started me on suppositories right away, and I took those until 12 weeks. I don't even want to think what would have happened had they not caught it. 

 

...aaaaaand convinced.

thank you.