What tests do I ask for?

milomia · October 2013

Hi-I went in at 7 wks for my u/s and my dr didn't mention much except for 1) everything looks fine-heartbeat was good 2) can't tell the exact wks at this point bc it's too small. Shouldn't I be getting blood tests to know this for sure (weeks) and possibly other tests to make sure my baby is ok? I go back at 9 wks. I'm 36...

Thank you!

dragonfly711 · October 2013

When I went for my first US all I had was the ultrasound done at 7 weeks. You can see if he will check your progesterone and HCG levels but my Dr didn't with my first and I was 38. Some Dr dont so this.

Now that I MC back in February and I am almost 40 he is checking levels.

Only way to tell how many weeks is via ultrasound. Dr usually will ask you hen your last period was to dtermine how many weeks and then will comfirm w ultrasound. Might get a better view at 9 weeks.

Guennie · October 2013

Agree with pp. Your dr prob didn't order blood tests because you were already so far along and the u/s would confirm your pregnancy. Unless you had suffered a previous loss a lot of drs won't order any blood tests. And it's still too early to date the pregnancy via u/s so that should happen at your next visit. If you have reasons to be concerned about your levels you should voice your concerns to your dr, otherwise congrats on your pregnancy and try to relax about all the age related stuff, 36 is really not that old!

milomia · October 2013

Thank you! I thought perhaps my blood sugar, cholesterol etc would also be sthng to check but I guess it's not the norm. At what point and what exactly do I ask for with regards to chromosomal abnormality testing?

Guennie · October 2013

Those tests should automatically be offered to you because of your age, which they refer to as AMA (advanced maternal age). They won't do any of that until you are a bit farther along. I suggest asking your insurance what they cover because not all ins companies cover the testing, especially the newer tests being offered. But your dr should be very familiar with what/when to test.

jbelle · October 2013

Guennie said:

Those tests should automatically be offered to you because of your age, which they refer to as AMA (advanced maternal age). They won't do any of that until you are a bit farther along. I suggest asking your insurance what they cover because not all ins companies cover the testing, especially the newer tests being offered. But your dr should be very familiar with what/when to test.

Ditto this, but I wouldn't necessarily assume your doc is intimately familiar with what tests are available nor when you can take them. We were made aware genetic testing (in general) was available and given contact information for that office. We had to make an appointment with a genetic counselor to go over all the options, she gave us the insurance codes so we could call about coverage, and then we made the appointments for blood draws, ultrasounds, etc. Our test results came directly from that office, not our doctor's office.

I had my blood drawn for the Verifi test at 10w2d, so if you're not going back to your doc before then, you may want to call and ask how your doc's office handles these things. Whatever you're comfortable with.

StephPV · October 2013

I didnt have any blood drawn until 10.5 weeks and then thr took 4 viles to knock everythingbout at once.

kelley72 · October 2013

typically the blood tests that I am familiar with are done between 11wks and 13 wks. I hope you have a wonderful pregnancy! NT ultrasound done some time frame.

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