How many blood draws during pregnancy?

[vtdiamond]

I just got back from having my ob panel blood work drawn. My ob asked that I get it done prior to my first appointment so she could review the results with me at the appointment.

I am a very tough stick, so after 5 sticks over one hour she was only able to fill 4 of the 8 tubes that were needed. Needless to say it going to be a long 9 months if I have to get a lot of blood drawn.

So how many blood draws have/will you have?

[bananapancakes]

I think I only had it done twice. Once for my prenatal screening at around 12 weeks and once for the gestational diabetes test around 30 weeks.

[missbella]

For standard purposes I have had 2. 1 at my first appt and 1 at 28 weeks for glucose test and to check iron. All total though, I have had 3 betas, 2 thyroid checks, and the 2 I mentioned so 7.

[SJ]

A LOT. I honestly don't even know what it was all for, but I feel like they have taken lots of blood.

[jewel]

So far, I've had 3 betas, 1st tri screening and second tri screening. I'm almost 20 weeks, so I'm not sure how many more I have in my future....

[jene]

I had the initial bloodwork at my 8 week appt, there was blood drawn for genetic screening twice, and then the GD test

[andthentherewere10]

9 wks and 12 wks (12 wks was optional - NT test). I had a finger prick at 35 weeks.

[andthentherewere10]

Oh, yeah, I forgot about the GD test. I failed the 1 hr so I had the 3hr which was a total of 4 sticks over the course of 3 hrs.

[vtdiamond]

Thanks ladies, sounds like not too many more and I am assuming (hoping) they won't need to large quantity like they needed for this first one!!

[Blue Moon]

Apr 14, 2014 18:00:24 GMT -5 jewel said:

So far, I've had 3 betas, 1st tri screening and second tri screening. I'm almost 20 weeks, so I'm not sure how many more I have in my future....

Exactly this. 

[statlerwaldorf]

I've had a lot, but I've been having trouble with my liver and have to get tests weekly. Not counting the liver tests, I had 3 betas, 2 tests as part of the genetic screening, glucose test, and 2 tests for anemia and other things.

[starlily]

Prior to 1st appointment - 1 draw, 9 vials taken

1st 1 hr GD test -1 draw

1st 3hr GD test - 4 draws

Verifi screening test- 1 draw

And I'll have to repeat the 1hr GD test in a couple weeks.

[Saudade]

Prenatal labs (12 weeks)

AFP screen (16 weeks)

GTT/Hgb/Hct (28 weeks)

There might be a repeat hgb/hct later to check my levels because my iron was low, but we'll see.

[chickadee77]

Not many. Beta 1, beta 2, first tri panel, M21, 2nd tri panel, and glucose. Betas and M21 were at my request, though. Not sure if there are more after glucose, but I don't think so...

[pinotgrig]

Trying to remember... There was one at the nt scan, one for the quad screen, and a finger stick to check iron levels at 28w. I think that was it for me.

Oh, and the glucose test.

[speckledfrog]

8 tubes? Damn!

I had two standard ones (8 weeks and 34-ish weeks) and then two for the NT screening.

[robinsbff]

4 times so far - one at the first appt (a few vials) then finger prick and a few drops for the NT scan and another vial for the quad scan at 20 weeks. the 4th is tomorrow - GD test in the am. i find that being well hydrated really helps when i need to have blood drawn.

[flamingeaux]

I just had my first of my every six week, thyroid blood draws today. I'm going to see, if I'll be able to combine some of the regular pregnancy and thyroid draws

Sent from my HTC One X using proboards

[mannah]

I've only had two--the original bloodworms prior to first appointment and then the glucose test. That is all that is scheduled for now unless something changes. If you have to have a lot more, that's great advice to to be super hydrated before hand. Sucks though--good luck

[tigress]

I've had 2, though it was supposed to be 3. After my initial visit I forgot to go down to the lab, but I was supposed to do it then. Then for the NT screen I was to have bloodwork 2 times. I don't think they'll do anymore, if I remember correctly.

[ringstrue]

So far:

8 week apt: 1 stick - 8 vials.
13 weeks: 1 stick - 5 vials.
16ish weeks? 1 stick - 1 vial.

These were all standard tests.

Then I don't think I have anymore til the end when I get the GD test.

[OrangeTree]

I've had three so far (one early when I had to go in for bleeding, one for the n/t and one for the full panel). I actually had the full panel done yesterday. I think they took at least 5 tubes. And I ended up fainting because I had a horrible lady that wouldn't let me lay down even after I warned her. Anyway, after I fainted, my doctor told me if all went well I'd only have two more draws. They said they could combine some of the ones later down the road to do less sticks. Maybe your office can do something similar if you remind your doctor of your problem veins. Good luck!

[mrspost08]

I couldn't even count. In the beginning I was getting betas a lot. I think I am done now until 24 weeks when I do the gd test.