Different tests?

Hey all! So I was just realizing the past few days that I haven't had any kind of tests done on me since I was about 8 weeks pregnant. Then it was just the HIV, Blood type, all other std type tests. I haven't had any genetic testing done or the gestational diabetes (I believe that's the glucose test?). I'm just wanting to hear what testing you all had done and the approximate time frame. I am going to the doctor on Wednesday for my "twins clinic" appointment, but all they ever do there is a vague ultrasound to see if they both have heartbeats. This is the only doctor I see (and the doctors rotate every 6 weeks, so I'm on my 4th doctor already- gotta love the military).

I just feel like I haven't gotten any of the testing that most of you have.

Oh BTW, I will 28 weeks on Friday, so 2 days after my appointment.

I want to make sure I have a list of tests that maybe I should ask about getting.

Maybe this list will help you show what tests I have gotten:

04/21/2009 URINALYSIS, AUTOMATED (WITH MICROSCOPY IF INDICATED, NO CULTURE)

04/21/2009 URINALYSIS, MICROSCOPIC (CULTURE IF INDICATED)

03/03/2009 GONORRHEA SCREEN (STATE HEALTH LABORATORY)

02/09/2009 URINALYSIS, AUTOMATED (WITH MICROSCOPY IF INDICATED, NO CULTURE)

02/09/2009 URINALYSIS, MICROSCOPIC (CULTURE IF INDICATED)

02/09/2009 CBC (COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT) WITHOUT DIFFERENTIAL

02/09/2009 RUBELLA PRENATAL

02/09/2009 TYPE AND SCREEN, PRENATAL

 

I don't remember getting any genetic testing either but my glucose test was at approx. 25 weeks. :good: I hope someone comes along with a better memory. :blush:

 

Thanks! It seems like I read some where that it should be done between 24 & 28 weeks, but I've read so much that I tend to forget where I've read.

I'm slightly worried about the glucose test because I have 3 older sisters, 1 of them had gestational diabetes in the last 2 of her 5 children. Then another sister had it with her 3rd of 3 children. My mom had it with only me out of the 4 of us. I'm not sure if it's genetic at all, but I'd just like to make sure.

Hopefully more people come along that remember their testing!

 

I had a glucose test around 12 weeks. I think at 13 weeks I had the triple quad and at 15 weeks had the alpha feta protein. I see a dr. every 2 weeks.

 

What is the triple quad and alpha feta protein?

 

I was actually thinking about this the other day!!! I had the blood type, std all that stuff around 8 weeks and since then I have only had the glucose test bc my mom is diabetic.... i have an appointment monday and will be asking my dr bc i kno theres more! and im 25 weeks now

 

Way back in the begninning (12 weeks or so) I had a complete blood screenin done with tests for many STDs & the Rh factor. I also declined the "triple test" at around 12 weeks (detects down's syndrome, spina bifida, etc. diagnostically)... took my gestastional diabetes test at 26 weeks; also an iron test at 28 weeks. I highly recommend the iron test as it revealed anemia, which can affect your energy level and is plain-old not good for when they are born. My OB just started with regular urine testing, which I thought was a little weird, seeing that I'm 30 weeks now.

I'm really not sure the standard of care, my insurance seems pretty crappy. The What To Expect When You're Expecting book is really good at letting you know what should happen when.

Michelle

 

Shoot I wish I could remember my appointments!
I believe that I also had quite a few appointments around 15-20 weeks??
I do know that I was seeing my OB every other week at that point ~ sorry this isn't much help :blush:

Good luck & hope you get some good responses :good:

 

genetic tests are optional....you may have decided not to do them at the beginning without realizing that is what you said no to....my midwives do the glucose test at 28 weeks..i get it twice (i had it done at 9 weeks with a first nurse visit) because i have a history of diabetes in my family and i'm overweight...i passed both times...i did the genetic test that involved the u/s at 12 weeks because i wanted to see the baby (we didn't know it was twins before then) and that's when we found out it was twins and they were both growing well...personally, i like having less testing and monitoring...i only get a growth u/s every 4 weeks...the only nst's i've had i asked for...i went to l&d 3 times and they monitor when you go in there, but that's all right with me....i'll be done in less than 2 weeks..my section is scheduled for the 31st....i'm not having to do any extra nst's or blood draws or anything...i had my gbs test done at my appointment this past friday...on thursday i have a growth u/s..on friday i have my presurgery appt with the doc...no other testing is needed at this point i think...your doc may just like doing things "less invasive"...the midwives didn't start measuring me til i was over 30 weeks along (doing fundal height)...

 

I havent had any tests other than blood tests early on and another set of labs to checks everything w (including iron) around 20 weeks. I'm expecting my glucose test at my next appt -- which will be around 29 weeks since my doctor is away at 28.

 

I know I never declined the genetic testing. When I switched to the military insurance, they have been the same type of appointment every single time. I go in, lay down, they do a quick ultrasound to check for heart beats, ask if I have any questions, then send me on my way. Never more than 5 minutes. Two times they checked my cervix, but haven't again in almost 2 months. I've had 2 u/s with them, one at 20 weeks and one at 24. I have another scheduled at 28 weeks. I know the babies' growth has been fine so far. Last time they were 43rd percentile and 50th percentile.

I'm glad to know the genetic testing are really just optional, but I do want to find out more about the glucose test when I go on Wednesday.

 

I know I never declined the genetic testing. When I switched to the military insurance, they have been the same type of appointment every single time. I go in, lay down, they do a quick ultrasound to check for heart beats, ask if I have any questions, then send me on my way. Never more than 5 minutes. Two times they checked my cervix, but haven't again in almost 2 months. I've had 2 u/s with them, one at 20 weeks and one at 24. I have another scheduled at 28 weeks. I know the babies' growth has been fine so far. Last time they were 43rd percentile and 50th percentile.

I'm glad to know the genetic testing are really just optional, but I do want to find out more about the glucose test when I go on Wednesday.

 

I just did my glucose test at 21 weeks. I have had 2 ultrasounds so far and have 5 more scheduled from now to October. Roughly every 2 -3 weeks. I also will start seeing my OB every 2 -3 weeks. I did all the STD testing and the genetics testing around the 8 week mark but the results never made it to my doctor so I just redid all that testing minus the genetic testing when I did my glucose testing. Other then that I don't think he will send me for more testing. Maybe for my iron levels as he does not want me to get anemia which he told me is common in multiple pregnancy.
I also do a urine test everytime I go into see my OB.

 

Genetic testing is not recommended in all cases, especially if you're under a certain age which it sounds like you are. I think they usually recommend it if maternal age is over 35 and in cases of people who have certain family histories or who have had problems in the past. I knew of the genetic testing and it was mentioned but I'm under 35 and didnt have any other issues that would call for it, so it was not offered to me, per se.

If your pregnancy is progressing normally, I dont think there is much more to it than what you're getting. Pretty much sounds like my appointments. They should probably be checking your blood pressure and urine on every visit, but other than that, there's not much else to do unless you're having problems. In fact, I had to remind my OB last week that his nurse wasnt checking my BP. He called me a "lying toe rag" but then looked at his charts and realized he didnt have BP measurements and promised not to miss it again. Definitely check to see when they'll do the glucose test but everything else sounds pretty normal to me. I think that things tend to get a bit more intense after 28 weeks but they wont bother you too much before that time if you're healthy and the babies seem content.

 

Do they do growth scans on you at all? (Takes about 20 minutes with u/s, measuring everything- reminds me of 10th grade Geometry class-Auto Cad drawing, LOL). Also, can you go to a peri? They are the ones that usually do my scans. I wouldn't think they'd have one on base, but maybe b/c of that you can choose your own & they will pay!

Good luck!

Michelle

 

Are you serious???? Holy crap, I would have smacked him!! :catfight:

I agree that the What to Expect book is really good with telling you what to expect at each appointment. I got my GD test at 28 weeks, had a few blood tests before that to check for the possibility of genetic disorders (I'm over 35). I see a specialist every 2-3 weeks for ultrasounds; my OB appointments are pretty much like yours - pee in a cup, get my weight and BP, fundal height, fetal heartbeats and ask questions if I have them. Rarely more than 10 minutes (and only over that if I have questions!).

 

I had all of the routine bloodwork at the beginning. My OB does glucose test between 24 and 28 weeks. I opted out of any genetic testing... especially as some of the tests are not as reliable when carrying twins. I've had u/s every visit and growth u/s about every 4 weeks (scheduled for my next one this week). My doctor started manually checking cervix for dialation at 31 weeks (via u/s, my cervix was never shorter than 3 so there was no need). My non-stress tests (NSTs) start tomorrow - at 33 weeks, as do my twice per week visits. On Thursdays I will also have the biophysical u/s of the babies.

I think I will take a year hiatus from the doctor after my six-month follow up!!