question about platelet count

I was just talking with a friend of mine who is expecting. She said her midwife did some routine blood work and her platelet count came back low (she's only 18 wks. along). I guess I don't know much about this, except I know it's different than your iron count and it has something to do with blood clotting. Well, it made me wonder if my blood has ever been tested for this. Is this something routine that all doctors check for? This next week I'll be having my glucose test and I think they'll check my iron levels too. Do you think this is also when they check your platelet count? If I had it done for my other pregnancies, maybe it just came back normal and it wasn't something I needed to know about??

 

I was just talking with a friend of mine who is expecting. She said her midwife did some routine blood work and her platelet count came back low (she's only 18 wks. along). I guess I don't know much about this, except I know it's different than your iron count and it has something to do with blood clotting. Well, it made me wonder if my blood has ever been tested for this. Is this something routine that all doctors check for? This next week I'll be having my glucose test and I think they'll check my iron levels too. Do you think this is also when they check your platelet count? If I had it done for my other pregnancies, maybe it just came back normal and it wasn't something I needed to know about??

 

The only thing I know about platelets is that my sis-in-law's were too low to get an epidural. She was told this in the middle of labor, and she was NOT happy about the fact they just told her she was going to give birth naturally. I have no idea when they check it...I don't remember anyone mentioning it while I was pregnant with my ds either. hmmm...

Reyna

 

platelets are routinely checked with the CBC...I know they do this a couple of times during pregnancy. And yes they do have to do with clotting.

 

Well this link gives a pretty good explanation of what low platelets could mean low platelet I dont know how often your platelets are checked in pregnancy. Mine though was checekd many times though since i had a history of severe preeclampsia. Right before i had ds I was on watch for HELLP syndrome because my platelets had dropped. At the time of the twins delivery I was told that I had HELLP syndrome as well, which is evident when your platelets drop really really low. It would be rare for your friend to already be showing signs of HELLP syndrome but it is STILL possible. Do you know how her blood pressure is? Or if she is having pain on her right side under her breast?
Anyways, unless there is a problem you generally wont be told the results of your platelet or other testing done.