I'm 12 weeks pregnant and had my booking appointment with my midwife at 8 weeks. The appointment for my first scan and blood/urine tests will be at 15 weeks, which seems rather late to me (the hospital said they just can't fit me in any sooner)! Do any of the tests need to be done any sooner than that?
2007-03-22 00:34:33 · 4 answers · asked by anchan 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
For the scan? I guess that's an understandable amount of time. With my last two pregnancies that made it out of the first trimester, though, I had a scan by 9-10 weeks. With my daughter the scan was done in the doctor's office and in a specialist's office (the doctor messed up the first scan and we had to have it redone two days later). An early ultrasound can be a preventative measure against complications from an ectopic pregnancy. Also, by 5-6 weeks the baby's heartbeat can be seen via transvaginal ultrasound. Ultrasounds are not all about the pregnant woman "seeing anything". While seeing the baby is nice, ultrasounds are diagnostic tools used to follow the progress of the pregnancy. Besides, seeing the baby's heartbeat was, for me, just as wonderful as seeing all the little details.
As for the blood work? That is incredibly late, in my opinion. I had a low progesterone level that was found when I was about 5 weeks along. With repeated blood tests, my levels were found to not be rising as they should have been, even though my hCG level was just fine. I was put on progesterone suppliments and everything is going fine now. If I hadn't been put on the suppliments, I could have lost the baby.
I believe that both the scan and the blood work are ABSOLUTELY necessary way before 15-16 weeks. If there is an ectopic pregnancy, waiting to deal with it until the tube is compromised could cause problems for the mother. If there is a problem with the progesterone levels, something can be done to help save the pregnancy. After losing a baby last year, I will always insist on blood work and scans being done very early in the pregnancy.
Good luck.
2007-03-22 01:07:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have just received an appointment for my first scan at 12 weeks. The leaflet that came with it described it as the 11-14 week scan. So I guess at 15 weeks you are a little late. My understanding is that it may be harder for them to date the baby as accurately at this stage, as after 14 weeks different feutus' start to grow at more rapidly different rates.
However, look on the bright side, the baby will be a lot bigger and more developed which means the scan will be far more interesting!!! you will be able to see a lot more clearly!!
If you are really concerned, discuss it with your midwife, and remember each area is different. I have had an appointment with my GP, but wont get a booking in appointment with a midwife until a couple of weeks after the scan!
2007-03-22 07:48:21 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Triple tests are always around done at 16 weeks. That is when they are most accurate.
2007-03-22 09:21:38 · answer #3 · answered by Ricecakes 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No they are really not necessary before 16weeks
2007-03-22 07:47:16 · answer #4 · answered by Bella 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋