Anyone else not need a bhcg to confirm?

[LacePrincess]

Just curious, as it's the first time for me. Has anyone else's dr not bothered drawing a blood test to confirm pregnancy? With all my previous pregnancies I had a bhcg drawn within a day or so of a +HPT, but this time around with both my GP and midwife they told me to not bother coming in until 8 weeks.

Weird. I wonder if it's a new thing in Ontario (our health system is so overtaxed anyways), or if it's the fact that this will be #4 for me so everyone figures that I should know by now if I'm pregnant or not? LMAO!!! The cynical side of me figures they won't bother seeing me until 8 weeks anyways since most early losses happen before that point and are self resolving.

I hate blood tests anyways so it's not like I'm gonna request one, but now I'm POAS'ing like a freak. :( Good thing I do get m/s so I can feel more preggo, lol.

Just wondering if anyone else experienced this?

[Atsaukina1]

I've never had blood test to confirm prego but I usually don't go until later 13+weeks. I thought doc did blood test if 1. it's too early to tell by urine and 2. if they are worried if it is a viable pregnancy or not.

sure you'll be getting other blood test later lol if you choose(iron,aids,syphlis,hmm what else?)

[nuthinbutpink]

Never did with my natural pregnancies. Didn't even call the doctor until 6 weeks!

[Rosie85]

Nope, never. They did a test this time but not to confirm, it was for dating purposes.

[LacePrincess]

Ok then! Glad it's not just me. :) I figure getting a confirming blood test early on is just an excuse for them to give prenatal advice and what to do/not to do. Obviously, lol, by #4 I know by now!

I'll get all the usual labs done at my first appt , so all the standard stuff. I'm overdue for a pap too but I refuse to let my GP convince me to do it in the first tri again like she did last time, all the spotting afterwards was not worth the worry.

I've never had a Bhcg to confirm dates, it's too wide a range anyways, they've always dated it at the first u/s around 13-16 weeks. Drives me crazy because I always know when I O and it ticks ms off when I TELL them and they still insist on dating it from LMP, then have to change the dates at the u/s. That stupid wheel is really stupid!

[harleyquinn]

Well, the advantage of early bloods is if it is a loss, it is documented for insurance purposes. They also check your iron (at least for me?) because it can lead to probs down the road if you start out deficient. Also the progesterone in case you need some on board just in case. Maybe it is your age this time around? I don't know but its the drill for me.

[LacePrincess]

That's interesting, Harley, I didn't think of those factors.

This current GP does have my previous health records for my last 2 pregnancies anyways, so things like progesterone haven't been a factor. The insurance thing doesn't matter as in Ontario we have OHIP which is our universal health care system so we don't pay out of pocket anyways.

I will eventually get all the usual stuff drawn at the first appt I'm sure as standard SOP. I was just surprised this time around they didn't ask me to come in for confirmation. OTOH, I do find GP's around here are so overworked they double book like crazy, so it's not like my GP wants me to come in unnecessarily anyways!

I'm sure in Ontario it's probably a combination of me having had previous babies and overworked doctors and nurses.

[The Anchor]

I had bloods and a "dating scan" with my first pregnancy, I'm assuming because I was a newbie. Nothing at all for the 2 following pregnancies, first scan wasn't until the 12 week mark (nuchal).

[harleyquinn]

Im so sorry I totally misread your question, I thought you WERE getting a blood so my response makes no sense:rofl:

[LacePrincess]

LOL Harley, np. No, it's my first pregnancy where the doc hasn't asked me to come in same day to get the bhcg confirmed. With my others I've had a bhcg test within a day of my first +HPT.

It was just odd to me so I was curious if it was standard practice for anyone else. I also didn't have a first u/s with any of mine until 13-16 weeks, so it's so odd to me to see people that've had 2-3 u/s's by that point!

[Wanting-a-girl]

My experience with the dr this time is crazy... Maybe not crazy but so different then the other times.... No blood test I'm actually not getting any blood work till 12 weeks which I find crazy.... And I don't see an ob till 26 weeks this time!

[rainbowflower]

in the UK the doctors don't even bother testing your pee let alone a blood test. If you have a positive HPT they say that's good enough and just refer you straight to the MW

[Pangea]

It's the same here as in the UK, I have heard of other people whose GP has done a urine test, but they've never done one on me, they just took my word for it.
I'm thinking I probably won't bother going to the GP this time, I don't need a referral letter I can just book myself in to the hospital.

[LacePrincess]

Wanting, that is so weird! What province are you in? 26weeks is awful late, wow. I guess OB's must be in pretty high demand where you live?

Here in Ontario midwives haven't been provincially licensed with hospital privileges that long, so you have to get lucky to even get in with one. So that's why around here you have to call before the pee stick dries, because they book up so fast. But afaik even with an OB they start at 20 weeks in Ontario.

Unless things have changed, I should get two standard u/s, a 13-16 week dating/NT scan and the anatomy scan at around 20 weeks. I expect all the bloodwork stuff to be ordered at the appt at 8 weeks. I'm probably gonna pass on some of the screening stuff and gestational diabetes testing this time around though.

[Wanting-a-girl]

Wanting, that is so weird! What province are you in? 26weeks is awful late, wow. I guess OB's must be in pretty high demand where you live?

Here in Ontario midwives haven't been provincially licensed with hospital privileges that long, so you have to get lucky to even get in with one. So that's why around here you have to call before the pee stick dries, because they book up so fast. But afaik even with an OB they start at 20 weeks in Ontario.

Unless things have changed, I should get two standard u/s, a 13-16 week dating/NT scan and the anatomy scan at around 20 weeks. I expect all the bloodwork stuff to be ordered at the appt at 8 weeks. I'm probably gonna pass on some of the screening stuff and gestational diabetes testing this time around though.


I am in Ontario too and there are a few friends that are just a couple weeks apart am we all have to wait till 26 weeks its insane! For your NT scan do u get two u/s? Cause I'm getting two 1 is 11-13 weeks and the second is at 16 weeks

[cvd]

Sorry to butt in - I'm also in ontario. Just east of Toronto. I'm having a planned csection but I'm not seeing an OB till 32 weeks :| super late. Which I hate. I think with DS1 I started seeing one at 26 weeks.
I'm not sure if with csections its standard to see them later? I have a check up Monday. Maybe ill bring it up!

[cvd]

Ok then! Glad it's not just me. :) I figure getting a confirming blood test early on is just an excuse for them to give prenatal advice and what to do/not to do. Obviously, lol, by #4 I know by now!

I'll get all the usual labs done at my first appt , so all the standard stuff. I'm overdue for a pap too but I refuse to let my GP convince me to do it in the first tri again like she did last time, all the spotting afterwards was not worth the worry.

I've never had a Bhcg to confirm dates, it's too wide a range anyways, they've always dated it at the first u/s around 13-16 weeks. Drives me crazy because I always know when I O and it ticks ms off when I TELL them and they still insist on dating it from LMP, then have to change the dates at the u/s. That stupid wheel is really stupid!

Ahh!!!! My doctor did this too!!!! It also drove me nuts but I thought I was just crazy hehe. Glad to hear its not just me lol!!!

[Wanting-a-girl]

Wow cvd that's insane! I'm gonna ask a friend of mine and let u know when she started seeing hers cause she's 32 weeks as of yesterday and she for sure saw an ob last week cause she got her surgery date

[cvd]

Wow cvd that's insane! I'm gonna ask a friend of mine and let u know when she started seeing hers cause she's 32 weeks as of yesterday and she for sure saw an ob last week cause she got her surgery date

Oh good to know! Ya I'm anxious to get my date - 32 just seems late. Only 6 weeks (which will maybe be 2 appts if I'm lucky I'm guessing) to get to know the doctor performing my surgery lol I'm also going to talk to my doctor Monday.

Ps: Lace - I also just wanted to ask why you want to pass on the diabetes test? Aside from the drink being absolutely disgusting, is there something I may not know about it??? I honestly didn't even know you could say no to it lol

[LacePrincess]

Wanting, I didn't know that was the 'new' standard for OB's. Last pregnancy I had midwife care and I'm never ever going back to an OB practice. Before that was in 2005 and I started seeing my OB at 20 weeks, but things could've changed. I know that most things that used to be handled by OB's are done at the GP now.

My memory's a bit fuzzy on the NT test, I thought it was only one scan but two sets of bloodwork, IIRC? I'm pretty sure only 2 u/s are 'standard' care though. I'm probably going to pass on the entire NT scan anyways as all it did was scare the sh!t out of us with a soft Down's marker last time (NOTHING was wrong) and in the end we decided no matter what we'd never be able to choose to terminate anyways.

cvd, I have no clue, I've never had a c/s. I'm SHOCKED you don't get to see an OB until that late?!?? Especially with a planned c/s. Holy crap.

I'm telling you though, the m/w experience last time was just no comparison. After having almost hour long appts, and personal care, and her coming to my home for post-birth care, it was amazing. I can't ever imagine going back to the factory experience of an OBGYN hospital birth. (My first two were born at a teaching hospital, UGH!!!)

Oh, and regarding the diabetes test. Yes you can say no. There's no harm or risk to the test, just another annoying thing and having had previous pregnancies with zero issues and also at a good weight, health, diet, etc., I'm comfortable minimizing the whole 'lab' experience. My midwife let me choose which tests to have/not have last time, which was such an empowering and wonderful experience over my pregnancies with the OB.

[nuthinbutpink]

How can you not see a doctor until 32 weeks? No NT scan? No anatomy scan? What if something is wrong. I've never heard of that. Here, that would be considered no prenatal care at all!!

[cvd]

How can you not see a doctor until 32 weeks? No NT scan? No anatomy scan? What if something is wrong. I've never heard of that. Here, that would be considered no prenatal care at all!!

My regular doctor still sent me for the ultrasounds etc

[Wanting-a-girl]

I was border line diabetes with my third for some reason so I won't be skipping that... I'm healthy weight and all....

With my first I saw ob at 4 months cause that's when I found out I was preg 2004
Ds2 I swear I was there around 12 weeks that was 2006
Ds3 20 weeks 2010
And I have the same ob for all four cause I love him!

Waiting for my friend to get back to me.....

[nuthinbutpink]

My regular doctor still sent me for the ultrasounds etc

Oh! Thank goodness!

[Wanting-a-girl]

Yes my reg gp is sending me for all the u/s too... I'm alright with waiting for the ob just cause my gp used to do ob and he's the chief of staff so he must be good... Maybe...

[nuthinbutpink]

It's funny. We are totally different here due to private insurance, I'm sure.

We typically go at 6 weeks. My OB does a quick u/s with a portable machine to make sure all is well and we go monthly until 28 weeks. The NT scan, anatomy scan, diabetes tests are all coordinated there. Then, we go every 2 weeks for weight, blood pressure checks and measurement. Then around 36 weeks, we go weekly for checks until delivery.

Lots of appointments!

[cvd]

It's funny. We are totally different here due to private insurance, I'm sure.

We typically go at 6 weeks. My OB does a quick u/s with a portable machine to make sure all is well and we go monthly until 28 weeks. The NT scan, anatomy scan, diabetes tests are all coordinated there. Then, we go every 2 weeks for weight, blood pressure checks and measurement. Then around 36 weeks, we go weekly for checks until delivery.

Lots of appointments!

It's still fairly similar here. I see my doctor every 4 weeks, had blood tests at 8 weeks. Ultrasounds at 10 then 20. Glucose is at 28 weeks. Appointments switch from every 4 to every 2 weeks at some point then weekly, I don't remember when though. Apparently with a csection procedure is much different and the doctor doesn't care to see me as much lol

[Wanting-a-girl]

So my 32 week friend who is having a planned c section got into her ob at 30 weeks

[LacePrincess]

LOL this is fascinating. I didn't expect so many different answers! I love that we're learning how things work in different countries/regions.

NBP, in Ontario it seems like more and more care is just being dumped onto GP's. I don't think anyone has a 'regular' OB anymore. OBGYN's are reserved for high risk pregnancies and specialty care, and you need to be specially referred like you would, say, an ENT. It's getting ridiculous especially with the double booking and wait times with the GP's, but it is what it is. :P

My midwife will also do all the regular checks like weight, blood pressure, sugar in urine pee tests, etc during our appointments. The midwifery practices also have an OB on call in case something comes up like high blood pressure or other warning signs, and if you turn high risk you get transferred to OB care as midwives don't do high risk or c/s cases, or VBAC's, at all in Ontario.

I believe IIRC that I will see the midwife once a month until 20 weeks or so, then every other week until 28 weeks, and weekly after that. The standard screenings are offered including the NT and two u/s. I'm ok with not bothering with the GD sugar drink test as long as my urine tests are fine during the m/w appts.

[cvd]

So my 32 week friend who is having a planned c section got into her ob at 30 weeks

Thanks for asking! Good to know. I'm going to talk to my doctor Monday about it and see what she says.

[sugarNspice]

It's the opposite here in the US: I don't think a GP will treat much of anything in a pregnant woman--you basically have to go to an OB or midwife for all your medical care (or they'll refer you to a specialist if it's something they don't handle themselves). I think it's a liability issue?
Anyway, I've had an early ultrasound or betas or both will all of my pregnancies except my blighted ovum. For that one, I didn't have any bloodwork or appointments until almost 11 weeks, and there was NO BABY. I'd had all the regular pregnancy symptoms--morning sickness, growing belly, everything--and it was such a shock. At this point I've had so many miscarriages that I can always get someone to do early ultrasounds and betas, and I have low progesterone and so I have that tested and followed. But even so, I'd much rather know as early as possible that a pregnancy's not going to work, than hold on to hope only to have my heart broken later.

[Rainbow baby]

Wow it is so different in all the country's! Here as soon as the GP here's I am pregnant I am getting two lots of beta's 2-3 days apart! Plus a health check in EVERY pregnancy even thought they have records! On blood, red/white cells, antigens, Iron, Aids, hep's, hormones, anti d and and who knows what else :/! Then when the two beta's are confirmed and pregnancy looks hopeful, an early u/s for dating ruling out ectopic, then all the referals start to hospital for booking in 12 week and 20 week scans are pretty much routine unless you refuse them! Then monthly visits until around 30 weeks then fortnightly then week! I am high risk with my next pregnancy I have no idea what to expect but I guess it will mean more visits and more scans! :o

[Atsaukina1]

How can you not see a doctor until 32 weeks? No NT scan? No anatomy scan? What if something is wrong. I've never heard of that. Here, that would be considered no prenatal care at all!!

I have never had an nt scan(don't know what that is) or anatomy scan(any scan) but I have always seen my mw regularly(some after 13-14 wks) . maybe she was switching docs at 32 weeks? or she was doing an unassisted pregnacy but wanted to get a check-up before birth??

[nuthinbutpink]

I have never had an nt scan(don't know what that is) or anatomy scan(any scan) but I have always seen my mw regularly(some after 13-14 wks) . maybe she was switching docs at 32 weeks? or she was doing an unassisted pregnacy but wanted to get a check-up before birth??

I guess everywhere is different. A NT scan checks for 3 trisomies including Downs and the anatomy scan is full body. It's the basic, standard of care where I live but not all areas are as medically advanced or have access to the care we do. An anatomy scan seems pretty basic so I assume you opt not to have it but I always wanted to know that 1. I was carrying just one baby and 2. There were no major defects incompatible with life and 3. Is there anything they see on the scan that they can surgically correct while I'm still pregnant or that we can be prepared for immediately after birth.

Some conditions can be treated immediately and a C-section would then be advised as to not do more damage. I think information is power and opt for all scans. It has nothing at all to do with gender!

[cvd]

I have never had an nt scan(don't know what that is) or anatomy scan(any scan) but I have always seen my mw regularly(some after 13-14 wks) . maybe she was switching docs at 32 weeks? or she was doing an unassisted pregnacy but wanted to get a check-up before birth??

Yes in Canada we see a gp or our family doctor until a certain point then switch to an ob. I guess it was once 20 weeks you switched now 26 and with csections 30-32 weeks lol I still get all the standard prenatal care. Checkups, blood, ultrasounds etc just I don't meet my ob till 32 weeks.

[Mrs_P]

In the UK we don't get any confirmation, you refer yourself to see the midwife and she sees you between 8 and 10 weeks, you have your booking visit and then at 12 weeks i think it was you have the first trimester bloods and a dating scan.

Again i think as most m/c happen normally before 8 weeks ish it saves the nhs time and money

[Atsaukina1]

nuthinbutpink- yes you always have the option to do those kinds of test. I have always declined. I would never abort a child w/ downs and would not want to stress my whole prego and then have a completely healthy child or even vice versa/
test are not 100% and lead to more invasive testing and unnessasary stress to the mother.
I choose to have a natural pregnancy and birth. and of course gender is the last thing on my mind lol it's a 50/50 shot either way lol.

[nuthinbutpink]

I believe my 3 naturally conceived pregnancies with ultrasounds were natural pregnancies too. There are many things that can be seen on an u/s and many that cannot. I have a special needs child so just because one chooses to do an ultrasound doesn't mean they have the thought to abort if something looks off. I just choose to not be shocked at birth and be prepared for such a situation.

I understand not wanting to know and hoping for the best though.

[cvd]

So my 32 week friend who is having a planned c section got into her ob at 30 weeks

I seem my doctor today - she said they say 32 weeks is when to switch but really I can be referred whenever? So she sent the ob a letter today, I should be getting a call to set up my appointment in a couple weeks! Strange. Glad I asked!

[RedCanoe]

I wonder if it has to do with how busy OBs are in some areas? I'm in Ontario too, just outside of TO, and was referred to an OB by the end of the 1st trimester with all three of my boys. With one of them I wasn't able to get an appointment until 13 weeks so my GP ordered the NT instead. With DD I went with a midwife (no referral needed, just call them yourself) and got in around 12 weeks since I was being followed by my local clinic/HRC (HT baby) until then... 32 weeks seems insane, lol!

To answer the original question... my GP ordered betas with all my pregnancies. But my sister, who is pregnant now with her first was told the same, that the HPT was enough and to just make an appointment at 8 weeks. I thought that was weird too...

[My Three Sons]

They are having me go in tomorrow so I am not sure if they will do blood or not. Previously, they just did the urine test to confirm the pregnancy, then an early scan to date the pregnancy, then once a month til later in the pregnancy