Questions about Pregnancy

[Tresforce]

is it normal for dads to do blood tests during pregnancy or is that just to find out if he is the real father of the soon-to-be baby?

[spamdumpster]

is it normal for dads to do blood tests during pregnancy or is that just to find out if he is the real father of the soon-to-be baby?

It could be to find out if he's the real father, but it also could be to test for certain recessive genes. For example, a child can be born with cystic fibrosis only if both parents are carriers of the gene for cystic fibrosis. If the mom tests positive, then the dad also must be tested.

[aross99]

Seems like I remember there being something about knowing both parents blood types to check for compatible RH factors...

I am not a Dr, but according to this link:

http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/rhfactor/a/aa050601a.htm

There can be issues if the Mom is RH- and the Father is RH+.

I would think if the Father does NOT know his blood type, then they would do a test to verify that...

[iJohnHenry]

You have nothing to fear, but the test itself.

Is there some reason for concern, such that that "you" would prefer not to undergo the test???

[WildCowboy]

My son was born two months ago, and I did not have a blood test. My wife had all of the blood tests, and I assume that since nothing came up there, they didn't have to check to me. For instance, her cystic fibrosis screen came back negative, so the chances of her being a carrier were extremely low. And if she wasn't a carrier, it didn't really matter if I was or not. My wife is RH-, and while they could have tested to see if I was also RH- (I'm RH+), in which case she wouldn't have needed the Rhogam shots, they give them to all RH- mothers just to be safe.

Although I suppose some doctors would recommend blood tests for the father in order to have the most complete picture possible, it doesn't necessarily need to be done unless there is a specific reason for it or something in the mother's results require that the father also be checked.

[OscarTheGrouch]

My wife gave birth 4 months ago. They only reason I would have been checked would have been if she came back having some genes for genetic disorders.. since she didnt i didnt need to.


Just cause you need a blood test doesnt mean anything initially

[iJohnHenry]

:confused:

Why would you not want to know as much as possible??

Sorry, I just don't "get it".

[Tresforce]

I'm not objecting to get the testing done or anything, and i could see the point of wanting to know everything. Its just that my girlfriend and I got together 2 months ago, and now shes 2 months pregnant, so its kinda borderline if it was me or her ex. I guess its just human nature to be scared about what we don't fully know. I was just wondering if its a normal thing for dads to get blood tests during pregnancy cause in every book, website i looked at it didnt mention anything about it. And i was just wondering if she asked me to get it done so she could find out without me knowing or it was just standard procedure is all.

[redwarrior]

Ah, the whole truth surfaces. I can only speak of my experience. I have had two children and neither time did my doctor ask for blood from the father. But there are no health issues in mine or the father's history to warrant them either.

[iJohnHenry]

2 month pregnant equals 3 months conception.

You have to search your own heart on this one.

Talking is always a good start.

[WildCowboy]

2 month pregnant equals 3 months conception.

"Two months pregnant" means that conception was roughly 6-7 weeks ago, not three months. The pregnancy calendar starts from the date of the start of the last menstrual period.

[Hawkeye411]

Make an appointment with the doctor and talk to her about the blood test. If your girlfriend was doing a paternal test, I can't imagine that a doctor would release the results to her alone. Most doctors would insure that you both received the results.

[iJohnHenry]

Wrong.

Unless both parties are present, the doctor is bound by the doctor/patient confidentiality agreement.

[SDLSteve]

is it normal for dads to do blood tests during pregnancy or is that just to find out if he is the real father of the soon-to-be baby?

No, but like some of the posts said, there may be a reason behind it as opposed to paternity so just ask.

[Hawkeye411]

Wrong.

Unless both parties are present, the doctor is bound by the doctor/patient confidentiality agreement.

That's kind of what I was getting at. If they take a sample of your blood, you should be able to know what they are using it for and, I think that both people are informed before a paternity test is performed.

[gusious]

I'm not objecting to get the testing done or anything, and i could see the point of wanting to know everything. Its just that my girlfriend and I got together 2 months ago, and now shes 2 months pregnant, so its kinda borderline if it was me or her ex. I guess its just human nature to be scared about what we don't fully know. I was just wondering if its a normal thing for dads to get blood tests during pregnancy cause in every book, website i looked at it didnt mention anything about it. And i was just wondering if she asked me to get it done so she could find out without me knowing or it was just standard procedure is all.

Yes it is in human nature. So don't worry.

The best thing to do is talk to her.You're having a baby with her and this is wonderful. You should be honest with each other and learn to put your fears beside and talk about them!!

Don't worry.Everything is going to be fine!:)

[Abstract]

Get a blood test for a paternity test. Make her get tested as well for that very reason. Go to the same doctor, and go together.

In this situation, I'd check to make sure that I was the father.

[Phillyzero]

Both of you need to be more open, has she said that you are specifically the far thus far?

[wordmunger]

I hate to be the one to say this, but has she considered abortion? Even if you do stay together and eventually want to have kids, is this really the way to start a family?

[dukebound85]

I hate to be the one to say this, but has she considered abortion? Even if you do stay together and eventually want to have kids, is this really the way to start a family?

thats gonna raise some hell lol

i'll start: why should the kid be punished?

[cantthinkofone]

My girlfriend/fiance is 16 weeks pregnant. So i have learned a few things :p.

The only reason i can think of for the male to have a blood test is to see one of a couple things.

--Blood type. To see if there will be a problem with the RH like aross said. It wont hurt this baby, but if conditions are right it could hurt the second one. All that has to happen is the mom gets a little shot, problem solved.

--Genetic disorders, and diseases that your not aware of.

--If you really are the father.

But frankly testing DNA during pregnancy is just wrong in my book. Wait until it's born and get a swab from it's cheek.

And remember, If you live in the USA (not sure about any other country) you have no rights to the baby until until it's born, and she puts your name on the birth certificate.

Until then the doctor is not obligated to tell you anything about her or the baby. Unless she signs a form saying it's ok for you to receive information.

[wordmunger]

thats gonna raise some hell lol

i'll start: why should the kid be punished?

What kid? As a supporter of a woman's right to choose, I believe there is no "child" at this point in the pregnancy.

But there's no need to start inflammatory rhetoric. Everyone knows that many people are opposed to abortion, but this woman needs to decide what's right for herself. That should include balancing the life that her child would have if she were to carry this pregnancy to term, her own priorities, and the priorities of the father.

[Abstract]

And remember, If you live in the USA (not sure about any other country) you have no rights to the baby until until it's born, and she puts your name on the birth certificate.

Until then the doctor is not obligated to tell you anything about her or the baby. Unless she signs a form saying it's ok for you to receive information.

That's rather unfair.

[iShater]

What kid? As a supporter of a woman's right to choose, I believe there is no "child" at this point in the pregnancy.

But there's no need to start inflammatory rhetoric. Everyone knows that many people are opposed to abortion, but this woman needs to decide what's right for herself. That should include balancing the life that her child would have if she were to carry this pregnancy to term, her own priorities, and the priorities of the father.

Then let's keep the thread on topic and let them decide for themselves. He asked about a test, nothing else.
:rolleyes:

[CorvusCamenarum]

That's rather unfair.

True...men have no rights after the baby is born, either.

OP: Is this test her idea or yours?

[annk]

First of all, Wildcowboy is right about the way the pregnancy calender is figured out. If there hasn't been any overlapping of relations *cough cough* you're fine. :p

That said, I would go ahead and have the blood test. If you and she decide to raise the baby together, it will be yours in the most important sense - because a parent is someone who is there and taking part. That's a LOT more important than biology.

And it's smart to know who the biological father is in case there are any medical conditions to know about, or in case of something like the need down the road for an organ transplant. Those things are traumatic enough in themselves; you don't want to have to deal with paternity issues at the same time.

There's of course also the issue of the biological father or grandparents maybe wanting to be a part of the child's life. It can seem overwhelming at first, but it really can work out, and when it does, it can be a great boon to the child to have a whole gang of adult resources in his/her life. And it can give the parents a little help now and then, which BELIEVE ME, can be very nice. And besides, it gives you more information for how you want to plan your life at this point.

Find out now, find out together how you want to deal with it with any involved parties, and then go on from there.

And good luck to all, whatever you decide. :)

[Dave00]

"Two months pregnant" means that conception was roughly 6-7 weeks ago, not three months. The pregnancy calendar starts from the date of the start of the last menstrual period.
Actually, there are two methods for describing how far along a mother is; by the date of the last menstrual period, and by the estimated date of conception. Two months pregnant would thus put the conception either two months ago, or two months less about two weeks. So, it happened between 6-9 weeks ago.

There are no routine tests for fathers during the pregnancy, at least in the U.S. - and I can't think of why they would in another country either. Rh-testing is only done on the mother. And there is no way to determine paternity in-utero without something invasive such as an amniocentesis.