5wks and travelling soon - should I pay to get private tests? And, how much?

[Jmm1986]

Hi there,

I've just found out I'm about five weeks pregnant for the first time - yay! So, I visited a GP yesterday who referred me to a NHS hospital for my first booking appointment with a midwife. Unfortunately, I think the referral can take time and I'll be travelling internationally while I'm 6.5 to 10 weeks pregnant.

I've contacted a private doctor (consultation is £190 + tests) and he has requested that I get a private Beta HCG test and progesterone test at The Doctors Laboratory - does anyone know how much this might cost?

Because I'm totally clueless and the GP was not entirely helpful, I'm concerned about not having the information I might need before I travel. The GP said I shouldn't be travelling in the first 12-16 weeks and I should avoid some exercise. Does that mean I can't ski? Should I be on a plane for 11 hours? Etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

[roxannacar]

I travelled in my first trimester, to Malta and Spain...airline don't say anything about traVelling at this point, the issue is later at the end ... lots of people don't even know they are pregnant. Never had a blood b hcg or progesterone. What is the point of this? It will be high if you are pregnant. A midwife or NHS GP would not do these tests routinely for pregnancy.

The NHS website is very good for ante natal care advice.

As for skiing, I'd would personally avoid, and that's not because of the exercise ... you can continue exercise (if normally fairly active) however it's the risk of falling over and hurting yourself rather I'd be more concerned about.

Hope that helps

[Dobby12345]

I flew long haul several times in the first trimester- most Drs don't see you until around 10 weeks anyway. Skiing is not really safe due to it being an extreme sport - you can run, swim do yoga etc until birth.

[SailAway1977]

you'll be fine with the travel - I travelled loads in first trimester. And I know it seems weird that the NHS basically ignore you in the first trimester but it's because there's really no need for medical intervention at this stage. If something goes wrong in first trimester, there's sadly not a lot that can be done. And there's not much (except take no alcohol and drugs!) that you can do. But do avoid contact sports and any potential for impact to your abdomen - you'll probably feel very sensitive anyhow.

Wonderful news - so happy for you. Ignore all the old wives tales and enjoy this time. Hope the morning sickness doesn't hit you too hard in a few weeks. That might put you off skiing anyhow.

[lady123]

I agree there isn't much point in the tests. Those tests would only confirm that you are pregnant, nothing really more. They will be around £100, I think.

[Zayanna]

Absolutely no point to the tests since all they do is measure the levels of hormones in your blood to determine if you are pregnant or not, and how far along you might be. There are at-home pregnancy tests that can do the same with your urine.

Skiing isn't recommended because you can fall over etc., but also I'd just like to point out that you probably haven't been hit with the first-trimester symptoms yet, and they could make skiing VERY unpleasant. Even if you are a highly accomplished skier, doing so while light-headed, dizzy, nauseous, and *extremely fatigued* would not be wise. You are very likely to have an accident in those circumstances. Don't want to scare you, but some range of these symptoms will probably hit shortly. Most women have trouble completing everyday duties while pregnant (eg, going to a 9-5 office job, buying groceries, driving, etc) so skiing is asking for a LOT in the first trimester. I would strongly recommend avoiding this. :/