Hi all - so I've had 2 tests within in the last week indicating my white blood cell count is 21,000 (I guess normal is in the 4,000 - 9,000 range) and of course when you google stuff like that you turn up major infection, cancer and all kinds of fun things that scare the hell out of a hormonal 37 week pregnant woman and mom of a 2 year old. I feel totally fine - no fever, no infection - just regular pregnancy stuff. This is my 2nd pregnancy and it's going much better than no. 1 (more energy, less weight gain, less swelling, etc.). Dr. says he sometimes sees the elevated levels in pregnant women towards the end, but he is concerned that it is pretty high and wants me to go to a hematologist ASAP. Can't get in to see the one he recommended until after my weekly ob appt next week so in the meantime I am looking for some reassurance that others have had this happen and everything turned out just fine.
Thanks much!
Went to the hematologist on Friday and had a couple of tests done - one for leukemia. He said that his money was on the count being high because of pregnancy and that my OB probably hadn't seen anyone with counts that high during pregnancy, but he has. Tuesday the leukemia test came back "as negative as possible." i will need to test counts at 6 week check up post birth when things should be back at normal levels. All is well.
Does your doctor know you can't see the Hematologist for over a week? When my daughter had a blood platlete disorder the hematologist told me it would be over a week to see her. I called her pediatrician. They called the hematologist and she got in the next day. You may want to have your doctor call the hematologist or get a recommendation for another one so you don't have to wait around a week and keep worrying.
Easier said than done, but don't worry too much until you have actual lab results back. Worrying will get you nowhere. Since you're 37 weeks, chances are it could be pregnancy related and may go away on it's own once baby comes. TRY not to stress over it :) Good luck!
Call back the hematologist and mention that you are 37 weeks pregnant and your OB/GYN wants you seen ASAP. I bet they get you in.
Good luck!!
J.,
Call your doctor and tell them that you can't get an appt yet---maybe they can call and set it up for you sooner? Try not to worry. Until you have all the facts, you have nothing to go on---be strong and positive for you and your baby. best wishes~!
M
Hi J.,
My story is the opposite. I went to the doc just for my yearly and they told me my wbc were low. I freaked out. Went to the hematologist and they went even lower. My husband and I decided to quit trying to get pregnant until we found out what was going on. Two months later, surprise, I was pregnant. Both my OB/GYN and hematologist told me that pregnancy raises your levels. Mine went back into the normal range and the hematologist just wants to re-evaluate me after I have the baby. I think as long as you are feeling well and no infections this might just be pregnancy related. Hopefully they can see you sooner than a week to end some of that worrying.
You may have an infection.... Do you maybe have Group B Strep? You might want to get some antibiotics before you deliver just in case....
I don't really have any info or medical knowledge about nomal ranges of wbc counts or blood tests at this stage of pregnancy, but if the hematologist can't get you in for an emergency appt, call your doctor's office. One of his office staff should contact this other doctor's office to request an urgent appointment.
