I recently had some blood tests done, and my doctor mentioned checking my PCV levels. I'm a bit confused, what exactly is PCV in pregnancy and why is it important to monitor?
I remember staring at my lab reports and crying because I didn't understand these terms! Don't worry, PCV is just a standard test to check your blood levels, your doctor will explain it beautifully.
PCV is packed cell volume, which is part of your complete blood count. It helps check for anemia during pregnancy, but only your doctor can interpret if your levels are normal for your trimester.
PCV stands for packed cell volume, which basically tells if your blood has enough red blood cells. Since you've worked so hard for this pregnancy, please let your doctor review the report to keep you and baby safe.
Hematocrit or PCV is basically a measure of red cells in your blood; if it is low, it means you might need iron supplements, so do discuss the report with your gynac.