Standard Tests for Pregnant Women

There are several lab tests that are routinely ordered for all pregnant women. These tests can tell the prenatal care provider a lot about possible problems with your pregnancy. Some other common tests are recommended based on your medical or family history.There are two different types of tests. Some, such as blood, urine and cervical tests are considered diagnostic tests. They are performed to help detect problems that may arise during your pregnancy and are performed on almost all pregnant women.The other types are screening tests, which will help to determine if your baby is at risk for certain genetic problems or birth defects. They are ordered based on your age, medical or family history or ethnic background.

Diagnostic Tests

These tests may be done more than once during your pregnancy. Every pregnancy is different and your physician or midwife will recommend the best course of testing for your baby.

Diagnostic tests include:

• Cervical Tests – A sample will be taken from your cervix to check for sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea which can affect your baby. A Pap test will also be done to check for changes in the cervix that could lead to cancer. Later in your pregnancy you will be tested for group B streptococcus, a treatable condition that can be passed to your baby at birth.
• Urine Test – A urine sample may be taken at your prenatal visit to check the levels of sugar and protein or to check for a bladder or kidney infection. High levels of sugar can indicate diabetes, while protein in the urine can mean you have a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or high blood pressure. All of these problems are treatable, but is it very important that your physician or midwife know if they exist.
• Blood Tests – Your blood is the best single indicator of your general health. Blood tests are done at different times during your pregnancy to check for many different things. Early in your pregnancy your blood will be tested to determine your blood type and Rh factor. Your blood type will be A, B, AB or O. It will be Rh positive or Rh negative, which simply indicates whether the Rh antigen is present in your blood. An antigen is a substance which can trigger an immune response in your body and cause an antibody to be produced. It is a concern during pregnancy because if your baby’s blood has the Rh antigen and yours does not, you body may react as if it were allergic to your baby’s blood, causing anemia in the baby. It can be treated during pregnancy.Other medical problems that will usually show up in your blood tests are anemia, HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

Screening Tests

Your physician or midwife will also offer tests used to detect the possibility of birth defects. There are some birth defects that can be treated, corrected or even prevented when the proper steps are taken early. Screening tests for some birth defects may be recommended by your prenatal care provider near the end of your first trimester. Maternal serum screening tests measure certain substances in your blood. If these substances are higher or lower than normal levels, the doctor may do further testing to determine if your baby is at increased risk for certain common birth defects, such as Down syndrome, as well as neural tube and chromosome defects. These tests are safe for you and your baby, but they are not perfect. A positive result only indicates an increased risk of a certain defect, and your doctor may recommend diagnostic testing.

Some common diagnostic tests include:

Amniocentesis -A procedure in which a small amount of fluid is withdrawn from the amniotic sac, or "bag of water", that surrounds the growing fetus during pregnancy. The fluid contains cells that have been shed from the fetus. The cells can be analyzed in the lab to obtain genetic information and detect some genetic problems in the fetus.

Ultrasound - A procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to scan a woman's abdomen and pelvic cavity, creating a picture (sonogram) of the baby and placenta, usually by moving a device across your abdomen. There are several reasons to perform an ultrasound procedure, and sometimes your doctor will perform more than one, at different times in your pregnancy. During the first trimester, an ultrasound may be performed to:

1. Determine the baby's age
2. Assess the baby's heart rate
3. Check for multiple pregnancies
4. Identify problems of the placenta, uterus, and pelvis

Ultrasound tests may also be done in the second and third trimesters to:

• Assess the baby's age, growth, position, and sometimes gender
• Identify any developmental problems, such as Down syndrome
• Evaluate the placenta, amniotic fluid, and pelvis
• CVS (Chorionic Villus Sampling) - A diagnostic test for identifying chromosome abnormalities and other inherited disorders, it involves taking a small number of cells from the placenta.

Remember

The goal of all of these tests is to try to determine the risks that exist for your baby as early as possible in your pregnancy. That way, early treatment or care can be given so that your baby comes into the world with every chance possible for a normal, healthy life.