The second stage (blood testing) can be performed between 15 and 22 weeks. The first stage (combining ultrasound and blood testing) can be performed between 11 weeks and 13 weeks and 6 days. Sequential Screen – A two-stage screening that assesses the risk of several chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome.If you are at risk, your doctor will discuss these optional tests with you. Today there are several noninvasive screening tests available to you in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy to assess the chances that your fetus may have a genetic (inherited) disorder and/or birth defects. Antibiotics can be given during labor to help prevent infection of the baby. Many women carry GBS without having symptoms, but it can be passed to a baby during birth and cause serious health problems. Group B Strep (GBS) Culture – GBS is a type of bacteria that lives in the vagina and rectum.RPR (Syphilis screen #2) – All women receive a second test to screen for syphilis in their second trimester.Hemoglobin and Hematocrit – It’s not uncommon to develop anemia as your pregnancy progresses, so your blood will be tested in your late second trimester or early third trimester.Glucose Tolerance Test – This measures the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood a high level may be a sign of gestational diabetes.Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) – Because thyroid problems are associated with pregnancy complications, women are tested to ensure that their thyroid is functioning properly. This is tested in patients with specific family or medical history.Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Testing – Pregnant women are screened for syphilis (a test called rapid plasma reagin, or RPR) and chlamydia early in pregnancy because these STDs can be passed to their babies and cause other complications.The first Rh-positive baby is unlikely to become ill, but antibodies produced during a first pregnancy will affect future Rh-positive babies An antibody screen is used to detect these antibodies. Antibody Screen – If you are Rh negative, your immune system can develop an antibody that attaches to the Rh-positive antigens on your fetus’ red blood cells, targeting them for destruction.Blood types are either A, B, AB or O, and the Rh factor is either positive or negative.Problems can occur if a woman is Rh negative and her baby is Rh positive. Blood Typing – Determines your blood type and Rh factor (a protein on the surface of red blood cells).Varicella Zoster V Antibodies (Chicken Pox) – This test is done to detect whether a women is immune to varicella (chicken pox).HIV – Pregnant women infected with HIV can be given medication and take other steps that greatly reduce the chance of passing the virus to their babies.Your blood is tested to see if you’ve had a past rubella infection or if you’ve been vaccinated against it. Rubella (German Measles) – Can cause birth defects if a woman is infected during pregnancy.Hepatitis B – Pregnant women with Hepatitis B virus (which infects the liver) can pass the virus to their babies.Urinalysis and Urine Culture – Detects urinary tract disease, infection, glucose (high levels may be a sign of diabetes) and protein.Complete Blood Count (CBC) with Differential/Platelet – Measures the numbers of different types of cells that make up your blood to check for anemia, infection and your blood-clotting ability. These tests can help detect conditions that might put you or your fetus at risk of complications, and allow for timely treatment. Routine Tests During PregnancyĬertain laboratory tests are recommended for all women as part of routine prenatal care. Plus, seeing your doctor early in your pregnancy helps you and your baby stay as healthy as possible (visit our Prenatal Care & Delivery page to learn more about care during pregnancy). He or she can use a more sensitive test along with a pelvic exam to confirm it. If a home pregnancy test shows that you’re pregnant, call your doctor right away. Blood tests can detect hCG earlier in a pregnancy than urine tests, usually 6 to 8 days after you ovulate.A blood test checks your blood for hCG, and you need to see a doctor to have this test.Urine tests can usually tell if you’re pregnant about one week after a missed period.A urine test can be performed at your doctor’s office or with a home pregnancy test.This hormone – human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) – is produced when a fertilized egg implants in your uterus. First Things First: Tests to Confirm that You’re PregnantĪll pregnancy tests work by detecting a hormone in your blood or urine that’s there only if you’re pregnant.
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