Screening tests, diagnostic tests, blood tests, ultrasounds — the 40 weeks of pregnancy can be jam-packed with doctor visits, depending upon your health history, your prenatal provider and your preference. Read on to learn a little more about what to expect.
Regular medical checkups throughout your pregnancy can head off complications you or the baby may face. Most prenatal visits consist of checking your baby's heartbeat, your blood pressure and your weight. Early on, your doctor might suggest prenatal testing.
Testing, testing...
Screening tests, such as ultrasounds, tell you how likely you and your baby are to have certain medical conditions.
Diagnostic tests diagnose health disorders, such as Down syndrome. Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are examples of diagnostic tests.
Some common tests include:
- Blood test — Checks iron, blood type, blood sugar levels, presence of measles antigens, HIV and other diseases.
- Urine test — Checks sugar and protein levels.
- Ultrasound — Shows how the baby is developing.
- Glucose screening — Screens for gestational diabetes.
- Group B streptococcus test — Checks for a bacterial infection that can be harmful to newborns.
Depending upon your health history and age, your doctor might suggest:
- Amniocentesis or CVS — Detects chromosome abnormalities, neural tube defects and genetic disorders.
- First trimester screen and triple screen — Identifies risk for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Cordocentesis — Takes a sample of the baby's blood to detect abnormalities.
- Quad screen — Similar to the triple screen, but also tests for inhibin A to assess a baby's risk of Down syndrome.
The best beginnings begin here
There's a lot to stay on top of when you're expecting. From regular checkups to specialized testing we're here to help!
To find a doctor or speak to a nurse, call Consult-A-Nurse® at (951) 788-3463, 24 hours a day.
For more information, visit Women's and Children's Services.
Sources: ACOG.gov, AmericanPregnancy.org, CDC.gov, WomensHealth.gov