PRENATAL TESTS AND EXAMS

When a woman discovers she is pregnant, she should make an appointment with a healthcare provider. During this first appointment, a routine examination is done, which includes a pelvic exam, Pap smear, breast exam, weight, blood pressure, urine and blood tests.

Blood tests are done to check for:

pregnancy (to check the pregnancy hormone level)
iron-deficiency anemia, a type of anemia caused by lack of iron (Iron is needed to produce new red blood cells, which carry oxygen.)
sexually transmitted diseases that can be spread from a pregnant woman to her baby before or during delivery
blood type (If the mother's blood type is Rh negative, a test will be done at about 28 to 30 weeks to see if she is developing antibodies to the baby's blood. If she is, RhoGam shots are given. This prevents the antibodies from forming.)
HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) and
serum alpha feto-protein test that screens for birth defects

Some states require testing for HIV/AIDS for all pregnant women since treatment reduces the chance of HIV being transferred from mother to baby. The serum alpha feto-protein test is recommended around 16 to 18 weeks. This blood test may be performed by itself or with 2 other tests (in which case it is also called the triple test). If the baby is at risk for birth defects, an ultrasound will be done. If further testing is necessary, an amniocentesis will be done.

Urine tests look for:

sugar, a sign of gestational diabetes
protein, a sign of pre-eclampsia and
bacteria, a sign of infection that can be present with or without symptoms

Many women also have an ultrasound exam. The inside of a woman's uterus is viewed to see how the baby is developing. The test can give information about the baby's size, growth, due date, and position; the size and location of the placenta; and identify some birth defects. If birth defects are suspected, a sophisticated 3-D ultra sound will be done. This gives a better 3 dimensional view of the baby and placenta. The routine ultrasound takes about 15 to 20 minutes, while the 3-D ultrasound may take 30 minutes to several hours.

Chorionic villus sampling, also called the CVS test, is done to check for birth defects in high-risk women. This test involves taking a sample tissue from the placenta. The CVS is done early in the pregnancy at about 10 to 12 weeks. It is the best test if a woman is considering ending the pregnancy because of birth defects. However, the CVS cannot show birth defects of the spinal cord or brain. One of the major concerns of this test is the risk of miscarriage.

Amniocentesis may also be done to check for birth defects in high-risk women. This test involves taking a sample of the fluid from the amniotic sac that surrounds the baby. The test is done later in the pregnancy at about 16 to 18 weeks. It shows birth defects of the spinal cord and brain. There is also a risk of miscarriage with this test, but the risk is less than with CVS.

A woman may also have an amniocentesis toward the end of the pregnancy to check the development of the baby's lungs. It is done at this time when there is a risk the baby may be delivered early.

A non-stress test uses a fetal monitor to measure the baby's activity and heart rate. This test is done late in the pregnancy if a woman is past her due date, or to make sure the baby is not having medical problems.

A biophysical profile combines the non-stress test with an ultrasound exam. In addition to checking the baby's activity and heart rate, the ultrasound will check the baby's tone, breathing, and movements. It also determines the amount of amniotic fluid. The results provide a score. A low score requires further evaluation or delivery of the baby. A biophysical profile is usually done after the 28th week of the pregnancy.

During labor, a "stress test," uses a fetal monitor to measure the baby's heart rate during contractions.

At any time from the beginning of the pregnancy to the end, a provider may recommend additional tests if the woman's history or condition warrants it.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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