The Ins and Outs of Prenatal Tests

Blood tests, urine tests, ultrasounds … the 40 weeks of pregnancy can be jam-packed with doctor visits. Most prenatal visits consist of checking your baby’s heartbeat, your blood pressure and your weight. But depending upon your health history and other factors, your doctor might also suggest prenatal testing. What are all those tests for? Are they even necessary?

Testing, testing …

Regular medical checkups throughout your pregnancy can help catch complications early. This may help you have a safer, healthier pregnancy.

Prenatal tests generally fall into one of two categories: screening tests and diagnostic tests. Screening tests are done to check you and your baby for certain medical conditions before symptoms appear. Diagnostic tests are done to diagnose the cause of symptoms that have already appeared. Which tests are recommended for you will depend upon your personal risk factors and symptoms.

Some common tests include:

• Blood test — Checks iron, blood type, blood sugar levels, presence of measles antigens, HIV and other diseases. These screen for potential illnesses that may endanger the baby, as well as a condition called Rh sensitization in which the mother’s immune system reacts against the baby.
• Urine test — Checks sugar and protein levels. This can help catch conditions such as preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.
• Ultrasound — Shows how the baby is developing.
• Doppler ultrasound — Checks blood flow in the umbilical cord.
• 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.

Routine versus required

Many prenatal tests are recommended based on your age, health history, previous test results or family history. But they are all optional. You should feel comfortable talking with your Riverview Health provider about your prenatal care. Your provider can explain prenatal tests and help you weigh the pros and cons for your situation.

Has it been a while since your last check-up, or do you need a new physician? Call us at 317.565.0535 to request an appointment.

Sources: ACOG.gov, AmericanPregnancy.org, CDC.gov, WomensHealth.gov