Home

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Erectile Dysfunction

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Doctor123.org

helps physicians and healthcare professionals

Prenatal Screenings


About this topic


Prenatal screenings are tests done during pregnancy. Prenatal screenings check for health problems in you or your baby. The tests may include blood tests, urine tests, ultrasounds, and other screenings. Checking the health of both you and your child is of great value. Your doctor can treat a health problem early. Early treatment provides the best response. Your doctor may test you at any time during your pregnancy. ‚  

General


Why Should I Have Prenatal Screenings? ‚  
  • To check for any health problems that may affect your babys health or growth
  • To see if your baby is at risk for a birth defect or abnormality
  • To find out if you have any health problems that may be passed on to your baby
  • To check your baby's health if you have certain health problems like:
    • Blood disorders
    • Thyroid disease
    • Heart disease
    • Kidney disease
    • High blood sugar
    • High blood pressure

Your doctor may ask you to have some routine tests like: ‚  
  • Blood tests ¢ ˆ ’ Check blood type, Rh factor, and health problems like anemia or infections
  • Urine tests ¢ ˆ ’ Look for sugar, protein, and infections which may be signs of kidney problems or high blood sugar
  • Ultrasound ¢ ˆ ’ Take pictures of your baby inside of you. Ultrasound is done to check size, age, and to see how well your baby is growing. Ultrasound may also help find some birth defects.

Some screening tests are done on all women. Others are only done in special cases. Some tests are done at set times while you are pregnant. Other tests are used to check if a problem comes up while you are pregnant. ‚  
The first 3 months you are pregnant are called your 1st trimester. During the first trimester, your doctor may check for: ‚  
  • Sexually-transmitted diseases. Testing is done with a Pap smear or Pap test.
  • Problems between your blood and your baby's blood. The test for this type of problem is an antibody screen or Rh factor blood test.
  • Down syndrome. Testing is done with a chorionic villus sampling.
  • Blood counts. Your doctor may check your hemoglobin and platelet levels in case of bleeding and to see if you need extra iron.
  • Hepatitis B. Testing is done with a blood test.

Months 4 to 6 of pregnancy are called your 2nd trimester. During the 2nd trimester, your doctor may check for: ‚  
  • Brain and spinal cord defects, Down syndrome, and cystic fibrosis. Testing may be done with an amniocentesis.
  • Hormone problems, brain and spinal cord defects, Down syndrome. Testing may be done with one of these tests:
    • Maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein screening or MSAFP
    • Triple screen test
    • Quadruple screen or Quad screen
  • Blood disorders like low blood counts of the baby, infection, or birth defects. Testing may be done with a percutaneous umbilical blood sample.

Months 7 to 9 are called your 3rd trimester. During the 3rd trimester, your doctor may check: ‚  
  • Your baby's overall health. This test is a biophysical profile. The doctor may do an ultrasound and nonstress tests to look at your baby's:
    • Breathing
    • Chest movement
    • Heart rate
    • Amniotic fluid
    • Muscle tone
  • Your blood sugar level and see how your baby reacts to sugar. This test is a glucose challenge screening or glucose tolerance test.
  • Your baby's movements. Testing your baby's movement is important if you are overdue or have other health risks. This test is a fetal nonstress test.
  • For bladder or uterus infections. Testing is done with a group B strep test. Having this kind of infection may put your baby at risk for:
    • Fluid buildup in the brain and spinal cord
    • Blood infections
    • Lung infections
    • Being born dead

What lifestyle changes are needed?


Avoid problems during pregnancy. Take good care of your body and health. ‚  
  • Get proper prenatal care.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet.
  • Do exercises that are safe for you.
  • Get lots of rest.
  • Take prenatal vitamins.
  • Avoid chemicals, radiation, and harmful substances.
  • Do not smoke. Stay away from secondhand smoke.
  • Do not drink beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
  • Do not use illegal drugs.

Helpful tips


Ask your doctor if you have any concerns about the tests you are having. Ask your doctor: ‚  
  • What does the test looks for?
  • What are the benefits?
  • What will happen before, during, and after the test?
  • What do I need to do before the test?
  • Is the test painful?

Where can I learn more?


American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚  
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/wellness/pregnancy ‚  
American Pregnancy Association ‚  
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/prenataltesting/ ‚  
KidsHealth ‚  
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/medical/prenatal_tests.html ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

Copyright


Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚  
Copyright © 2016 - 2017
Doctor123.org | Disclaimer