A List of Prenatal Tests
Before and during pregnancy a woman should be having tests done left and right to ensure her that she and her baby are in good health. Below are different tests, some general and basic tests that should be done throughout the pregnancy and some should be done during specific trimesters. Each test is similar, yet each test is so unique. You can find out lots of useful information about your baby to help prepare you for when it arrives.
General Tests
There are 5 main tests you should definitely have done in the early stages of your pregnancy. Blood tests are a given and should be done regularly. Urine tests are useful when trying to get pregnant and are also a great way to check for bacteria’s, ketones, proteins and sugars. Paternity tests are usually done when the mother has had more than one partner during the conception days. DNA is the best source in determining parenthood. The Rh factor determines antigens, or proteins on blood cells. These antigens communicate with the immune system and feedback results of either Rh positive or Rh negative. The last of the basic tests is the Ultrasound. This should be done throughout the pregnancy, since there are many new things you can learn about your baby as time passes. The abdomen and pelvic are scanned to create a sonogram of the baby and placenta. There are 7 different ultrasounds that can be performed: 3-D, Doppler, Advanced, Standard, Transvaginal, 4-D and Fetal Echocardiography.
The First Trimester
There are only two tests you should be having done during the first trimester; Chorionic Villus Sampling or CVS and the first Tri-Screen. CVS is a diagnostic test for identifying chromosome abnormalities and other inherited disorders. The first tri-screen combines a maternal blood screening test with an ultrasound evaluation of the fetus. It also identifies risks for chromosomal abnormalities like Down Syndrome Trisomy-21 and Trisomy-18.
The Second Trimester
There are 5 tests during the second trimester that really focus on older women or women that have a family history of birth defects. Women under the age of 35 should still have these tests performed, even if there is no family history of birth defects. Amniocentesis is a test done following an abnormal triple test result. Specific genetic disorders can also be determined, along with neural tube defects. This test can be done late in the pregnancy to see how the baby’s lungs are developing. This test can also provide DNA samples for paternity tests. MSAFP aka Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein Test checks the levels of the protein in the mother’s blood. It’s not a diagnostic test, but is part of the triple screen test that determines if diagnostic testing will ever be needed. A PUB, or Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling, is a diagnostic test done that examines the blood of the fetus to detect abnormalities. This procedure is similar to amniocentesis, except the goal is to retrieve blood from the fetal, not amniotic fluid. The Quad Screen looks for 4 substances; AFT, hCG, Estriol and Inhibin-A. There are no side effects to either the mother or baby during this test. The Triple Screen test, aka MMS and AFP Plus looks for 3 of 4 substances the Quad Screen test looks for. Both of these tests check for genetic disorders.
The Third Trimester
There are only 3 tests that need to be done in the third and final trimester. These tests are doing just that, finalizing the end of the pregnancy, preparing the mother, father and baby for birth. BPP, a biophysical profile test combines an ultrasound with an NST. BPP looks for 5 things, breathing, movement, muscle tone, heart rate and amniotic fluids. This test is usually done when the baby’s health is in question. The NST test is done to ensure gestational diabetes hasn’t occurred to mom or baby. Fetal NST is a test done after the 28 week period. It’s also called a no-stress test because it doesn’t bother the baby at all. This test is done when the baby’s not moving around a lot, mom is overdue, etc. The test can also determine if the baby is getting enough oxygen.
