During pregnancy, your doctor may order a series of prenatal tests to assess any possible problems or health risks related to your pregnancy.

Most of these prenatal tests are done during the initial pregnancy check up with your doctor as he or she will need a medical record to compare the status of pregnancy and your health.

Other common prenatal tests may be done several times during your pregnancy to help prevent any pregnancy complications that may affect you and your baby’s health.

These tests are important in prenatal care because it will provide your doctor the necessary information to ensure that you will have a healthy pregnancy.

 

List of Prenatal Tests

Hemoglobin and Hematocrit – This is a prenatal test that detects anemia. This test is done by extracting blood from arm. It allows the doctors to examine and monitor pregnant mother’s blood volume.

This test is done during the initial prenatal visit and is repeated during the 28th week of pregnancy.

Urinalysis – Detects if mother has high levels of sugar, protein and other bacterial infection. This is done every time you visit your doctor for a prenatal check-up.

Blood Type and Rh Factor – This prenatal test is usually carried out during your first visit to your doctor. The test is also done by drawing out blood sample from arm. This test examines blood type and it determines if there’s a risk of mother/baby Rh Blood incompatibility.

Antibody Screen – This is done during the initial visit and is repeated during the 28th week of pregnancy (if mother has been tested negative for Rh incompatibility). This test determines if mother has blood type incompatibility with her baby.

Rubella or German Measles Antibody Test – Prenatal test done during the first visit. It allows your doctors determine your immunity to this disease. Rubella or German measles can cause possible birth defects if not treated during pregnancy.

VDRL Prenatal Test – This is a test to screen if mother has syphilis. This test is done on the first visit for early treatment. Syphilis may cause severe infection to the baby if not diagnosed and treated immediately.

Blood Sugar – This is to be monitored by your doctor upon the first check-up if you have diabetes. The test is done by taking a blood sample after giving the mother a special high-sugar drink. It detects high levels of sugar in blood.

Chlamydia – Done during the first visit and this test may be repeated during the 36th week of pregnancy. This is the screening of any diseases or infection in the cervix, urethra or rectal area to determine possible infections that may affect the baby.

HIV (AIDS) – Screening done at the first visit. Checks if mother is positive with HIV. If positive, there is a possibility that this may be passed on to the baby.

Hepatitis B – Screening test done at the initial prenatal check-up. This test is to determine if mother is positive with Hepa B. If positive, the baby should be treated immediately after birth.

Gonorrhea – Test to screen if mother has this sexually transmitted disease. If not diagnosed and treated immediately it may infect the baby during birth.

 

Elective Prenatal Testing (Fetal Well-being Tests)

These tests are not really necessary, but oftentimes it is recommended by doctors depending on the mother’s health and circumstances during pregnancy.

Amniocentesis – Can be done sometime during the 15th to 18th week of pregnancy. It can be done during the later weeks depending on mother’s situation. This prenatal test is done by inserting a needle in the abdomen and a small amount of amniotic fluid from the uterus is taken.

Amniocentesis is done to detect any potential disorders such as the following: Down’s syndrome, Rh disease, spina bifida and other genetic disorders. It also allows the doctors to determine baby’s lung maturity if in case there’s a possibility of a preterm labor.

Chorionic Villus Sampling – Done somewhere during the 9th to 11th week, it’s also used to make sure that there are no present possible genetic disorders. This is done by inserting a slim tube through the cervix and getting a small sample of placenta.

Serum Alpha Fetoprotein – 16th to 18th week of pregnancy. Detects if there are any severe defects in baby’s brain and spinal cord development.

Ultrasound/ Sonography – This can be done anytime during pregnancy. Doctors use hand held scanner and lubricant over pregnant mom’s abdomen and it determines baby’s gender, confirms date of delivery, growth and position of the baby.

To follow your baby’s growth visit fetal week by week development.