Pregnancy is an incredible, life-changing journey, but it also comes with a brand-new “to-do”list. Balancing the excitement with your doctor’s orders can feel overwhelming, but keeping up with your prenatal tests is one of the simplest ways to protect your health and your baby’s future.
It All Starts With a Positive Pregnancy Test
A pregnancy test serves to detect the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone, which the body produces in the placenta when a woman becomes pregnant. For the most accurate results, it is advisable to do it during the first two weeks after a missed period.
There are two types of pregnancy tests: urine and blood tests.
You must go to a doctor for a blood test and you’ll need to wait a couple of days to get the results. These tests, however, are more accurate than urine tests as they detect the exact amount of hCG in the blood.
Still, the urine pregnancy test is usually most women’s first choice as it can be conducted at home. These tests are available at pharmacies, and you don’t need a prescription to buy them. And the tests results are usually delivered within a few minutes.
Next Up: Prenatal Testing
During your pregnancy, a healthcare provider can offer two types of testing: screening and diagnostic tests.
- Screening tests evaluate the probability of potential health risks for the baby or mother. They don’t provide a diagnosis but confirm whether additional tests are needed. These tests are entirely noninvasive. Doctors usually run blood tests or do ultrasounds during the first and second trimesters.
- Diagnostics detect specific genetic conditions. These are usually semi-invasive, like amniocentesis. As such, they are not part of regular pregnancy check-ups. A healthcare provider would encourage them when screening tests show an increased risk, or if an expecting parent requests it, often due to family history.
Screening Tests for Every Trimester
Each trimester requires different testing. Here’s what to expect.
First Trimester
By the tenth week of pregnancy, expectant mothers usually undergo three types of tests. These evaluate the probability of genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome.
During pregnancy, doctors perform a variety of ultrasound tests, and one is for fetal nuchal translucency (NT). That is a specialized test designed to measure the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby’s neck. The measurement taken serves as an early indicator of certain chromosomal variations.
Next up are two maternal serum tests. Doctors use these tests to examine two important substances made in the placenta. The first is the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone, and the second is pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A).
Healthcare providers will run additional blood tests to determine the overall state of your health, like risks of anemia, your blood type, and the Rh factor.
Additional note: Some fear a negative Rh factor can cause a miscarriage, but that’s not accurate. What you need to know is that in situations like spotting or an early pregnancy loss, an Rh-negative mother’s body may produce antibodies that could complicate future pregnancies.
That’s why identifying the Rh-factor early in pregnancy is important, as it allows doctors to protect the mother and baby with a simple, routine injection.
Second Trimester
In this phase, doctors will run various blood tests known as quad markers. You will also undergo testing for gestational diabetes and amniotic fluid.
Quad marker screening is a test that focuses on four specific markers: a protein from the baby’s liver (AFP) and three hormones made in the placenta (hCG, estriol, and inhibin). These four markers help healthcare providers see if there’s a risk of developing genetic conditions such as Down Syndrome.
Amniocentesis is a test typically run when a family history requires it. It confirms the presence of Down Syndrome and spina bifida, which is a birth defect that stops the spinal cord from growing.
A glucose screening test checks for gestational diabetes. It is a temporary condition (it resolves after delivery) that can develop during pregnancy. When a mother-to-be is diagnosed with gestational diabetes, their baby is usually larger, which can lead to a cesarean delivery.
Third Trimester
When you enter the third trimester, between the 36th and 37th weeks, the doctor will perform a Group B Streptococcus (GBS) screening. It is a routine test that checks for a specific type of bacteria that naturally lives in the lower intestinal tract, rectum, or vagina of about 25% of healthy adults.
While it can’t harm the adult, if present in the birth canal, it could put the baby in danger. Passed to a baby during a vaginal birth, it can cause severe infections.
If you test positive for this bacteria, there’s no need to panic. Your healthcare provider will give you intravenous antibiotics during delivery to protect your baby from catching it.
Talk to your doctor today to map out your personal care timeline and ensure a healthier, happier pregnancy for all concerned. Knowing which tests you need to undergo during the correct trimester helps ensure your pregnancy goes smoothly, giving you and your baby the peace of mind you deserve.
