Fetal Testing During Pregnancy

Blood Testing The first blood test will take place during the first prenatal exam An analysis of blood can detect complications like anemia or infections, for example toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis can be harmful to your baby if it crosses paths with the placenta It can tell you what your blood type is- A, AB, B, or O, Rh Factor(positive or negative), iron, glucose, and hemoglobin levels

Urine Test Routine part of your prenatal care It can detect bladder and kidney infections, dehydration, diabetes, and preeclampsia It looks for high levels of sugar- (that could suggest gestational diabetes), protein levels, ketones and bacteria *Preeclampsia is high blood pressure during your pregnancy-protein in urine can be an indication

Rh Factor Testing A blood test will tell you your Rh factor It’s problematic if the baby is Rh positive and the mother is Rh negative Your body can be allergic to the baby if the baby’s positive blood mixes with the mother’s blood. The mother’s blood can make antibodies against the Rh antigens Your antibodies can attack the baby’s blood and can cause anemia, serious illness, damage to the brain or death resulting in miscarriage To prevent this from happening the mother is injected with Rh immunoglobulin (Rhlg)

First Trimester Testing Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) -This is procedure takes place in between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. -Doctor takes a sample of the placenta and amniotic fluids to see any defects with the baby’s chromosomes -1 in 200 women result in miscarriage in result of this test -Conception to birth notes

First Trimester Testing Cont. Nuchal Translucency Screening (NTS) -Can be performed between 11 and 14 weeks -Uses an ultrasound and blood test to calculate the risk of some birth defects -In a recent study, NTS found 87% of cases of Down Syndrome when done at 11 weeks -However, like all tests, the results are sometimes misleading and possibly give you a false positive. -Conception to Birth Notes

Second Trimester Testing Amniocentesis -Procedure done at least 16 weeks -Doctors insert a needle through your abdomen and take amniotic fluid -The cells are then grown in a lab for chromosome problems -1 in 200 women result in miscarriage after this procedure -Conception to Birth Notes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZcGpjyOXt0

Second Trimester Testing Cont. Targeted Ultrasound -best time is between 18 and 20 weeks -Most major problems with the way your baby is formed is seen at this time -Possible physical defects like clubbed feet -If you want to find out the sex of your baby, you would ask during this test

Quad Screening Maternal blood test that looks for the presence of AFP, hCG, estriol, and Inhibin-A AFP-(alpha- fetoprotein) a protein produced by the fetus hCG-(human chorionic gonadotropin) hormone produced in the placenta Estriol-an estrogen that is produced by the fetus and mother Inhibin-A- protein produced by ovaries and placenta Screening is done between the 16th and 18th week of pregnancy Looks for the high and low levels of AFP, abnormal levels of hCG and estriol, and high levels of Inhibin-A The results access probabilities of genetic disorders -Americanpregnancy.org

Cordocentesis : Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling Used to find abnormalities with the fetus by examining the fetus’s blood A needle is inserted into the umbilical cord to get a sample of the baby’s blood Occurs after the 17th week of pregnancy, and is done if inadequate information was obtained from amniocentesis It is an invasive procedure but with very low risks -mayoclinic.com

Third Trimester Testing Biophysical Profile -two parts, the Non-stress Test and an ultrasound evaluation -determines fetal health -involves attaching a belt to the mother’s abdomen to measure fetal heart rate and another belt to measure contractions -the ultrasound may take up to an hour, and the technician will watch for a variety of signs that are important in measuring the health of your baby. -americanpregnancy.org

Third Trimester Testing Cont. Group B Strep Infection (GBS) -can be found in the vagina or rectum, found in 15% to 40% of all healthy, adult women. -performed between 35 and 37 weeks -swab of both the vagina and the rectum -results come back within 24 to 48 hours

Third Trimester Testing Cont. Glucose Screening Test -performed between 26 and 28 weeks -the mother is asked to drink a sweet liquid and then will have blood drawn one hour from having the drink, as blood glucose levels normally peak within one hour -The test evaluates how your body processes sugar. A high level in your blood may indicate that your body is not processing sugar effectively

Third Trimester Testing Cont. Glucose Tolerance Test -you will not be permitted to eat or drink anything but sips of water for 14 hours prior to the test, so it is best to schedule the test for first thing in the morning -the technician will draw blood to measure your baseline “fasting blood glucose level” -If only one of your readings comes back abnormal, your doctor may suggest some changes to your diet and/or test you again later in the pregnancy. If two or more of your readings come back abnormal, you’ll be diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes and your doctor will talk to you about a treatment

Works Cited Conception to Birth Notes www.mayoclinic.com www.amercanpregnancy.org