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Healthy You Archives Healthy You Archives |
Just for Women
You’re Pregnant! It’s Time for Some TestsWhich prenatal screenings do you really need?Years ago, childbirth held nothing but surprises for new parents—some happy, some potentially devastating. But thanks to today’s prenatal tests and the new specialty of maternal/fetal medicine, parents-to-be are much better prepared.Some prenatal tests are simple tests required for all pregnant women, to check for illnesses or conditions that can interfere with pregnancy or affect the baby. Others are more complex tests for women at risk for pregnancy-related problems. Chances are, your doctor will be able to treat a problem successfully—especially if it’s detected early. All the routine tests and many of the others are covered by insurance. Tests You'll Get RoutinelyBlood test—to check for:Low iron levels or anemia —Low iron can cause you to feel more tired during pregnancy and may increase your risk for premature delivery. It’s correctable with iron supplements.Blood type and Rh factor— If your blood type is Rh negative and your baby’s is Rh positive, your body may react as if it is allergic to the fetus. To be safe, all pregnant women with Rh negative blood are given injections to ensure blood compatibility. Diabetes— A glucose tolerance test screens for this disorder. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to birth defects and an oversized baby, which can complicate delivery. Immunity to rubella (German measles)— Babies born to mothers who had rubella during pregnancy can suffer birth defects. Syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV— Left untreated, these diseases can be passed to your baby. Urine test—to check for:Diabetes— High levels of sugar in the urine can signal diabetes.Infections— Excess protein in urine can signal an infection of the urinary tract, bladder or kidney. Untreated infections can be passed to the baby, raising the risk for premature birth. High blood pressure— Excess protein also can signal high blood pressure (called pre-eclampsia) in late pregnancy. This can cause poor fetal growth and premature delivery. Untreated, it can lead to a life-threatening condition called eclampsia, which can cause seizures and coma in the mother. Cervical exam and PAP test—to check for:Sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea) and Group B streptococcus infection—Left untreated, these can cause serious infections in a newborn.Cervical cancer— If caught early, this cancer has a high survival rate. Ultrasound—to check for:Development, age and growth rate of your fetus as well as any potential problems. Typically, you’ll have a first ultrasound at 18-20 weeks (though some doctors recommend it earlier). Depending on the results, you may have more than one ultrasound during your pregnancy.Tests your doctor may recommendQuad screen— This blood test assesses your risk for having a baby with Down syndrome or other chromosomal problems, or a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. Done at 16 weeks, the test only addresses the risk for these defects; it can’t provide a “yes” or “no” answer. Many insurers only pay for a portion of the quad screen, so check your plan.Tests for high-risk pregnanciesYour doctor may consider your pregnancy “high-risk” if you have an existing medical condition such as high blood pressure or diabetes; develop a condition during pregnancy; are age 35 or older; have a history of miscarriages or premature deliveries; are carrying more than one baby, or have chromosomal problems in your family.If you are at risk, your doctor may suggest consulting a maternal/fetal medicine physician, a doctor specializing in helping high-risk pregnant women achieve an optimal outcome. Your doctor also may ask you to have some of these tests: Amniocentesis— Doctors remove a small amount of fluid and cells from the sac surrounding the fetus. Then they test them for genetic or chromosomal abnormalities. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)— Doctors remove a few cells from the placenta and test these cells for genetic or chromosomal problems. Cystic fibrosis (CF) screening— This blood or saliva test helps determine whether you or your partner carry the CF gene. If you both do (and carriers may not have the disease themselves), there is a higher risk that your baby will have CF, a disease that causes digestion and breathing problems. Genetic counseling— If you or your family have an inherited disease or genetic problems, your doctor may refer you to a genetic counselor to talk about your risk for passing these problems on to your baby. Thyroid screen— If you have diabetes or another autoimmune disease when you become pregnant, you’re at higher risk for developing a thyroid disorder during pregnancy. A blood test can detect thyroid problems. Left untreated, they raise the risk for miscarriage, premature delivery and pre-eclampsia.
Want to Know More about the tests your newborn baby will need? Call 610-402-CARE or click here. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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