Women's Health

Maternity

Testing

As a expectant mom you realize the importance of prenatal care–of making sure you have regular checkups with your doctor, midwife, or other health care professional to monitor how your baby is doing before birth and how your body is doing during pregancy. During this prenatal care, you will be given some standard tests such as blood tests and urine tests–tests that all women routinely receive. Some tests are optional and you should discuss these with your health care provider to determine what is right for you and your baby.

If you or your baby are at an increased risk for certain conditions or birth defects, your doctor may recommend that you undergo genetic testing. Keep in mind, even though genetic testing has been recommended there is still a very good chance that the tests will reveal that your baby is healthy.

• One-Hour Glucola Testing

  Blood test for gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes develops during pregnancy and often disappears after the baby is born. This test is often done between 24 and 28 weeks.
• MSAFP - Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetal Protein

  This blood test is done between 15 and 18 weeks and screens for some birth defects such as spina bifida and Down's Syndrome.
• RH Factor
  If your blood is RH- (negative), blood will be drawn at 26 to 28 weeks and you will be given RhoGAM. RhoGam is given in order to prevent your body from developing antibodies to a possible RH+ (positive) baby.
• Hematocrit
  This is a blood test to rule out anemia (low iron in the blood).
• RPR
  This is a blood test to check for the sexually transmitted disease syphilis.
• Ultrasound
  An ultrasound is a method of imaging in which high-frequency sound waves bounce off the fetus and the women's internal organs to create a picture. The size, shape, position and number of babies can be determined by ultrasound. AN ultrasound is usually done between 16 and 20 weeks of pregnancy.
• Biophysical Profile (BPP)
  The Biophysical Profile is way for your health care provider to assess your ultrasound.
• Antepartum Fetal Testing
  Antepartum Fetal Testing includes fetal heart rate monitoring and ultrasound.
• Nonstress Testing (NST)
  Nonstress testing involves attaching a belt with a fetal heart rate and uterine contraction monitors around the mother's abdomen.
• Contraction Stress Testing (CST)
  In this type of test, a fetal heart rate monitor and uterine contraction monitor are placed around the maternal belly, and the fetal heart rate response to contractions is noted.
• Umbilical Artery Doppler
  This is an ultrasound technique that gauges how much resistance fetal blood encounters during its passage through the placenta.
• Fetal Movement (Kick Counts)
  This is a form of fetal monitoring where the mother-to-be can count fetal movement.

Genetic counseling can help you make important decisions, such as whether to have more children and whether to seek preventive or early treatment for a disease or disorder for which you or your child is at high risk.