Second Trimester Screening Ultrasound and Blood Tests Explained
Routine Tests
You continue to have urine tested for protein, sugar, and infection indicators at every doctor's appointment. Both your blood pressure and weight are taken by the physician or nurse.
The sounds of your baby's heart and the measurement of your fast expanding belly are more exciting.
Fundal height. At each visit, your doctor will measure the height of your uterus (fundal height). This helps verify the baby's growth.
Fetal heart tones. Your doctor can probably hear a fetal heart tone using a hand-held ultrasound device.
Ultrasounds
Sonograms, as they are often known, are typically provided around week 20, though they can be done at any point in the pregnancy. There are several reasons why a sonogram might be recommended, such as confirming the due date, looking for multiple fetuses, looking into issues like placenta previa, which is a low-lying placenta, or delayed fetal growth, or looking for abnormalities like cleft palate.
You could occasionally be referred to a specialist for additional genetic testing if results seem suspicious of a genetic issue.
A gadget that transmits sound waves across the abdomen during the process projects an image of the uterus and fetus onto a computer monitor. Though they're not widely available and their effectiveness in promoting a safe pregnancy or delivery over two-dimensional images is debatable, newer three-dimensional sonograms offer an even crisper image of your child.
A Doppler ultrasonography exam measures blood flow through a blood artery using sound waves. You can find out if the placenta and fetus are receiving normal blood flow via fetal Doppler ultrasound.
Glucose screening
This is a normal test for pregnancy-induced diabetes, which can cause huge infants, difficult deliveries, and health issues for both you and your unborn child. It is usually performed at 24 to 28 weeks. An hour after consuming a glass of a particular soda, your blood sugar level is measured for this test. If the result is high, you will undergo a more sensitive glucose-tolerance test in which your blood will be obtained every two to three hours while you consume a glucose solution on an empty stomach.
Optional Screening for Birth Defects
Your doctor may recommend additional screening for birth problems during the second trimester, particularly if you are older than 35 or have a family history of birth defects. Depending on your risk factors and the findings of any first trimester test, your doctor will recommend the course of action that is appropriate for you. It should be noted that regardless of a woman's age or risk, doctors recommend the multiple marker screen to all women.
Routine Tests
You continue to have urine tested for protein, sugar, and infection indicators at every doctor's appointment. Both your blood pressure and weight are taken by the physician or nurse.
The sounds of your baby's heart and the measurement of your fast expanding belly are more exciting.
Fundal height. At each visit, your doctor will measure the height of your uterus (fundal height). This helps verify the baby's growth.
Fetal heart tones. Your doctor can probably hear a fetal heart tone using a hand-held ultrasound device.
Ultrasounds
Sonograms, as they are often known, are typically provided around week 20, though they can be done at any point in the pregnancy. There are several reasons why a sonogram might be recommended, such as confirming the due date, looking for multiple fetuses, looking into issues like placenta previa, which is a low-lying placenta, or delayed fetal growth, or looking for abnormalities like cleft palate.
You could occasionally be referred to a specialist for additional genetic testing if results seem suspicious of a genetic issue.
A gadget that transmits sound waves across the abdomen during the process projects an image of the uterus and fetus onto a computer monitor. Though they're not widely available and their effectiveness in promoting a safe pregnancy or delivery over two-dimensional images is debatable, newer three-dimensional sonograms offer an even crisper image of your child.
A Doppler ultrasonography exam measures blood flow through a blood artery using sound waves. You can find out if the placenta and fetus are receiving normal blood flow via fetal Doppler ultrasound.
Glucose screening
This is a normal test for pregnancy-induced diabetes, which can cause huge infants, difficult deliveries, and health issues for both you and your unborn child. It is usually performed at 24 to 28 weeks. An hour after consuming a glass of a particular soda, your blood sugar level is measured for this test. If the result is high, you will undergo a more sensitive glucose-tolerance test in which your blood will be obtained every two to three hours while you consume a glucose solution on an empty stomach.
Optional Screening for Birth Defects
Your doctor may recommend additional screening for birth problems during the second trimester, particularly if you are older than 35 or have a family history of birth defects. Depending on your risk factors and the findings of any first trimester test, your doctor will recommend the course of action that is appropriate for you. It should be noted that regardless of a woman's age or risk, doctors recommend the multiple marker screen to all women.
