The first trimester of pregnancy - what tests to take
What Are Prenatal Tests?
Prenatal tests are examinations conducted to assess a woman's and her unborn child's health during pregnancy. They can identify conditions that, if left untreated, could put a baby at risk for issues including preterm birth. Tests can also assist medical professionals in identifying chromosomal abnormalities or birth defects.
Certain prenatal tests are screening tests that are limited to identifying potential issues. Diagnostic tests that reliably determine whether a fetus has a particular issue are among the other prenatal examinations. A diagnostic test may occasionally come after a screening test.
Find out about the advantages and disadvantages of every test your doctor suggests. Prenatal testing, according to most parents, help them feel more at ease and ready for the arrival of their kid. However, you have the option to accept or reject a test.
What Tests Are Done at the Prenatal First Visit?
Verifying that you are pregnant and determining whether you or your unborn child may be at risk for any health issues are two of the main objectives of your initial appointment with the obstetrician.
In addition to taking your blood pressure and measuring your weight, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination that may include a pelvic and breast exam. During the pelvic exam, the doctor will do your routine cervical test (Pap smear) if it is due. This test finds alterations in cervical cells that may result in cancer. Your doctor will also check for sexually transmitted infections (STDs) including gonorrhea and chlamydia during the pelvic exam.
You could have a urine pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. This test looks for the hormone and pregnancy sign known as hCG. Tests are also performed on your urine (pee) for protein, sugar, and infection indicators. Your due date is determined using the date of your most recent menstrual cycle (period) once your pregnancy has been verified. An ultrasound examination can occasionally be used to determine this.
A blood test will look for conditions such as:
- your Rh factor and blood type. You might develop antibodies that could harm your fetus if your spouse has Rh positive blood and yours is Rh negative. An injectable administered around the 28th week of pregnancy can stop this from happening.
- Low red blood cell count, or anemia
- HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B
- immunity to chickenpox (varicella) and German measles (rubella), spinal muscular atrophy, and cystic fibrosis. Even in cases where there is no family history, health care practitioners now frequently offer to screen for these illnesses.
What Other Tests Are Done in the First Trimester?
Following the initial appointment, you should anticipate having your blood pressure, weight, and urine examined at each (or almost every) visit until the delivery. Preeclampsia, or dangerously elevated blood pressure, and gestational diabetes are among the conditions that these tests can detect.
Depending on your age, health, medical history in your family, and other factors, you may be offered additional tests throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. These may consist of:
First trimester screening
This examination consists of both an ultrasound and a blood test. It aids in identifying the fetus's potential for birth disorders like cardiac issues or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
Ultrasound
Sound waves are used in this painless and safe examination to create images that depict the baby's position and shape. It can be done as part of the first trimester screening at weeks 11–14, or early in the trimester to date the pregnancy. Several ultrasounds may be performed on women with high-risk pregnancies throughout the first trimester.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS):
This examination determines whether placental cells have any chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. It can determine with certainty if a baby will be born with a particular chromosomal abnormality and can be performed between weeks 10 and 13.
Cell-free DNA testing/Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS)
This blood test looks for traces of the mother's fetal DNA. It can be performed as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy to determine whether the fetus is at risk for a chromosomal abnormality. It's not a test for diagnosis. Another test is required to confirm or rule out the diagnosis if the results are abnormal. Usually, expectant women who are older or who have given birth to a child with a chromosomal issue are offered it since they are at a higher risk.
What Other Tests Might Be Offered?
During a woman's pregnancy, medical professionals may prescribe further tests depending on risk factors, her personal medical history, and the medical histories of her partner. If your child is susceptible to any inherited diseases, it is imperative that you consult a genetic counselor.
Among the available screening or diagnostic tests are those for:
- thyroid disease
- toxoplasmosis
- hepatitis C
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Tay-Sachs disease
- fragile X syndrome
- tuberculosis
- Canavan disease (a rare neurological disorder)
Recall that you are offered exams, and you are free to decline them.
Consult with your healthcare professional to determine the appropriate tests for you. Discuss the reasons behind the recommendation, the advantages and disadvantages of the test, and what the results can and cannot reveal.
If you are worried about going to the doctor related to your pregnancy, try Soula. Soula is AI assistant for Female Wellbeing.
Soula have been specifically designed for women, tackling their unique challenges on their journey towards success and joy.
Soula is here 24/7 to provide women with emotional and informational support during the most challenging periods of their lives, aiming to prevent anxiety, burnout, and depression through neuroscience techniques and conversational AI.
What Are Prenatal Tests?
Prenatal tests are examinations conducted to assess a woman's and her unborn child's health during pregnancy. They can identify conditions that, if left untreated, could put a baby at risk for issues including preterm birth. Tests can also assist medical professionals in identifying chromosomal abnormalities or birth defects.
Certain prenatal tests are screening tests that are limited to identifying potential issues. Diagnostic tests that reliably determine whether a fetus has a particular issue are among the other prenatal examinations. A diagnostic test may occasionally come after a screening test.
Find out about the advantages and disadvantages of every test your doctor suggests. Prenatal testing, according to most parents, help them feel more at ease and ready for the arrival of their kid. However, you have the option to accept or reject a test.
What Tests Are Done at the Prenatal First Visit?
Verifying that you are pregnant and determining whether you or your unborn child may be at risk for any health issues are two of the main objectives of your initial appointment with the obstetrician.
In addition to taking your blood pressure and measuring your weight, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination that may include a pelvic and breast exam. During the pelvic exam, the doctor will do your routine cervical test (Pap smear) if it is due. This test finds alterations in cervical cells that may result in cancer. Your doctor will also check for sexually transmitted infections (STDs) including gonorrhea and chlamydia during the pelvic exam.
You could have a urine pregnancy test to confirm your pregnancy. This test looks for the hormone and pregnancy sign known as hCG. Tests are also performed on your urine (pee) for protein, sugar, and infection indicators. Your due date is determined using the date of your most recent menstrual cycle (period) once your pregnancy has been verified. An ultrasound examination can occasionally be used to determine this.
A blood test will look for conditions such as:
- your Rh factor and blood type. You might develop antibodies that could harm your fetus if your spouse has Rh positive blood and yours is Rh negative. An injectable administered around the 28th week of pregnancy can stop this from happening.
- Low red blood cell count, or anemia
- HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B
- immunity to chickenpox (varicella) and German measles (rubella), spinal muscular atrophy, and cystic fibrosis. Even in cases where there is no family history, health care practitioners now frequently offer to screen for these illnesses.
What Other Tests Are Done in the First Trimester?
Following the initial appointment, you should anticipate having your blood pressure, weight, and urine examined at each (or almost every) visit until the delivery. Preeclampsia, or dangerously elevated blood pressure, and gestational diabetes are among the conditions that these tests can detect.
Depending on your age, health, medical history in your family, and other factors, you may be offered additional tests throughout the first trimester of pregnancy. These may consist of:
First trimester screening
This examination consists of both an ultrasound and a blood test. It aids in identifying the fetus's potential for birth disorders like cardiac issues or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
Ultrasound
Sound waves are used in this painless and safe examination to create images that depict the baby's position and shape. It can be done as part of the first trimester screening at weeks 11–14, or early in the trimester to date the pregnancy. Several ultrasounds may be performed on women with high-risk pregnancies throughout the first trimester.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS):
This examination determines whether placental cells have any chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. It can determine with certainty if a baby will be born with a particular chromosomal abnormality and can be performed between weeks 10 and 13.
Cell-free DNA testing/Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS)
This blood test looks for traces of the mother's fetal DNA. It can be performed as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy to determine whether the fetus is at risk for a chromosomal abnormality. It's not a test for diagnosis. Another test is required to confirm or rule out the diagnosis if the results are abnormal. Usually, expectant women who are older or who have given birth to a child with a chromosomal issue are offered it since they are at a higher risk.
What Other Tests Might Be Offered?
During a woman's pregnancy, medical professionals may prescribe further tests depending on risk factors, her personal medical history, and the medical histories of her partner. If your child is susceptible to any inherited diseases, it is imperative that you consult a genetic counselor.
Among the available screening or diagnostic tests are those for:
- thyroid disease
- toxoplasmosis
- hepatitis C
- cytomegalovirus (CMV)
- Tay-Sachs disease
- fragile X syndrome
- tuberculosis
- Canavan disease (a rare neurological disorder)
Recall that you are offered exams, and you are free to decline them.
Consult with your healthcare professional to determine the appropriate tests for you. Discuss the reasons behind the recommendation, the advantages and disadvantages of the test, and what the results can and cannot reveal.
If you are worried about going to the doctor related to your pregnancy, try Soula. Soula is AI assistant for Female Wellbeing.
Soula have been specifically designed for women, tackling their unique challenges on their journey towards success and joy.
Soula is here 24/7 to provide women with emotional and informational support during the most challenging periods of their lives, aiming to prevent anxiety, burnout, and depression through neuroscience techniques and conversational AI.
