The second trimester of pregnancy - what tests to take

You'll be curious to learn about your unborn child's growth during your pregnancy. Prenatal testing can provide important details about the health of your unborn child as well as your own.

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.

Routine Screenings & Other Tests

If you haven't already, you should get a pregnancy test to confirm the pregnancy and a comprehensive physical examination from the obstetrician that includes a pelvic exam during your first visit. We will also test your urine (pee) for protein, sugar, and infection indicators.

The doctor will incorporate the routine cervical test (Pap smear) if it is scheduled as part of the pelvic exam. This test finds alterations in your 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.

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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
• syphilis, HIV immunity, hepatitis B, chickenpox (varicella), German measles (rubella), and spinal muscular atrophy. Even in cases where there is no family history, health care practitioners now frequently offer to screen for these illnesses.

Up until delivery, you may anticipate having your blood pressure, weight, and urine tested at each (or nearly every) visit. Preeclampsia, or dangerously elevated blood pressure, and gestational diabetes are among the disorders that these tests can detect.

Depending on your age, health, and family history, you may be offered additional testing throughout the second trimester. Some parents also look into how the body reacts to this stage of pregnancy, and materials describing what happens during the second trimester may help understand these changes.

Multiple marker test

In order to screen for chromosomal abnormalities including Down syndrome and trisomy 18 as well as neural tube defects like spina bifida, this blood test is performed between weeks 15 and 20. To get more reliable results, test results might be linked with screening tests conducted during the first trimester.

Ultrasound 

Using sound waves to create images of the baby’s position and development, an ultrasound is a safe and painless test. A detailed scan is usually done between 18 and 20 weeks. This is also the period when many women receive more information through guides on ultrasound timing and benefits.

Glucose screening

This test looks for gestational diabetes, a temporary type of the disease that affects certain pregnant women and can have negative effects on the unborn child's health, particularly if left untreated. After consuming a sugary beverage, your blood will be drawn an hour later to measure your glucose levels.

Amniocentesis

During this test, a sample of the amniotic fluid around the infant is taken in order to look for indications of chromosomal diseases, genetic issues, and neural tube anomalies. It is typically performed between 15 and 20 weeks when indicated.

Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS)

This rapid technique uses fetal blood taken straight from the umbilical cord to look for fetal health issues. It is less common than other tests but may be used if earlier results are unclear.

What Other Tests Might Be Offered?

During pregnancy, medical professionals may prescribe further tests depending on risk factors, your personal medical history, and the medical histories of your partner. When there is a concern about inherited conditions, some families also turn to information about genetic analysis to better understand the process.

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 have the option to decline these tests, even though they are offered to you.

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Discuss any recommended tests with your healthcare professional. Understanding the purpose, benefits, and limitations of each test may help you feel more confident throughout the process. Emotional comfort also plays a role during this period — some readers find support in gentle practices for easing self-consciousness, such as how to overcome shyness, especially when navigating medical conversations.

If you are worried about going to the doctor related to your pregnancy, try AI apps for mental health. Soula is an AI assistant for Female Wellbeing, created to support women emotionally and informationally during the most challenging periods of their lives.