Routine Prenatal Screening and Tests During Pregnancy.

 

Having a baby involves a lot of planning and anticipation. We must admit that some of these ideas are downright terrifying. If the mere thought of prenatal screening tests causes you to feel anxious, believe me when I say, you are not alone. However, knowledge is power. For that reason, in this article, I am going to break down for you in an easy way what are all the Routine Prenatal Screening and Tests During Pregnancy. Ready? Let’s begin.

Routine Prenatal Screening and Tests During Pregnancy.

Let’s clear up some of the confusion surrounding the prenatal tests you may undergo (or choose not to do). Keep in mind that your doctor is a valuable resource for you to turn to if you have any questions or concerns regarding your tests or their interpretations.

Why Routine Prenatal Screening and Testing During Pregnancy.

A wide range of possible diagnostic procedures during pregnancy fall under the umbrella phrase “prenatal screening tests,” which your doctor may suggest, or you may choose to do.

• The purpose of several prenatal screening procedures is to identify the presence or absence of certain diseases or chromosomal abnormalities (such as Down syndrome) in an unborn child.
• Most of these screenings occur in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, so your doctor probably discussed them at your first prenatal checkup.
• You can only learn the likelihood that a condition exists via a screening test of this kind. To put it another way, it’s not a guarantee of anything. Most OBs will recommend these, but they aren’t mandatory.
• If the test comes out positive, other diagnostic tests, some of which may be intrusive, can help you and your doctor get to the bottom of things.
• Other prenatal screening tests are common medical examinations performed to detect potential problems with the mother, the developing baby, or both. The glucose tolerance test is one approach to detect gestational diabetes, which is treatable.
• Pregnant women who are at a higher risk of having a child with a certain ailment are often offered additional screening tests. A tuberculin (TB) skin test, for instance, can be recommended if you’ve ever lived in a place where tuberculosis is widespread.
• At what point in a pregnant woman’s term do doctors often perform screening tests?
• Screening exams for the first trimester of pregnancy can start as early as 10 weeks. Typical diagnostic procedures include a blood test and an ultrasound. Babies are screened for genetic disorders like Down syndrome and their general development is evaluated.

Additionally, your baby will be screened for developmental issues like heart disease and cystic fibrosis.

• All of this is a lot to take in. However, the fact that these extremely early screening tests can also identify your baby’s sex has piqued the interest of many parents. For example, the non-invasive prenatal test that determines whether you’re having a boy, or a girl involves a simple blood draw (NIPT)
• Depending on your age and other risk factors, your healthcare practitioner may not offer the NIPT blood draw. Ask about it, though, if that’s what you’re after.
• Between 14 and 18 weeks of pregnancy, it may be time for a screening test. A blood test can help determine your likelihood of having a child affected by Down syndrome or another birth abnormality of the nervous system.
• Ultrasounds, which provide an in-depth look at the developing fetus or infant, are commonly performed between the ages of 18 and 22 weeks.
• If any of these tests turn up abnormal results, your doctor may recommend additional screenings or diagnostic procedures to learn more about your unborn child.

Being that said, Let’s break it down by Trimesters. Routine Prenatal Screening and Tests During Pregnancy. 

First trimester screening and Tests 

Ultrasound

• In order to produce an image of the developing fetus in the uterus, an ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves.
• The purpose of the test is to detect any structural anomalies in the developing bones and organs of the fetus, ascertain the gestational age of the fetus, and establish the size and position of the fetus.
• Between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy, a specific ultrasound called a nuchal translucency ultrasound is conducted. Fluid buildup behind the baby’s neck is evaluated via ultrasonography.
• When there is more fluid than usual, the likelihood of having a child with Down syndrome increases. (However, the evidence does not provide a definite answer).

Preliminary blood testing

• In the first trimester of pregnancy, your doctor may request either a sequential integrated screening test or a serum integrated screening.
• Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A and human chorionic gonadotropin are two chemicals whose blood concentrations are monitored by these tests.
• An increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities is associated with aberrant levels of either.
• Screening for syphilis, hepatitis B, and HIV may also be performed on blood samples taken during the initial prenatal appointment, in addition to checking for rubella immunity. Testing for anemia in your blood is also likely to be performed.
• Your Rh factor and blood type will be determined by a blood test to ensure you are genetically compatible with your developing fetus. People are either Rh-positive or Rh-negative.
• If you are Rh-negative, your body will create antibodies that could potentially harm future pregnancies. Most people are Rh-positive.
• When a Rh incompatibility is present, most women will receive an injection of Rh-immune globulin at 28 weeks’ gestation and again a few days after delivery.
• If the mother is Rh-negative and the child is Rh-positive, there will be incompatibility. The mother will need the injection if she is Rh-negative and her baby is Rh-positive. If her unborn child is Rh-negative, she won’t.
• Please be aware that there is no painless way to find out your baby’s blood type before they are born.

Sampling of Chorionic Vili

• Invasive screening procedures like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) require removing a small sample of tissue from the placenta. If a noninvasive screening procedure yields abnormal results, your doctor may recommend this test.
• Usually done between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy, it can detect chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome and genetic disorders like cystic fibrosis.
• Two distinct varieties of CVS exist. One type is a transabdominal test, which examines the belly, and the other is a transcervical test, which examines the cervix.
• Intestinal cramping and menstruation are two of the less pleasant consequences of testing. Miscarriage is possible, albeit it is uncommon. This examination is voluntary; completion is not required.

Second trimester screening and Tests 

Ultrasound

A more in-depth ultrasound, also known as a fetal anatomy survey, is performed to examine the developing baby from head to toe during the second trimester.

Your OB will appreciate the opportunity to get a good look at your baby’s organs in the second trimester, and you’ll enjoy getting to see those toes and fingers for the first time. However, a second-trimester ultrasound cannot rule out all potential problems with your baby; the additional screens described below can help with that.

Diagnostic Procedures Using Blood

The second trimester is the time for the blood test known as the quad marker screening test. Using this information, your doctor can determine if you are at high risk for having a child with Down syndrome, neural tube anomalies, or abdominal wall abnormalities. In this case, four fetal proteins are being measured (thus the name “quad”).

If you delay getting prenatal care and miss out on serum integrated screening or sequential integrated screening, a quad marker screening may be offered instead.

When compared to a sequential integrated screening test or a serum integrated screening test, it has a lower detection rate for Down syndrome and other abnormalities.

Assessment of blood glucose levels

Gestational diabetes is diagnosed using a glucose screening test. Fortunately, this is very transitory and normally goes away after the baby is born.

This glucose screening is routine for everyone, regardless of risk status. Furthermore, it is important to remember that even if you have never had diabetes before, you are still at risk of developing gestational diabetes.

Babies born to women with gestational diabetes are often larger than babies delivered to mothers without the condition. In the days after birth, your infant may potentially have low blood sugar.

If your doctor’s practice is like some others, they may first have you drink a syrupy solution and then check your blood sugar levels in roughly an hour.

If your numbers are high, your doctor will schedule a longer glucose tolerance test during which you will fast before the procedure, have blood drawn to determine your fasting blood sugar level, then drink a sugary solution and have your blood sugar levels monitored every hour for three hours.

The longer glucose tolerance test is the one some doctors will only administer. If you have specific risk factors for developing gestational diabetes, you may also be advised to have this additional, more extensive test.

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you should be retested 10 years later to determine if you have developed type 2 diabetes.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is a procedure in which amniotic fluid is taken from the uterus for analysis. During pregnancy, the infant is bathed in a protective fluid called amniotic fluid. It has the baby’s genetic material in fetal cells and other compounds made by the fetus.

Down syndrome and spina bifida are just two of the genetic anomalies that can be detected during amniocentesis. After about the 15th week of pregnancy, doctors will typically do an amniocentesis to check for genetic abnormalities. The following conditions warrant consideration:

If Abnormal results were found in a pregnancy screening test.

• You carried a child with a chromosomal defect from a prior pregnancy.
• You’ve reached the age of 35 or above.
• A certain genetic disease runs in your family
• Either you or your potential partner is a carrier for a genetic illness.

Third trimester screening and Tests 

Assessment for Group B Strep

The bacteria known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS) can cause life-threatening illnesses in both pregnant mothers and their newborn children.

If you are pregnant, having GBS in your vagina isn’t dangerous. However, a vaginally delivered infant without an established immune system is particularly vulnerable to its effects. Newborns exposed to GBS can develop life-threatening illnesses.

At 36 to 37 weeks of pregnancy, a swab can be obtained from the vagina and rectum to test for GBS. If your GBS test comes back positive, your doctor may prescribe medicines for you to take while you’re giving birth to lower the likelihood that your baby may get the infection.

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Looking for more helpful information about pregnancy? Check any link below.

How to Relieve Stress During Pregnancy.

Leg Cramps During Pregnancy: What to Do.

How to Get Rid of Round Ligament Pain During Pregnancy.

Information about Spina Bifida ultrasound.

Final thoughts about Routine Prenatal Screening and Tests During Pregnancy. 

Pregnancy is a time of great anticipation and, sometimes, anxiety. You might worry that your baby will have health problems. While most babies are born healthy, it’s important to understand your options for obtaining details about your baby’s health.

Pregnant women may benefit greatly from the information provided by prenatal screening tests. Some of these exams are more open to individual preference than others, even though many of them are considered standard.

If you are unsure whether or not you should get screened, or if you are experiencing any anxiety about doing so, talk to your doctor. Requesting a referral to a genetic counselor is another option. The risks and advantages of various prenatal screenings can be discussed with your healthcare provider team as well.

Zadi, xo

Disclaimer: The medical information on this post is for informational, educational and entertainment use only. Under no circumstances, this information is to replace your doctor’s advice or to treat any disease. For proper care, always visit your doctor. Ultrasoundfeminsider is not liable for any injury caused for reading this article.