All these tests!!!!!

I don't go to the doc till mid-Dec. but I see everyone talking about all these different tests, it all seems very overwhelming.

Can someone explain them to me? Will my doctor give me a list?

Re: All these tests!!!!!

My doctor still hasn't explained them all to me. Even the NT test...the ultrascreen to determine risk for DS....my doc was like..this is optional and I had to go to another location. Needless to say I had to call Denise to help me figure it all out.

This board is very helpful with that...as soon as I learn something new I question my doctor...slowly but surely she is starting to share more and more info with me.

Definitely ask your doc at the first appt what to expect as far as tests and bloodwork (what it's all for) at least in the first trimester.

Re: All these tests!!!!!

Tellme about it. I have to go in for a Integrated screen in 2 weeks. That test is to check for down syndrome or other diseases.

Re: All these tests!!!!!

I know - it's so confusing. Everytime I am at the Dr's I have to mentally repeat to myself what appts I need to setup for the next few weeks...it's insane, but I guess I would rather have more appts than less.

Re: All these tests!!!!!

My Dr gave me a list at my 8 wk visit. Definitely write down everything & ask if you are not sure.

Re: All these tests!!!!!

It just seems like alot, but it really isn't.

1st trimester
blood tests-including genetic testing like cystic fibrosis, AIDS testing, other blood diseases in your family
Ultrascreen-tests the nuchal folds on the baby's neck with blood test for chances of downs

2nd trimester
AFP test-follow up test for downs, checks proteins-simple blood te set, if abnormal, amnio may be offered.
Level II sono-checks baby's growth

3rd trimester
Glucose screening test-tests for gestational diabetes
Dr. may do another growth sono, and could do non stress tests.
Strep B test-simple swab of outside of vagina and rectum to test for strep b-can pass onto baby on cause infection at birth

All 3 trimesters you will do some simple blood work to test your levels-hemoglobin, clotting factors etc.
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I think that's all i can remember right now, anyone if there are more tests, please add.

Re: All these tests!!!!!

An overview of tests (sorry it's long -- the list explains what the tests are for and so on):

First trimester tests
Prenatal tests are one of the many ways your healthcare practitioner can check on your well-being and that of your growing baby. At your first prenatal visit, your practitioner will give you a thorough physical, including a pelvic exam. She'll do a Pap smear (unless you've had one recently) to check for abnormal cells, including cervical cancer. She may also do a culture to check for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Next, she'll order routine blood tests to identify your blood type and Rh status, and a blood count to check for anemia. She'll also have the lab test your blood for syphilis, hepatitis B, and immunity to German measles (rubella), and offer to test for HIV. (If your practitioner doesn't offer you an HIV test, be sure to ask about it. Being treated for HIV during pregnancy can dramatically reduce your chances of passing the infection to your baby.) In addition to taking blood, she'll ask for a urine sample to test for urinary tract infections and other conditions.

If you're at high risk for gestational diabetes, a glucose challenge test might be done at your first visit. In some cases, your provider will also do a skin test to see if you've been exposed to tuberculosis. And if you're not sure whether you've even had chicken pox (or been vaccinated against the virus), she'll order a blood test to check for immunity.

In addition, your caregiver may offer you genetic screening, such as a nuchal translucency screening (an ultrasound done at 10 to 12 weeks) or a first-trimester combined screening (an ultrasound and a blood test). These screening tests can give you some information about your baby's risk of having certain chromosomal problems and other birth defects. If you'll be 35 or older on your due date or are otherwise at high risk for having a baby with genetic problems, you may opt to have a CVS, a prenatal genetic diagnostic test done between 10 and 13 weeks. Finally, depending on your ethnic background and medical history, you may have a blood test to see if your baby is at risk for sickle cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, and certain other genetic disorders.


Second trimester tests
During each of your second trimester prenatal visits, your practitioner will ask for a urine sample to screen for signs of preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and other conditions.

Most practitioners routinely order an ultrasound between 16 and 20 weeks to check for physical abnormalities and to verify your baby's due date. You'll also be offered a multiple marker screening (a blood test done between 15 and 20 weeks that can give you some information about your baby's risk of having certain chromosomal problems and other birth defects). And if you're going to be 35 or older on your due date or have other risk factors for genetic problems, your practitioner will offer you an amniocentesis, a test that can diagnose chromosomal abnormalities and many other types of genetic disorders.

Between 24 and 28 weeks, you'll be given a glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes, and possibly another blood test to check for anemia. If you're Rh-negative (but your baby's father isn't, or you don't know whether he is), an extra tube of blood may be drawn to check for Rh antibodies before you're given an injection of Rh immune globulin at 28 weeks.

Third trimester tests
During your third trimester prenatal visits, your practitioner will continue to ask for a urine sample at each visit to check for signs of preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and other conditions. Also, between 35 and 37 weeks, you'll be tested for a common infection called group B strep. If your test is positive, you'll be given antibiotics during labor to help keep you from passing it on to your baby. (If you've had a group B strep urinary tract infection during this pregnancy or a previous baby infected with group B strep, you won't need testing because you'll automatically be treated during labor.)

Here are some other tests you may be in for this trimester:
• If your blood glucose level was elevated when you took your glucose challenge test, you'll have a glucose tolerance test to determine whether you have gestational diabetes.
• Your blood may be checked again for anemia, particularly if it wasn't retested late in the second trimester or if you were anemic earlier in your pregnancy.
• If you're at risk for STIs, you'll be tested again for syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV.
• If you were found to have placenta previa or a low-lying placenta during an earlier ultrasound, you'll have another ultrasound to check the location of your placenta.__If your pregnancy is high risk or your practitioner becomes concerned about certain problems, she'll order tests such as a biophysical profile or a nonstress test to make sure your baby's thriving. When and how often you go for these tests will depend on the reason for the testing. If your practitioner's concerned about your baby's growth, she'll order periodic ultrasounds to measure him and check your amniotic fluid level.__If your pregnancy is normal but you go past your due date, you'll need testing to make sure your baby's still doing well. Between 40 and 41 weeks, you may get a full biophysical profile or a modified one, which includes a nonstress test to assess your baby's heart rate and an ultrasound to check your amniotic fluid level. These tests are usually performed twice a week to help your practitioner decide whether it's safe to continue waiting for your labor to start on its own.

Re: All these tests!!!!!

WOW!!! Thanks!!!

Re: All these tests!!!!!