Most Common Pregnancy Tests And Why They Are Done

During the nine months of pregnancy, a number of tests and scans are done to ensure the proper growth of the developing foetus. These tests might make you feel like you have spent majority of your time in the doctor’s clinic, but they're important in identifying any potential threats and risks to the baby. They help in detecting any underlying disease, which can also be classified in terms of severity. A few severe conditions that can be spotted with the help of pregnancy tests are Anaemia, Diabetes, HIV, Down’s syndrome or any other physical deformity. Correct treatment can then be given to such pregnancies. Pregnancy tests generally include blood tests and urine tests

Here’s a detailed list of the most common diagnostic tests during pregnancy:
 

• Blood-Related Tests
   

Blood tests are done after taking a blood sample of the pregnant woman. A majority of these blood tests are conducted in the first trimester. However, they might be conducted again at any other time, most likely in the last trimester. Here are a few important pregnancy tests related to blood:-

Blood Sugar test: Blood sugar test is performed during pregnancy in order to keep the blood sugar levels under check. It also helps to ascertain if there is likelihood to develop diabetes in the coming months of pregnancy. If the test results are high, then an instant change of diet plan or essential medications are recommended.

RH factor test: Rhesus factor test determines the presence of either positive or negative red blood cells in the pregnant woman’s body. This test usually takes place during the first trimester. A sample of blood is tested to check the blood group and also to find out whether it’s Rh –negative or positive. Around 80% of the people have the ‘rhesus factor’ in their blood, i.e., they are rhesus positive. The trouble might occur if a rhesus negative mother, conceives with a rhesus positive partner. Necessary medications and injections are given to prevent the baby’s red blood cells from being destroyed by the mother’s rhesus negative immune system.

HIV Test: HIV test is very crucial for pregnant women. If the result is positive for HIV, then certain medications are given in order to stop the virus from spreading to the unborn baby. Additionally, the doctor might also recommend C-section as it can avoid the spreading of infection.

Complete Blood Count (CBC): CBC test is done to assess the haemoglobin level of the expecting woman. If the haemoglobin level falls below the normal level, then the doctor will suggest you some iron supplements and iron fortified food. Information about platelet count and white blood cells can also be acquired from CBC test. A raised level of WBC might signal an infection.

TSH Test: Thyroid can affect adversely during pregnancy. As the name suggests, TSH test is done to assess the presence and quantity of Thyroid Stimulating Hormone in blood. TSH is secreted by the pituitary gland, which gives orders to the thyroid gland. Proper medications are given depending on the results. If TSH levels happen to be very low, additional blood test is done to assess T3 and T4. Raised intensities of free T4 approve the presence of hyperthyroidism. However, it is an unusual condition that occurs in 1 out of 500 pregnancy cases.

Triple Marker Test: Also recognized as quad test, triple marker test is usually conducted around the 15th to 20th week of pregnancy. It is also widely known as AFP4, multiple marker or quadruple test. This test is essential in spotting any chromosomal deformities such as Down's syndrome or trisomy 18. It can also identify neural tube defects like spina bifida. Positive test results indicate a higher likelihood of your child having a birth defect. A negative or normal result indicates that your child probably doesn’t have a birth defect. However, this result isn’t sufficient to guarantee that your little one will have no defects.

Rubella Virus Test: This test helps assess the immunity of expecting women to rubella virus. Majority of the women are immune to rubella virus because they’ve either been vaccinated previously or have suffered from the disease when they were young. However, if a pregnant woman is not immune or if she is vulnerable towards it, then it’s very essential to stay away from anyone who has that infection or has visited any such country where the disease is highly widespread.

• Urine-Related Pregnancy Tests
  
   

Urine test is another crucial test conducted during pregnancy. As the name suggests, it is conducted on a sample of urine. It is usually a one-time test during pregnancy. The conduction is done in the first trimester to recognize any urine infections that can have an adverse impact on the unborn baby. In some cases, urine test might be done more than once if the symptoms of an infection are visible. It also helps in assessing if any traces of blood, sugar, or protein are found in the urine.

 

• Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy
  
   

Ultrasound scans are a very helpful diagnostic tool for identifying any birth defects such as neural tube defects. They also help in identifying fetal growth, ectopic pregnancy and threat of Downs syndrome. These scans also assist in identifying an approximate date of delivery through fetal heartbeat.

Generally, one ultrasound scan is conducted in each of the trimesters to assess the development of your foetus. However, at times you additional scans might be done in some sensitive conditions. Please note that- ultrasound scans are permissible in India as long as they do not communicate the sex of the unborn child.

First trimester scan assesses the gestational age and location of placenta. It also tests the development of foetus. If there is any bleeding, the status of pregnancy can also be confirmed through this scan. Ultrasound scan in second trimester is generally conducted around 18-20 weeks to check the growth of your unborn baby and to guarantee that all organs like brain, heart, spine, skull, kidney, lungs are forming normally. Conditions like neural tube defects, cardiac deficiencies, limb abnormality and gastrointestinal malformations are also detected through this scan. Third trimester scan is usually conducted after the 30th week to confirm the position of foetus and placenta.  

• Other Pregnancy Tests

• Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT): It is done to detect gestational diabetes during pregnancy.

• Contraction Stress Test: CST is conducted in third trimester for risky pregnancies to find out how well the baby will cope up during the labor stress. Baby’s heart rate is measured in response to contractions stimulated by oxytocin.

• Non Stress Test (NST): It is conducted weekly in third trimester, especially in the final month (in case of high-risk pregnancies). Baby’s heart rate and movements are checked.

Apart from the above mentioned pregnancy tests, it is essential to get done regular check-ups to ensure proper health of the expecting mom and the baby.

*This article was originally posted on Indian Mom's Community.