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It is a happy moment to know that you are pregnant when you are expecting it so much, and of course it is a good thing if you realize to make sure that you and your baby is in a good condition. Well, the important thing to know is you should take a prenatal test since the early stage of your pregnancy. Let’s know better about prenatal test.

Prenatal tests are one of the many ways your health care practitioner will check on the well-being of you and your growing baby Tests that your doctor may offer you includes,

Pelvic exam, including Pap smear (unless you’ve had one recently) to check for abnormal cells and check for chlamydia and gonorrhea.

Routine blood tests to identify your blood type and Rh status, as well as a blood count to check for anemia, syphilis, hepatitis B, immunity to German measles (rubella), immunity to chicken pox (if you’re not sure whether you’ve ever had the illness or been vaccinated against it) and a blood test for HIV. If your practitioner doesn’t offer you an HIV test, be sure to ask about it. If you test positive for HIV, being treated during pregnancy can dramatically reduce your chances of passing the infection to your baby.

Urine sample test to test for urinary tract infections and other conditions.

Glucose challenge test if you’re at high risk for gestational diabetes. Women at high risk of developing this type of diabetes will be tested at 12 weeks; other women are routinely tested between 24 and 28 weeks.

Skin test, just in case you’ve been exposed to tuberculosis.

Screening tests, which can give you information about your baby’s risk of having Down syndrome and other chromosomal problems and birth defects.

Blood-pressure test to ensure that she does not have high blood pressure or pregnancy induced hypertension, which may lead to premature delivery, retarded growth or low blood flow to the baby.

Foetal heartbeat test to give a fair idea of the baby’s well being and growth in the womb.

Swab Tests at a later stage, approximately 35 weeks of pregnancy, a swab is taken from the vagina or rectum to check for the presence of streptococcus bacteria, which may cause problems to the baby.

Prenatal ultrasound test which is done at various stages of pregnancy, allows you and your doctor to see your developing baby and evaluate its growth.

Those are the most common prenatal tests for your pregnancy, and next are the other tests offered at the later stage.

Combined First Trimester Screening to detect baby’s risk for Down’s syndrome or other genetic disorders. During the first trimester, a test called nuchal translucency screening might be performed, which is an ultrasound check up of the clear space at the back of the baby’s neck. The presence of any fluid at this place may be a sign of abnormalities.

Triple Screen Test (multiple marker test) which is done in the second trimester to measure three things, the alpha fetoprotien, hCG and estriol - a hormone produced by the baby’s adrenal glands and if this level is low it can suggest that the baby is not developing properly or it may indicate a birth defect.

One thing you should note is a positive test does not necessarily mean that your baby will definitely have a birth defect.

Amniocentesis test which is beneficial for those at risk of having a baby with birth defects or where the mother is over 35 years, amniocentesis helps analyze the presence of chromosomal abnormalities, structural defects or metabolic disorders.

Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS). The mother’s placenta is made up of tiny finger like units, which are called chorionic villi. Taking a sample of these units can help detect birth defects like chromosomal abnormalities. As this test can be performed at an early stage of pregnancy (between 10 and 12 weeks), it is preferred over amniocentesis as it gives a better chance of diagnosis and treatment. The test can either be performed by removing the sample vaginally or through the abdomen with an injection and guide from ultrasound. Again, though, there is a risk of miscarriage associated with the procedure.

Non-Stress Test. This test is generally performed during high-risk pregnancies or when a pregnancy has gone beyond its due date. It is a way of measuring the baby’s response to stimuli and done by tracking its movements through an ultrasound and observing the accelerating or decelerating heart beat. This test gives the doctor an idea of whether the baby is getting enough oxygen and if her nervous system is functioning normally.

Contraction stress test to check the baby’s heart beat during contractions. An artificial hormone, called pitocin similar to oxytocin secreted during childbirth, is given to the mother to ensure that a baby’s heart rate will remain stable during contractions.

Percutaneous Umbilical Blood Sampling to obtain a sample of the umbilical blood and analyze this for any chromosomal anomaly. This test may also be used for transfusion of blood or required fluid in the baby’s system.

the pregnant woman photo by Trudy Loosman

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