Tests for Monitoring Your Babies Well-Being

When you're pregnant, you'll have a lot on your mind -- and some of your thoughts can be worrisome; you may ask yourself, "what if my baby won't be born healthy?"

Worrying about the health of your child is normal. And one of the best things you can do is to identify any abnormalities in your baby early on so that a doctor can treat it and you can prepare for it.

To help demystify prenatal testing, we've compiled a guide with some of the most critical points you should take note of. Read on below to learn more.

What Are Prenatal Tests?

Prenatal tests are tests you undergo while pregnant. They’ll allow your healthcare provider to check on how you and your baby are doing.

Usually, you'd undergo prenatal testing at different times throughout your pregnancy. These tests check whether your baby may have any health problems, such as:

• Birth defects
• Genetic and chromosomal conditions

What Are the Most Common Prenatal Tests?

First Trimester Screening

Your first-trimester screening is composed of tests taken between weeks 11 and 13 of your pregnancy. The following tests look for birth defects relating to your child's heart or chromosomal disorders:

• Maternal Blood Screen. This screening test is a blood test that measures the levels of two proteins. If your protein levels are too high or low, your baby might have a chromosomal disorder.

• An ultrasound allows your healthcare provider to take “pictures” of your baby. During the first trimester, the ultrasound looks for excess fluid behind your baby’s neck. If your healthcare provider finds excess fluid through the ultrasound, your baby may have a chromosomal disorder or a heart problem.

Second Trimester Screening

You'll take these second-trimester tests between weeks 15 and 20 of your pregnancy and focus on looking for certain birth defects or anomalies:

• Maternal Serum Screen. Your healthcare provider will use this blood test to figure out whether you are at risk of having a baby with certain birth defects like neural tube defects or chromosomal disorders.

• Fetal Echocardiogram. This prenatal test uses sound waves to check your baby's heart before birth for any heart defects. It can supply a more detailed picture of your baby's heart than a standard ultrasound can.
• Anomaly Ultrasound. Around 18 to 20 weeks into your pregnancy, you'll undergo an ultrasound that will check your baby's size and look for birth defects and other issues with your child.

Final Thoughts

Undergoing special tests to check your child's well-being during pregnancy is essential. It allows you to catch any problems early on to make sure they can be adequately treated.

In the Tri-cities (Kennewick, Pasco, Richland), Complete Healthcare for Women can help you with all the tests you need to undergo throughout your pregnancy, aside from providing other OB-GYN services. Contact Richard Lorenzo, DO and female provider Kortney Jones, ARNP today to schedule an appointment.

References

CDC. (2019, November 27). Diagnosis of Birth Defects | CDC. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/birthdefects/diagnosis.html

March of Dimes. (2020, September). Prenatal tests. March of Dimes Foundation. https://www.marchofdimes.org/pregnancy/prenatal-tests.aspx

Stickler, T. (2020, February 12). Prenatal Screening Tests. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/pregnancy/prenatal-testing

Complete Healthcare for Women - Obstetrics and Gynecology

(509) 392-6700

Richard Lorenzo, D.O.

Kortney Jones ARNP

Author

Richard Lorenzo, DO Dr. Lorenzo is also a Fellow of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and a Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Obstetricians and Gynecologists. He provides gynecological and obstetric services, including prenatal care, pregnancy care, infertility, and gynecology. Dr. Lorenzo is proficient in advanced surgical techniques, including minimally-invasive procedures, as well as surgery for abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and hysterectomy. He has specialized training in high-risk obstetrics and minimally invasive surgical techniques, including minimally invasive hysterectomy.