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Importance of Prenatal TestsAs soon as the pregnant woman receives a positive result, she should see her doctor to schedule all the necessary tests—these are called prenatal tests. They investigate and ensure the health of both mother and fetus for the present and the future, and can identify and prevent some problems in advance. That is why it is so important to follow the prenatal test schedule strictly.
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All pregnancy tests are requested by the responsible obstetrician, and among the essential ones are blood tests, including the glucose tolerance test, ultrasound, and urine tests. Others may be requested as needed.
Starting in the first trimester of pregnancy, the majority of essential tests are already required. Through these tests, the woman's health is evaluated to ensure she can develop a healthy fetus and carry the pregnancy without complications. A complete blood count will be requested along with a urine test to check for possible infection, as well as the first ultrasound to determine gestational age.
The complete blood count checks for changes in blood cells, possible infections, and presence of anemia. The VDRL blood test checks for syphilis, which, if untreated, can cause serious harm to the baby such as deafness and blindness. The HIV test is also requested among the first tests, and if positive, will require special monitoring and treatment.
Tests for analysis and diagnosis of rubella, toxoplasmosis, hepatitis B and C, and the CMV test should also be performed to ensure prompt treatment, if necessary. These are performed during the first trimester but may be repeated in the following months if the doctor deems it necessary.
During all prenatal visits it is common for the obstetrician to check the mother's blood pressure, measure abdominal size, and monitor weight gain. All information should be recorded on the pregnancy card. In the first visit, it is recommended to start taking a vitamin supplement containing ferrous sulfate and folic acid, as these are extremely important for the best fetal development. Prenatal consultations should normally be held once a month until 32 weeks of pregnancy. After that, appointments should be weekly for closer monitoring until delivery.
The ultrasounds, the exams most eagerly awaited by parents, should be done at least once each trimester and are used to assess the health of the fetus. The ultrasound exam can assess the amount of amniotic fluid, the exact measurements of the embryo and gestational sac, and provide an estimated weight. When performed between 11 and 14 weeks, the ultrasound (also called nuchal translucency screening) checks the skin at the back of the fetus's neck for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. It can also diagnose possible physical deficiencies and missing limbs. Besides following fetal development, the ultrasound can show the baby's sex, with reliable visualization from 16 weeks of pregnancy onwards.
To solve the great mystery of the baby's sex, especially for those who cannot wait to visualize it at the right week, there is the fetal sexing test. This test is done through a blood sample that detects the Y chromosome, which, if present, means you are expecting a boy; if not found, it means a girl. It’s not a low-cost test, but it can be worth it for the certainty.
Pap smears should be performed regularly to check intimate health and rule out the presence of cervical cancer. Therefore, if you haven't had an exam recently, your obstetrician may request one in the first trimester.
In the case of a high-risk pregnancy, routine tests may be repeated. Other tests such as chorionic villus sampling (where a placental fragment is removed for analysis) and amniocentesis (removal of amniotic fluid to detect possible anomalies) may be requested. In addition to more rigorous monitoring in these cases, more than one consultation per month may be necessary.
Photo: Natsumi Umino
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