CBC - A complete blood count is done to determine the
ability to carry oxygen and nutrients through the body and to the fetus.
A hematocrit is repeated
when the glucose challenge test is performed. If you are anemic your
doctor may recommend additional iron.
Rubella Titer - This test determines your immunity status
to Rubella (the German Measles). If the test shows non-immunity, the
imunization
will be offered at the time of delivery.
Hepatitis B - This test determines whether you have Hepatitis B, or are
a carrier. If you are a carrier, your baby will need to be vaccinated
at birth.
Blood Type and Rh, Antibody Screen - If you are Rh negative and the father
of the baby is Rh positive, there is the possibility the baby could inherit
the father's blood type which could cause a problem during this or future
pregnancies. Fortunately, we can prevent this in most cases by giving
you an injection of Rhogam - this prevents your immune system from responding
to the baby's Rh-positive blood cells. If you are Rh positive, there
is nothing to worry about.
Syphilis - This test determines whether you have Syphilis.
If you do your doctor will start treatment.
Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Cultures - These sexually transmitted
diseases can cause complications in the newborn. Both infections are
easily treated
during pregnancy.
Pap Smear - This test detects cancerous and pre-cancerous
changes in the cervix (the opening to the uterus).
Urine tests - This test will give information about levels of sugar and protein and infection.
An HIV (AIDS) test will be recommended. It is your choice if you would like to have this test performed. If you have HIV, there is a 25% risk of transmitting the virus to the baby. With medications and pregnancy management, we can decrease the likelihood of transmitting the virus to the baby to less than 1%. We can perform this test any time during the pregnancy if you decide not to have it at your first visit.
Cystic
fibrosis (CF) is a life-long illness. The disorder causes problems with
digestion and breathing. CF does not affect intelligence or appearance.
CF is a recessive genetic condition. Every person has two copies of the
CF gene. Both genes of the pair have to be altered for a person to have
the disease. If only one of the copies is altered then the person is
a carrier of CF.
A person who is a carrier does not have CF. There are no known health problems
associated with being a carrier. The chance of being a CF carrier depends on
Ethnicity/Race. We now have a test for some of the CF gene mutations.
| Race/Ethnicity | Chance of Being a CF Carrier | Chance Both Partners Are CF Carriers | Detection rate |
| European Caucasian, Ashkenazi Jewish | 1 in 29 | 1 in 841 | 90% |
| Hispanic American | 1 in 46 | 1 in 2,116 | 57% |
| African American | 1 in 65 | 1 in 4,225 | 70% |
| Asian American | 1 in 90 | 1 in 8,100 | 30% |
Cystic fibrosis cannot be treated before birth. The purpose of having this information about your developing baby is so you can prepare yourself to care for a child with special health care needs or so you can terminate the pregnancy. All babies in Massachusetts are tested for CF at birth.
Possible reasons to be tested:
If CF seems like a very serious disorder to you
If the chance of being a CF carrier seems high to you; this may be especially
likely if a member of your family or your partner's family has CF or is a known
carrier
If you and the baby's father would consider amniocentesis or CVS—to help
you decide about continuing the pregnancy or to help you prepare for the birth
of a baby with CF—if you were both found to be carriers
Because test results are usually reassuring
Because the cost of testing is covered by your insurance company
Possible reasons not to be tested:
If CF does not seem like a very serious disorder to you.
If the chance of being a CF carrier seems low to you; this may be especially
likely if you are Asian American or African American.
If you and the baby's father would never consider having amniocentesis or CVS—to
help you decide about terminating the pregnancy or preparing for the birth
of a baby with CF—even if you were both found to be carriers.
Because the test is not perfect and will not identify all carriers.
Because the cost of testing is not covered by your insurance company.
This blood test combines the results of two laboratory values, pappA, and Beta Human Choriogonadotropin (BHCG) an ultrasound measurement of the nuchal thickness, and your age to predict the risk of Downs Syndrome (Trisomy 21), and Trisomy 18. Results are reported as a ratio, such as 1:200 or 1:5,000. This test can only detect about 86% of fetuses with Downs Syndrome. There is a 5% false positive rate (meaning 5% of people who take this test will get a result that says their risk of having a baby with Downs syndrome is increased when in fact the fetus is normal). This test is done between 11 and 13 weeks. It is your choice if you would like to have this test. If this test reports an increased risk (1:270 or higher) of having a baby with Downs Syndrome you will be offered an amniocentesis or a CVS.
This blood test combines the results of four laboratory values, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), estriol, and Beta Human Choriogonadotropin (BHCG) and Inhibin A, and your age to predict the risk of a fetus with a neural tube defect (such as Spina Bifida), the risk of Downs Syndrome (Trisomy 21), and Trisomy 18. Results are reported as a ratio, such as 1:200 or 1:5,000. This test can only detect about 82% of fetuses with Downs Syndrome. There is a 5% false positive rate (meaning 5% of people who take this test will get a result that says their risk of having a baby with Downs syndrome is increased when in fact the fetus is normal). This test is done between 15 and 20 weeks and is offered to all pregnant women. It is your choice if you would like to have this test. If this test reports an increased risk (1:270 or higher) of having a baby with Downs Syndrome you will be offered an amniocentesis.
This test diagnoses chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus. It is performed during the 11-12th week of pregnancy. A needle is inserted either through the abdomen or the vagina into the uterus to sample the placenta. The results of CVS can be obtained earlier in pregnancy and more quickly than with amniocentesis. Most women get their results within 10 days. This test has a 1% risk of miscarriage.