During your first prenatal visit your doctor will probably order a complete blood count. This analysis of your blood measures the number, type, size and shape of the hemoglobin, red and white blood cells and platelets in your blood.
The results of this test allow your doctor to determine how efficiently your blood can carry oxygen, whether you are anemicA condition in which the number of red blood cells is abnormally low and usually refers to the oxygen carrying hemoglobin. It is most likely caused by iron deficiency, especially during pregnancy and can be treated with supplements.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. and if it can be controlled with iron supplements. The test can also identify if you have an infection, allergies or the possibility of leukemia.
Your healthcare provider will collect a blood sample for testing by pricking your finger or arm with a needle. The sample is then placed in a machine called a hematology instrument that can measure thousands of red blood cellsA concave disk containing hemoglobin surrounded by a lipoid membrane. It is the major cellular element of the circulating blood and it serves primarily to transport oxygen. The number of red blood cells is about 4 and 4.5 million per cubic millimeter in women (4.5 and 5 million per cubic millimeter in men).
The average lifespan of a red blood cell is between 110 and 115 days after which it is removed from the bloodstream. New red blood cells are produced at about the rate of 1% daily to keep levels constant. Red blood cells originate in the marrow of long bones. Also called erythrocytes.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions., white blood cells and platelets, comparing them to statistically normal range values. The results of the automated test are very accurate, but if the operator decides to perform additional testing, a drop of blood will be placed on a slide, dyed with a special stain and examined under a microscope. The results and then compiled and reported to your doctor.
Blood consists of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, which are produced primarily in the bone marrow. These cells are released into the bloodstream as needed and suspended in a liquid called plasmaThe colorless, watery fluid of the blood in which the leukocytes, erythrocytes and platelets are suspended. Plasma contains no cells, instead consisting of water, electrolytes, proteins, glucose, fats, bilirubin and gases.
Plasma is important because it enables the cellular elements of the blood to flow through the circulatory system carrying nutrients and wastes from the tissues and maintaining the body's acid-base balance.
Plasma is similar to interstitial fluid in content and protein concentration. Because of this, it helps maintain osmotic pressure and the exchange of fluids and electrolytes between the capillaries and the body tissues.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions..
Red blood cells look like an M&M candy, thinner in the middle with a fat ring around the edge. Colored reddish-brown, they contain the oxygen carrying protein, hemoglobin, around the body. Variations in the number, size and shape may be the result of vitamin B12, folate and iron deficiency. If your blood does not contain enough red blood cells, you are considered anemic, and may suffer from fatigue and weakness. In rare cases the blood may contain too many red blood cells, resulting in the conditions erythrocytosis and polycythemia, which can hinder the flow of blood through the body's veins and arteries.
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White blood cells help your body fight infections and other causes of injury. There are five different types of white blood cells: basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and neutrophils. Normally the percentages of each of these white blood cells remain stable in the blood, but if the numbers change it can be an indicator of various conditions. Infections are usually recognized by a higher percentage of neutrophils, while more eosinophils may indicate allergies. Leukemia is identified by an increased incidence of one of the five cells.
Platelets help prevent blood clotting. If you don't have enough of these cell fragments, you risk excessive bleeding and bruising. Platelets can vary in size and clump, making them difficult to measure in the automated test. It may be necessary to perform a blood smear test for an accurate count.
The complete blood count is a test that will form a routine part of your first prenatal visit. The test can help your doctor determine your baseline health at the beginning of your pregnancy so that you can prepare for the second and third trimesters.
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There are few if any risks associated with this test.
The test forms part of the routine testing undertaken during the first prenatal office visit.
The complete blood count measures the volume of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood. But the results provided in the laboratory reports are much more complete. Your complete blood count results will include several numbers including:
Your doctor will determine the whether any special care will be required during your pregnancy.
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