Prenatal testing forms an important part of your medical care during pregnancy. These tests can monitor the health of you and your baby, and identify the possibility of unforeseen problems. Screening tests and genetic testing can identify the risks of fetal problems early in the pregnancy.
There are three main reasons for performing tests during pregnancy. Routine screening tests are used to identify whether there are any infections or problems in the mother that may affect the pregnancy. These tests are usually performed during trimester one and often involve taking a blood test, which is then analyzed for the presence of antibodies to a virus or infection. Some tests such as the home pregnancy test measure hormone levels in the blood or urine, while Doppler scanning and ultrasound use sound waves to create a picture of the baby inside the body.
Fetal anomaly scanning tests are performed if there is concern that the baby may not be developing as expected. A fetal anomaly scanning test may be performed if you are a carrier of a hereditary disease, or if another test has indicated that there may be a problem. These tests are typically performed during trimester two.
Tests to measure fetal wellbeing are often reserved for trimester three. They are performed during the last weeks of pregnancy to ensure the fetus is healthy and not showing signs of distress. If one of these tests indicates that the fetus is in distress the baby is often induced.
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