Antenatal testing is a vital tool for monitoring the health of both mother and child during pregnancy. By identifying potential health concerns early on, antenatal testing can help ensure that any necessary treatment is started as soon as possible.
Antenatal Visit: What Is It and Why You Should Do It
You will receive antenatal care from medical specialists throughout your pregnancy. It’s also referred to as maternity or pregnancy care.
A midwife or your OB-GYN will be assigned to take care of you and your baby. So when you find out you’re pregnant, you should start antenatal care right away.
Your midwife or doctor will:
- Examine your health and that of your child.
- Give you vital information, such as dietary and activity suggestions, to help you have a healthy pregnancy
- Talk about your options for prenatal, labour, and delivery care.
When to start antenatal care
Make an appointment with your doctor or your midwife as soon as you find out you’re pregnant.
If you’re having your first child, you’ll have up to ten prenatal consultations. If you’ve previously had a child, you’ll have about seven appointments, though you may have more if you have a medical problem.
Early in your pregnancy, your midwife or doctor will provide you with written information on how many appointments you’ll have and when they’ll happen. Sickle cell and thalassaemia screening, for example, should be done before 10 weeks of pregnancy.
A midwife or doctor might want to know about:
- The beginning of your most recent period
- Your overall health
- Have you ever experienced any illnesses or surgeries?
- Miscarriages and pregnancies in the past
- To check if your kid is at risk for specific genetic illnesses according to your and your partner’s ethnic backgrounds
- Whether or not your family has a history of twins
- Establish if your employment, your partner’s occupation, and the type of housing you live in may have an impact on your pregnancy.
- What you’re feeling and whether you’ve ever been depressed
Don’t forget to inform your midwife or doctor at your antenatal visit if you’re in a vulnerable circumstance or require more support.
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What is antenatal testing at 32 weeks?
You’ll have an appointment at 31 weeks if this is your first child. Your midwife or doctor should:
- Analyse, discuss, and record any screening test results from the prior appointment
- Determine the size of your uterus.
- Take your blood pressure and examine your urine for protein.
Your midwife or doctor should also inform you about labour and delivery preparation at 34 weeks. This includes how to recognize active labour, how to deal with discomfort during labour, and your birth plan.
Your midwife or doctor should:
- Analyse, discuss, and record any screening test results from the prior appointment
- Determine the size of your uterus.
- Take your blood pressure and examine your urine for protein.
- Offer your second anti-D treatment if you’re rhesus negative.
Last but not least, a cesarean section should be explained to you by your midwife or doctor. This discussion could take place at your 34-week appointment or later in your pregnancy.
They’ll talk to you about why you need a cesarean section, what it entails, the risks and benefits, and the implications for future pregnancies and births.
What is Antenatal Testing?
The practice of identifying people who are at high risk of getting an illness during pregnancy is known as antenatal testing.
The presence or absence of a disease is determined by prenatal diagnostics. Screening is used to identify a high-risk group in order to deliver prenatal diagnostics.
Because most illnesses can only be identified by invasive surgery, which carries a slight chance of miscarriage, the selection is required.
The two most prevalent procedures are amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). Screening isn’t meant to replace diagnosis; rather, it’s meant to provide information that can help you make better decisions.
Why Do I Need Antenatal Testing?
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Antenatal tests are an important tool for monitoring your and your baby’s health during pregnancy. Antenatal testing can help with the following:
- Medical disorders that are detected early can be treated early.
- To determine what to do next, find out whether your child has any hereditary concerns.
- Check to see if your child is developing normally.
It’s critical to take an antenatal visit. Talk to your doctor or midwife if you’re not sure when you need a test or why it’s recommended for you.
Antenatal Testing Other Pregnancy Costs
Antenatal testing costs differently depending on the hospital you are in.
During the first trimester, your doctor may offer pregnancy vitamins or supplements to keep you and your baby healthy. The second trimester, on the other hand, involves more medical appointments. Prenatal care is essential to ensure that your baby gets all of the nutrients he or she needs to develop properly.
Depending on your condition, it comprises once or twice monthly doctor visits. If you have a normal pregnancy, your supplements and OB-Gyn visits may be the same as in the first trimester (no health concerns or issues). Your doctor may also recommend a pap smear, amniocentesis, ultrasound, and blood test.
Ask your healthcare provider to be upfront with you about the costs of antenatal visits and confirm with your insurance company which screenings and tests will be covered.
ALSO READ:
What Mums-to-be Should Expect At Their First Prenatal Visit
Understanding Prenatal Testing: The Tests You Need to Have Per Trimester
How To Find The Best Gynaecologist And What You Should Ask Them
Antenatal Profile Test
A prenatal profile test is used to rule out any fetal malformations or genetic illnesses. Antenatal profile testing come in a variety of forms, including blood tests, urine tests, and a variety of other scans.
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Antenatal Blood Tests: Blood Glucose Test
Photo by Karolina Grabowska
Gestational diabetes affects certain pregnant women and usually goes away once the baby is born, however, it can reappear later. A woman with gestational diabetes must take the appropriate medications and maintain a healthy lifestyle; otherwise, the baby may suffer respiratory issues as she grows older.
A urine test is an important prenatal profile test because it detects any form of urinary tract or bladder infection. These infections can complicate pregnancy and delivery.
Pregnant women are particularly sensitive to these diseases, and the only way to avoid them is to get tested and then take the necessary precautions.
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Antenatal Blood Tests: HIV Test
An HIV and AIDS test is suggested for pregnant women because if adequate precautions are not taken, an HIV-positive mother can transfer the disease to her child. Furthermore, the test is required for the protection of both the mother and the child.
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Antenatal Blood Tests: Hepatitis B and C Test
Because they are transmitted through blood contact, these two prenatal profile tests are significant. As a result, they may be transferred from mother to child during pregnancy or birth.
Hepatitis B vaccines are readily available, but Hepatitis C vaccines are not. Hepatitis C patients are typically prescribed antiviral medication, which they must take for 12-13 weeks or longer.
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Antenatal Blood Tests: Haemoglobin Test
Because they are transmitted through blood contact, these two prenatal profile tests are significant. As a result, they may be transferred from mother to child during pregnancy or birth.
Hepatitis B vaccines are readily available, but Hepatitis C vaccines are not. Hepatitis C patients are typically prescribed antiviral medication, which they must take for 12-13 weeks or longer.
Rubella, often known as German measles, is a rash. The majority of people are immune to rubella after being immunised as children. Rubella infection in the mother can have serious repercussions for the fetus.
As a result, this prenatal profile test is carried out so that a pregnant lady who has not yet received the vaccine can be treated with prophylactic injections.
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Chorionic villus sampling
This is an invasive treatment that involves removing a small sample of the placenta in order to check for genetic abnormalities in the fetus’ cells. The test is done between ten and twelve weeks of pregnancy. This will aid in the prevention of any abnormalities in the child.
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Antenatal ultrasound scan
An ultrasound is conducted at each stage of pregnancy to check the growing baby’s growth, heartbeats, anatomy, and movements. The procedure is painless and non-invasive. The doctor uses ultrasonography, often known as USG, to determine the due date.
The bacteria GBS can be found in the vaginal and rectum areas. It is extremely dangerous for the mother if the newborn child comes into touch with GBS. It’s deadly because it can cause meningitis and pneumonia. As a result, the GBS culture should be added to the prenatal profile test panel.
Overall, there are a number of tests available that can help identify potential health problems for you and your unborn child. It is important to educate yourself and anticipate what you need to do, should any problems be detected. Remember, early detection means more time for treatment and planning of various courses of action.
Who Will Do the Antenatal Testing
- Your doctor or midwife will refer you to any antenatal tests that are suggested for you.
- Ultrasound scans are usually performed by a sonographer. Doctors, midwives, and other health care providers can also perform them.
- A medical technologist usually performs blood tests.
- In a clinic or hospital, a specialist doctor performs procedures like chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis.
Antenatal care is vital for a healthy pregnancy. Be sure to see your doctor or midwife as soon as you find out you’re pregnant and attend all recommended appointments. Antenatal testing can help detect medical disorders early and ensure that your child is developing normally.
This article was written by Margaux Dolores and republished with permission from theAsianparent Philippines.
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