There are many tests’ that can be performed during pregnancy for your health and your baby’s health. You also have the rights to ask for a test to be done or the rights to refuse a test to be performed. L hopes this helps some to understand a little
more about certain tests.
Pregnancy test – This test can be preformed at home or you local gp, the test is a sample of your urine and test the presence of human gonadotrophin hormone (HCG). This test can also be done in a blood test.*urine sample*
Tests done on visits to your career (midwife /doctor/ doula)
Blood Pressure test – Blood pressure is taken every visit by the career during the pregnancy to be monitored. This is done to make sure your blood pressure stays the same during the pregnancy; if your blood pressure gets to high you will closely be monitored.
Baby movements (Fetal movements) - Around 20 weeks the career will ask if you can feel the baby’s movements, all baby’s movements are different and some are more active than others.
Baby heartbeat (Fetal heartbeat) – During the pregnancy a Doppler ultrasound let’s you listen to the baby’s heartbeat
Baby growth (Fundal height) – Baby growth measurement can be measure by a tape measure/by feel of the abdomen by measuring the height of the uterus
Baby’s position – The career will check the baby’s position by feeling for the baby’s head, bottom, and arms.
Recommend test
FBE / FBC – Full Blood Examination detects levels of important cells types in blood, blood haemoglobin level and Platelets level. *needle*
Blood group – This blood test is to find out what blood type A, B, AB, or O, and Rhesus (Rh) positive or negative. *needle*
Antibodies – This blood test is to screen if you have antibodies in your blood, if you are Rh is test is usually done. *needle*
Urinalysis / MSU – This test is to test your urine sample for infection.*urine sample*
Hepatitis B – This blood test is to find out if you have Hep B *needle*
Syphilis – This blood test is to find out if you carry the Syphilis bacteria.*needle*
Rubella – This blood test is to find out your immunity to the rubella virus.*needle*
HIV / AIDS – (prenatal test counseling required)This blood test is to find out if you have HIV/AIDS *needle*
Combined Screening - (11-12 weeks) This test is divide into two, the first is a blood test that is taken around 11 weeks and the second is a ultrasound taken between 11-13 weeks and its called Nuchal Test or Nuchal translucency Screen. Measurements are taken at the back of the baby’s neck of the fold *ultrasound & needle*
MSST – (12-16 weeks) This blood test is to measure the 4 chemicals in the blood and the results are combined with the women’s age risk, its to detect if down syndrome, trisomy 18 and neural tube defect *needle*
GBS – (36-38 weeks) This test is a swab of the vagina to detect for group B strep. *Swab*
Considered test
Pap test – This test is to test of any changes on the vagina walls.*swab*
Hepatitis C – (prenatal test counseling required) This blood test is to find out if you have Hep C*needle*
Vitamin D – This blood test is to find out the levels of Vitamin D *needle*
Ferritin – This blood test is to check how much iron your body has stored. *needle*
Thalassemia – This blood test is to find out if you have the genetic blood disorder. *needle*
Ultrasound – (10-13 weeks) This ultrasound is to check the progress of embryo’s development, check the number of embryos, to calculate the gestational age and the baby’s due date.*ultrasound*
Ultrasound – (18-20 weeks) This ultrasound is to check the foetal development, the size and location of the placenta and the sex of baby – if the parent would like to know. *ultrasound*
GCT / GTT – (25-30 weeks) This blood test is to detected if you have gestational diabetes.*glucose test*
3rd trimester FBE – (36-38 weeks) Full Blood Examination detects levels of important cells types in blood, blood haemoglobin level and Platelets level. *needle*
CVS – (11-12 weeks) A needle is inserted into the abdomen above the womb (utrasound used) and cells from the placenta are taken.*needle*
Amniocentesis - (15-18 weeks) A needle is inserted into the abdomen above the womb (ultrasound used) and a sample of the amniotic fluid is taken. *needle
(October 2007) (
