COMMON PRENATAL TESTS CARRIED OUT DURING PREGNANCY

Prenatal tests are one of the vital examinations carried out among women during the pregnancy stage. These tests are mainly used to evaluate the conditions of their pregnancy as well as the health of the fetus. You can avail the prenatal tests offered at our affordable health clinic to have a clear understanding of your overall health condition during pregnancy. Moreover, this test will help our health professionals to assess your health and suggest the appropriate treatments and countermeasures in order to achieve a normal and safe pregnancy.

Importance of Prenatal Tests

Prenatal tests are of extreme importance if you are pregnant. It is carried at our low income clinics at repeated intervals during pregnancy to ascertain each of the stages carefully. This will help identify any of the health problems that can affect your health as well as the health of the fetus.

Prenatal tests can help the healthcare professionals to evaluate the health conditions of the baby for any birth defects, as well as analyze the genetic and chromosomal condition of the fetus. This would in turn help in undertaking the necessary treatments for any serious conditions before it becomes irreversible, and make sure that the fetus achieves a normal growth.

Screening and Diagnostic Tests

Prenatal tests are basically divided into two – screening and diagnostic tests. Screening tests are undertaken to check whether your baby is prone to any health conditions. This test helps in assessing any potential risks to your health condition and that of the fetus.

Diagnostic tests, on the other hand, are more accurate and can precisely identify whether your baby has any health conditions. It is carried out after a screening test that shows a high degree of any health condition risks to confirm whether it is actually so. Carrying out a diagnostic test after a screening test will help you and the healthcare provider in understanding more about the development of the baby.

Types of Prenatal Tests

Ultrasound – This testing method uses ultrasound waves to make an image of the fetus in the uterus. This test is carried out to identify the size and position of the baby as well as find out any abnormalities in its growth. Besides, an ultrasound test can also help to identify the stage of pregnancy.

Chronic Villus Sampling – This invasive diagnostic test checks the tissue from the placenta to identify any genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. It is mostly carried out during the 10 to 13 weeks of your pregnancy. However, this test might have some side effects.

Amniocentesis – It is a diagnostic test of the amniotic fluid from the uterus, which is carried out to check for any birth defect or genetic condition of the baby. It is mainly done during 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy and during the last stages to check the infant’s lungs.

Urine Test – Another basic test carried out is an examination of the urine. Checking the urine will help to identify whether you have any infections in the bladder or kidneys. Besides, it can also be used to find out whether you have preeclampsia or not.

Blood Test – Blood tests are regularly carried out to check whether you maintain healthy blood constituents and identify any infections like hepatitis B, HIV, or Syphilis. It will also be used to check for anemia, Rh factor, and blood type.