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Whether you are feeling ill or not, you are going to experience lots of tests in the next nine months to monitor the health of both you and your growing baby.
Urine Tests
Common reasons for urine tests are to:
- Confirm that you are pregnant.
- Test for infection (to ensure treatment if needed).
- Test for sugar (if found could be a sign of diabetes and would lead to more tests).
- Test for protein (if found can be a sign of high blood pressure or kidney problems).
Blood Tests
Common reasons for blood tests are to:
- Confirm pregnancy.
- Check for iron (if low, you may be given recommendations to change your diet or be given an iron supplement).
- Check for infectious diseases (early diagnosis and treatment are important for the health of you and your baby).
- Check for immunity to certain diseases.
- Check the RH factor of your blood type (if there is an incompatibility with your baby, you may need to have an injection of Rh immunoglobulin during pregnancy and again after the baby is born).
Genetic Testing
If you are concerned about diseases in your family such as cystic fibrosis, you can ask for genetic tests. This will involve a referral to a genetic counselor.
Pap Smear
A pap smear is a test done by inserting a speculum into the vagina and swabbing to take a few cells from in and around the cervix. This is a test that is done regularly on sexually active women. The swab is sent away to be tested for abnormal cells on the cervix as well as the presence of sexually transmitted diseases. Either one of these situations would require treatment. Sometime women have a little bit of spotting after this test but it has no effect on the baby.
Ultrasound
The ultrasound is done by putting a gel on your belly and then running a sensor over the area. The sound waves scan the unborn baby in your uterus and you can see the baby on a screen. This is very exciting for a couple to see their baby for the first time. The ultrasound is used to check the age of the baby, monitor the heart rate, and check for any abnormalities of the head or spine. Ultrasound is also used to check for twins and the position of the placenta.
Group B Strep Testing
The test for Group B Strep is done between the 35 and 37th week of pregnancy. This test is simple. The physician or nurse practitioner swabs the vagina and rectum to check for bacteria. If the woman tests positive for Strep B, she will be given antibiotics during labour to protect the baby from infection. The baby will also be monitored after birth and treated if necessary.
Gestational Diabetes Test — weeks 24 to 28
Many pregnant women are being screened for gestational diabetes between weeks 24 and 28 of pregnancy. If your health care provider determines that you are high-risk for gestational diabetes, they may request the test as early as 13 weeks. For the test, you will be asked to drink a special high-sugar drink, and one hour later, some blood will be drawn and tested. If the screen is borderline positive for gestational diabetes, you will be asked to do an oral glucose tolerance test to confirm the condition. The glucose tolerance test includes having a blood sample taken after you have had nothing to eat for 4 - 8 hours. You will then be given a sugar drink and your blood sugar will be checked again two hours later. If you test positive for gestational diabetes, you will need to have more appointments to help manage the disease during your pregnancy.
Amniocentesis — after week 16
An amniocentesis tests for abnormal chromosomes. Woman who have had an abnormal result on a screening test, may be offered an amniocentesis. Amniocentesis is also offered to women over 35 because of their increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. During amniocentesis, a hollow needle is inserted through the abdomen into the uterus. Some amniotic fluid is drawn out and sent for testing. Women who choose to undergo amniocentesis should note that there is an increased risk of miscarriage with this test. Families may also have genetic counselling when they go for amniocentesis.
For More Information on Your Pregnancy
Contact the Health Unit to speak with a public health nurse. In Clinton and area call 519.482.3416 or toll free 1.877.837.6143. Residents in northern communities in the County can contact a public health nurse in Wingham at 519.357.4993.
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