Important Pregnancy Screening Tests You Cannot Miss

The miracle of maternity brings joy and happiness to the parents and everyone close to them. This beautiful period also comes with some does and don't which should be followed, as the mother and baby's health depends on it. A Pregnancy Screening Tests is divided into trimesters and in all these trimesters the mother and child go through changes. These changes are monitored by doctors through consultations and pregnancy screening tests.

Important Pregnancy Screening Tests

First Trimester

The first trimester includes the first twelve weeks of the Pregnancy Screening Tests. In this trimester the mother finds that she is having a baby. The mother may experience nausea, cravings, aversions to food items, and mood swings.

Pregnancy screening tests most commonly done during the first trimester are- Blood tests: These are done to check the hormonal balance, health, and condition of the mother. The pregnancy blood tests performed are

• ABO type test
• Rh type test
• CBC
• Blood Sugar Random
• Thyroid panel
• HCV antibodies
• Glucose Challenge Test
• Urine analysis
• HIV Test I and II
• VDRL, to name a few

Ultrasound: Ultrasound is used to take images of the fetus inside the body. Also known as Sonography, ultrasound is safe for the mother and child. The fetus's heartbeat, size, shape, and other features can be seen through this scan. The pregnancy screening tests done under Ultrasound are-

• Double marker or Combined Enhanced Screening
• Nuchal Scan or Fetal Medicine Scan

Second Trimester

The second trimester begins from the thirteenth week till the twenty-sixth week of pregnancy. The mother may experience stretch marks, ligament pains, and nipple changes. The mother can feel the baby moving inside her womb in this trimester. Pregnancy screening tests done during this trimester are- Blood tests: The blood tests during the second trimester are:

• CBC
• Urine analysis
• Glucose Challenge Test
• Total TSH

Ultrasound: The fetus goes through a lot of changes in this trimester. The size and weight of the fetus increases. Features like hair, eyebrows, muscle tissue, fingernails, and toenails of the fetus are visible. The pregnancy screening tests done under ultrasound for this trimester are-

• Obstetric Level 2 stan or Anomaly Scan or
• Fetal Medicine: Anomaly Scan

Third Trimester

The Third or the last trimester begins from the twenty-seventh week till the fortieth week of pregnancy or birth of the baby. The mother can now feel the kicks are rolls of the fetus. The mother may also experience frequent urination, swollen feet, heartburn, and leaking from the breasts. The pregnancy screening tests done in the last trimester are-Blood Tests: The blood tests include:

• CBC
• Urine Analysis
• Glucose Challange Test
• Total TSH

Ultrasound: Most of the organs and body systems of the fetus is developed by this trimester and are visible on the Ultrasound. The ultrasound tests for the last trimester include-

• Obstetric Ultrasound: Pregnancy Growth Scan
• Fetal Growth Scan with Doppler or
• Pregnancy with Color Doppler

Pregnancy and Childbirth are unlike any other experience a mother ever feels. A lot of uncertainty and emotions drive this period into something wonderful. It is necessary that the mother and baby are well taken care of by the doctors, and the family members. So, regular mother and fetal screening tests become extremely vital for the fetus to cross its developmental milestones.