Congratulations, you're pregnant! You may have already experienced some of the joys of pregnancy like morning sickness, a growing belly, and random strangers rubbing your stomach. One aspect that is often overlooked is the importance of blood work during pregnancy. It's time to unlock this mysterious world and dive into why checking your blood while pregnant is so crucial.
What Do We Test For?
When it comes to prenatal blood work, there are quite a few things to check for. Let's break them down in detail:
CBC With Differential
A complete blood count (CBC) with differential checks for red and white blood cells as well as platelets in your bloodstream. This can detect if you have anemia or abnormal levels indicating other potential health concerns.
Glucose Screening
Testing glucose levels helps identify gestational diabetes early on so it can be managed effectively throughout pregnancy.
Infectious Diseases Screenings
This series of tests checks for STDs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV/AIDS among others known to impact both mother and baby alike during pregnancy.
Newborn Risk Assessment Panel
The risk assessment panel includes testing for conditions that could affect your baby after they’re born. Conditions like PKU (phenylketonuria), cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease might be identified through these screenings / assesments.
When Should You Get Tested?
Now that we’ve reviewed what we test for let’s discuss when should mothers get tested:
- The First Appointment: The first round occurs around eight weeks after a woman’s last menstrual cycle.
- Second Trimester: Often done between 24 - 28 weeks gestation Specifically looking outlivers/kidneys/fertility hormones/ diabetes etc.
- Third Trimester: Occurs sometime between about week 36[cancel 'or'] [and] week 37 of pregnancy.
It is important to note that these timeframes are averages and may be adjusted according to a range of specific circumstances.
How Is Blood Work Performed?
The blood collection process isn't nearly as complicated as you might think. It includes:
- A healthcare professional presenting the patient with written documentation outlining all tests suggested for their personal condition in addition to any alternatives.
- Then, they would clean your skin area first used alcohol , followed by putting pressure on the vein site where they will input a needle that will collect your sample;
- The collected sample is then stored for testing within an approved lab.
What Are Healthcare Professionals Looking For During Pregnancy?
You have probably gotten a general feel about what we look for when checking blood during pregnancy, but there’s more to it than just numbers! Your doctor or midwife uses these results along with other tools such as ultrasounds and physical exams which help determine overall fetal health.
HCG Levels
HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) aka ‘the early bird’is one hormone monitored throughout gestation High levels indicate pregnancies at risk/sometimes show multiple babies in waiting/on occasion be cancerous especially if this rises after birth/delivery
Progesterone Levels
Progesterone helps regulate sex hormones while pregnant often indicating success rates/low progesterone-levels could result in risky behaviors(such s premature contractions ) later down the line, therefore treatment maybe necessary/provided based on consultation between both mother & medical professionals.
Iron Status
Low iron status or otherwise known as Anemia; aka vampire problemduring pregnacy can also cause preterm delivery, low birth weight etc., so keeping tabs on hemoglobin/hematocrit(are they normal?) levels/adjustments via dietary changes or supplements depending
Rhesus Factor Check
A Rh factor screen - checks for the also known as D-antigen which if present, may cause baby to turn out with haemolytic disease/newborn jaundice. This could be prevented through such measures like Anti-D
Never Fear Blood Work During Pregnancy Again!
As you can see, there are many factors healthcare professionals who will work discreetly to ensure safety of patient in addition to monitor overall fetal wellbeing during pregnancy. In relation to blood samples were happy.to debunk/prevent further spread of urban myths and misconceptions concerning prenatal care while providing clarity on what must be done / how they’re conducted so it’s easier for expecting mothers seeking information .