Prenatal Care
Prenatal
1st Trimester
Routine screening for prenatal care in the first trimester includes: a complete blood count, blood and RH type, antibody screen, rubella immunity, screening for Hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis and Chlamydia/ gonorrhea (These are state required screening tests), urine culture, and pap smear (if appropriate according to screening guidelines).
2nd Trimester
At the end of the second trimester (between weeks 26-28 of pregnancy), patients will be screened for gestational diabetes with a glucose tolerance test. No preparation is required for this test, although we recommend avoiding meals/snacks high in sugar prior to your visit. You will drink a sweet liquid drink given to you at the beginning of your visit and you will have your blood drawn one hour later.
3rd Trimester
Third trimester screening includes a culture to assess for group B streptococcus (GBS). GBS is typically found in the vagina and/or rectum in 25% of all healthy women. If present near term, mothers will receive antibiotics during delivery to help prevent infection in the newborn.
Schedule Your Prenatal Care Visits
Optional Screening Tests
Cystic Fibrosis Screening
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a potentially life-threatening, genetic disease that effects the normal function of the lungs and the digestive tract. This is a genetic disease that is transmitted to the child when both parents have a copy of the defective CF gene. People with only one copy of the abnormal gene do not have the condition, but are called carriers. A mother can be tested to see if she is a carrier. If she is found to be a carrier, then her partner can be tested to see if they risk passing this condition on to their child.
The Quad Screen
This test is to be done between 15-20 weeks of gestation. It is a blood test that measures the levels of AFP, hCG, estriol and Inhibin-A. Abnormal results suggest that a baby may be at risk for neural tube defects (such as spina bifida or anencephaly) or for developing trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) or trisomy 18. This is not a diagnostic test, meaning that it does not give a yes or no answer. The results determine a relative risk of the abnormality occurring. For those individuals who’s results show a higher than average risk for the abnormality, a detailed explanation of the results will be given. Then a discussion of what further testing is possible to diagnose the presence or absence of the abnormality will occur.
Cell free fetal DNA
This test is a blood test that can assess small quantities of fetal DNA in maternal blood samples. It is not diagnostic but a very sensitive screening tool to assess for risk of trisomy 13, 18 and 21. If abnormal results occur then further testing and monitoring will be recommended. This test is performed after the 10th week of pregnancy. It is utilized when genetic counseling has determined that a woman is at increased risk of having a baby with a chromosome disorder.
*Depending on your age and health history, there may be additional screenings or monitoring that will be recommended.