What tests are taken during pregnancy?

The expectant mother will learn about the tests to be taken during pregnancy at the antenatal clinic when she registers. The tests will have to be taken more than once throughout the entire pregnancy, since the list of tests is different at each stage of pregnancy.

To understand all the tests and their order, a calendar of basic tests is made. Due to the large number of tests to take, many expectant mothers are in no hurry to register at the antenatal clinic, which is very reckless and dangerous. A dismissive attitude can not only harm women's health, but also cause disturbances in the formation of the fetus.

Upon registration with a doctor at a women's clinic, it is necessary to take basic tests:

• general blood test, blood sugar test, platelet percentage test;
• general urine analysis, urine analysis for the presence of protein;
• urine analysis for bacteria;
• blood test to determine blood type and Rh factor;
• blood tests to determine HIV, syphilis, hepatitis;
• blood tests to detect antibodies and infectious diseases;
• vaginal mucosa smear for cytology.

The listed tests are taken in the period from 5-11 weeks of pregnancy, but many of the listed tests will be taken repeatedly during pregnancy monitoring, especially important periods for this are 19-21 weeks, 29-30 weeks. To determine genetic abnormalities of the fetus, genetic analysis is carried out at 11-13 and 16-20 weeks of fetal development.

There are practically no women with perfect, strong health these days. If the expectant mother has chronic pathologies, complications from organs and systems during pregnancy, then she will have to take tests more often. To prevent complications during pregnancy, you need to register as soon as possible after confirming your pregnancy, but no later than the third month after successful conception.

Mandatory tests during pregnancy

Mandatory tests during pregnancy are carried out both at the moment of the expectant mother's registration and later at certain stages of pregnancy. This is necessary as a method of monitoring the health of the mother and the future child.

Mandatory tests that a woman must take when registering a pregnancy:

1. Measure the size of your pelvic bones. This will give you an idea of the size of your pelvis and will help you avoid complications during pregnancy and childbirth if the bones form a pelvic cavity that is too narrow or flat.
2. Measure weight. This is a necessary measure to predict possible complications (gestosis, low or excessive fetal weight), and to assess the condition of the pregnant woman as a whole. Weighing is performed at each visit to the doctor at the antenatal clinic.
3. Measure blood pressure. This will help prevent the risk of developing gestosis, hypertensive crisis, VSD. Conducted at each visit to the antenatal clinic.
4. Collection of material for a general blood test. Later it is taken at 25, 32, 38 weeks. Allows to control internal processes in the body, prevent the development of anemia, and identify hidden inflammation.
5. Collection of material to determine blood type and Rh factor.
6. Taking a sample to determine blood sugar levels.
7. Collection of material to determine blood clotting (coagulogram).
8. Blood sampling for syphilis testing.
9. Blood sampling for HIV testing.
10. Blood sampling for analysis of the presence of HBs antigen.
11. Conducting a general urine analysis.
12. Taking material from the vaginal mucosa for cytology.
13. Taking material from the urethral canal and anus if there is a risk of STIs.
14. Conducting a bacteriological culture of a vaginal smear for STIs.
15. Nasal swab culture for the presence of Staphylococcus aureus.
16. Taking stool samples to determine the presence of helminth eggs. This is done once, upon registration at the antenatal clinic.
17. Conducting an ultrasound. Conducted to confirm an intrauterine pregnancy, to clarify the place of attachment of the placenta, to determine its maturity, to diagnose visible genetic deviations, fetal anomalies, to monitor the growth and development of the fetus and other biophysical characteristics. Diagnostics are carried out using an ultrasound device at 10-14, 20-24, 32-36 weeks.

Mandatory tests during pregnancy should be carried out absolutely free of charge in state medical institutions. If for one reason or another there is no trust in state institutions, all necessary tests can be taken in private clinics providing laboratory and diagnostic services, but for a significant fee.

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Schedule of tests during pregnancy

The schedule of tests during pregnancy is the same for all expectant mothers with uncomplicated pregnancies; differences may only arise if complications or controversial test results arise.

At 0-12 weeks of pregnancy, a woman is registered at a women's clinic and the following tests are prescribed:

• Submission of urine from a pregnant woman for a general analysis and testing of kidney function.
• Taking a test for TORCH infections.
• Conducting an analysis to detect urogenital infections as prescribed by a doctor.
• Taking a vaginal smear for microflora.
• Conducting a general, biochemical blood test, determining blood sugar levels, determining blood clotting.
• Determination of the blood type and Rh factor of a pregnant woman.
• Conducting tests for AIDS (HIV), hepatitis B and C, syphilis.
• It is also recommended to visit specialized doctors - a dentist, a therapist, an ENT doctor - to treat possible diseases and not complicate the course of pregnancy.

At 12-14 weeks, the expectant mother is scheduled for her first ultrasound examination, which determines the pregnancy period, how many fetuses are in the uterus, and also determines whether the future child has any defects.

At 16-18 weeks, a "triple test" is prescribed to detect chromosomal abnormalities and other developmental abnormalities in the fetus. The levels of AFP, hCG, and NE are determined. If necessary, an additional referral is issued for amniocentesis if there is a suspicion of severe fetal pathologies.

At 24-26 weeks, a second ultrasound examination is performed to obtain more information about the baby's structure, determine the sex, position, presentation, and assess the condition of the placenta. The expectant mother should also give blood for a general analysis, hemoglobin, and ferritin.

At 33-34 weeks, Dopplerography is indicated (as prescribed by a doctor) to assess the condition of the uterine body vessels, placental and fetal blood circulation. This is necessary for timely detection of intrauterine oxygen starvation in the baby. Cardiotocography is also indicated (as prescribed by a doctor). This study allows you to assess the synchronicity of uterine contractions and fetal heartbeats.

At 35-36 weeks, tests are taken again, as in the first half of the pregnancy - to detect syphilis, AIDS, TORCH infection, a vaginal smear is also taken for microflora, a biochemical and general blood test, a general urine test. An ultrasound examination is carried out to calculate the approximate weight of the child, the volume of amniotic fluid, and to assess the condition of the placenta. If the pregnancy is proceeding physiologically, then the expectant mother should visit the doctor every week before giving birth and give urine for a general analysis.

Tests in the 1st trimester of pregnancy

Tests in the first trimester of pregnancy, when registering at the antenatal clinic, should be taken as soon as possible. The following tests are prescribed during the first visit to the gynecologist:

• Donate blood for AIDS. Donate blood for syphilis detection.
• Get a blood test to detect hepatitis B and C.
• Have your blood tested for hormone levels (“hormonal mirror”).
• Give blood to determine blood type and Rh factor. If it turns out that the pregnant woman has a negative Rh factor, and the father of the child is positive, then the expectant mother will need to give blood to determine the presence of antibodies every two weeks.
• Donate blood for biochemistry.
• Take a smear test to check the vaginal microflora.
• Submit a urine sample for general analysis.
• A referral for an ultrasound scan is issued at 10-12 weeks of pregnancy to have an idea of the number of fetuses in the uterus, to exclude possible pathologies of the fetus and the mother's reproductive system, to exclude chromosomal abnormalities, as well as an ectopic pregnancy.
• You also need to get tested for TORCH infections (rubella, herpes, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia).
• Before each visit to the doctor, you need to give a general urine test to monitor the functioning of the urinary system.
• Undergo an ECG.
• It is also necessary to consult with other related specialists - a therapist, ophthalmologist, ENT doctor, dentist.

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Tests in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy

Tests in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy are taken at certain weeks, and the second trimester itself begins at 13 and lasts until 24 weeks.

At 14-18 weeks, an AFP blood test is prescribed to detect fetal malformations and chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome, neural tube pathologies, hydrocephalus, Morfan syndrome, acromegaly and other severe pathologies).

At 24-26 weeks, it is necessary to undergo a second scheduled examination on an ultrasound machine. This is necessary to refute the presence of anomalies of organs and systems, it is also possible to determine the sex of the future baby, assess the condition of the placenta, the place of its attachment.

In addition, in the second trimester, it is necessary to take other tests that show the health of the mother and child - take a blood test to determine the level of hemoglobin, so as not to miss the development of anemia. And before each visit to the antenatal clinic, you need to take a urine test for a general analysis to monitor the functioning of the kidneys and not miss a hidden inflammatory process.

According to the doctor's indications, Dopplerography may be prescribed to evaluate the uterine blood circulation, examine the placental vessels and the fetus's vessels. If necessary, an ECG may be done; according to the doctor's recommendation, cardiotocography is prescribed at the end of the third trimester (to evaluate the rhythm of uterine contractions and the heartbeat of the unborn child).

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Tests in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy

Tests in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy basically duplicate the tests that the expectant mother took in the 1st trimester. These are tests for HIV, for antibodies to the syphilis pathogen, hepatitis groups B and C. A general blood test is also required, according to which it is possible to judge all physiological changes in the woman's body and control the hemoglobin level.

You need to give a general urine test before each visit to the doctor supervising your pregnancy. The composition of your urine can help identify some diseases at an early stage. For example, if protein is detected in your urine, you can judge nephropathy, gestosis, or diabetes. These diseases complicate the course of pregnancy and can threaten the life of the unborn child.

Also in the third trimester of pregnancy, the expectant mother should undergo a gynecological examination to collect material for a bacteriological smear. At 38-40 weeks, another gynecological examination is performed to examine the cervix. Based on the condition of the cervix, the gynecologist makes a conclusion about the approximate timing of delivery.

At each visit to the doctor, the expectant mother is required to have her blood pressure, abdominal circumference, fundus height measured, the fetal heartbeat listened to, weighed, and the weight gain process monitored in order to suspect gestosis or fetal fading in time.

Dopplerography is performed only if there is a suspicion of post-term pregnancy. This method provides information about the state of blood circulation in the uterus, about the blood flow of the placenta and the blood flow of the unborn child, and most importantly - in this way it is possible to find out whether the fetus suffers from oxygen starvation.

Cardiotocography is also performed according to indications if there is a suspicion of postmaturity of the fetus. This method is also used to assess the condition of the unborn child to exclude oxygen starvation.

The ultrasound calculates the baby's weight, makes a conclusion about the position, presentation, condition of the placenta, and the absence of developmental abnormalities in the fetus.

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Tests for men during pregnancy

Tests for men during pregnancy are not very different from tests when planning a pregnancy. A man, without even suspecting it, can often be a carrier of one or another infection, so in order to prevent the disease from being transmitted to his wife or future child, he must also take all the necessary tests in a timely manner.

• If there is no information about the man's blood type and Rh factor, he must take these tests (if the man has a positive Rh factor and the mother has a negative Rh factor, then there is a high risk of Rh factor mismatch between the fetus and the pregnant woman, and this complicates the course of pregnancy).
• The man should also be tested for TORCH infections and other dangerous hidden infections, even if the test was done before conceiving the child. This is especially important if the couple continues to have sex during pregnancy and does not use contact contraceptives.
• Also, a man must repeatedly donate blood for HIV and AIDS during his wife’s pregnancy.
• It is also necessary to take a nasal swab for bacterial culture (to exclude the possibility of carrying Staphylococcus aureus, and, if necessary, to treat the infection).
• If a genetic test was not performed before pregnancy, then, as directed by the doctor, it should be performed together with the pregnant woman.
• A man also needs to have a fluorography before conception and six months after conception to rule out the possibility of pulmonary tuberculosis and infection of the mother and the future child.

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Standards of tests during pregnancy

The norms of tests during pregnancy indicate that the gestation of the fetus is physiological. You need to know their norms to be sure that the test results are good. It is impossible to fully understand the test results on your own; it is better to let the doctor do this.

According to the results of a vaginal smear, an increase in leukocytes in the mucous membrane is allowed - 15-20 in the field of vision. This analysis is taken during the initial visit to the antenatal clinic, at 30 and 36-37 weeks. Also, the analysis should be taken if you are bothered by pain in the lower abdomen and altered vaginal discharge of an unusual color and odor.

Normally, a urine sample during pregnancy should not contain protein, sugar, bacteria, mucus, leukocytes 1-2 per field of vision, erythrocytes - 1 per field of vision, epithelial cells - 1-2 per field of vision, urine density - 1010-1030. An increase in the level of salt components in the urine indicates problems with the genitourinary system. Ketone bodies in the urine indicate the onset of toxicosis.

• The normal level of red blood cells in a blood test is 3.8-5.5 per 10 ¹² /l.
• The hemoglobin norm is 120-140 g/l.
• The normal hematocrit is 35-45%
• The normal distribution width of erythrocytes is 11.5-14.5%
• The platelet norm is 180-320 per 10 ⁹ g/l.
• The normal leukocyte count is 4.0-9.0 per 10 ⁹ /l.
• The norm for lymphocytes is 25-40%
• Monocytes, eosinophils, basophils, immature cells 5-10%
• Normal granulocytes – 47-72%
• The norm for monocytes is 4-10%
• ESR – 35-45 mm/h

Standards for a vaginal smear to determine microflora.

• Epithelial cells – up to 15 in the field of view, an increase in the number indicates inflammation.
• Leukocyte cells – up to 7-10 in the field of view.
• Erythrocytes – up to 2 per field of view.
• There should be no bacterial environment in the smear; a scanty rod-shaped environment is acceptable.
• The amount of mucus in the vaginal smear should be moderate.
• Gonococci, trichomonas, chlamydia, and fungi in a smear are deviations from the norm.

Decoding tests during pregnancy

Decoding tests during pregnancy makes it possible to gradually observe changes occurring in a woman’s body throughout the entire pregnancy.

Blood test.

• The hemoglobin norms in the blood of a pregnant woman fluctuate within the range of 110-140 g/l. A decrease in the indicators indicates anemia.
• The percentage ratio of hematocrit should not be less than 35-45%; a low value indicates the degree of iron deficiency in the blood.
• Red blood cell mass. The normal red blood cell count is 3.5-5.0 per 10¹² l. In pregnant women, this figure is slightly lower.
• Percentage of leukocytes. Normally, the percentage of white blood cells is 4-10.5 per 10 ⁹ l. In the third trimester, the indicator may increase slightly, but this is within the normal range.
• The percentage of lymphocytes is a quarter (25%).
• Basophil percentage 0.2%
• Eosinophil percentage 1.5%
• Percentage of monocytes 4.5%
• Platelet percentage 180-320 per 10 ⁹ l.
• ESR in pregnant women is elevated, but this is normal.

It is especially important to carefully monitor the following indicators in the blood test:

• Percentage of glucose. For a pregnant woman, the norm is 3.3-4.4 mmol/l.
• Percentage of proteins: albumin – 25-50 g/l.
• Percentage content of nitrogenous bases: urea – 2.5-8.3 sol/l and creatinine – 45-115 μmol/l.
• Percentage of enzymes: alkaline phosphatase (ALP) 25-90 IU.

Deviations from the norm in urine analysis during pregnancy may be as follows:

• A small content of protein fractions in urine is acceptable, no more than 0.033 g/l. At 32 weeks of pregnancy and later, the content of protein in urine indicates kidney pathology and can be the cause of suppression of placental function, premature birth, stillbirth.
• Presence of bacteria. A common deviation in pregnant women, indicates an inflammatory process in the kidneys.
• The presence of phosphates in urine is minimal, this is due to the process of development of the fetal skeleton. If the percentage of salts in urine is very high, then this indicates problems with the kidneys.

If any abnormalities are detected in the tests, the pregnant woman needs special treatment and observation by a specialist. In some cases, it is better to go to hospital for preservation and be under constant medical supervision until delivery.

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Bad tests during pregnancy

Bad test results during pregnancy are not a death sentence. If the test results do not correspond to the established norms, you may need to consult a related specialist and additional treatment. In order to understand which indicators are dangerous and which are not, you need to know in which trimester or week of pregnancy the changes were recorded.

In the first trimester, when the expectant mother takes the largest number of tests, many questions arise if the results do not correspond to the norms. Thus, according to the results of a general blood test, one can find out about hidden inflammations, a decrease in hemoglobin, and this can cause oxygen starvation of the fetus. In such situations, iron preparations and a vitamin diet are prescribed. If the number of platelets decreases, it is also necessary to identify the cause and prescribe treatment, since the likelihood of miscarriage increases.

In case of deviations in the biochemical analysis - the appearance of sugar in the blood, you need to consult an endocrinologist who will prescribe special treatment. The appearance of protein, bacteria, erythrocytes, leukocytes in the urine also requires urgent treatment - this is the only way to exclude serious complications.

The results of tests indicating fetal malformations will need to be repeated after some time. A special risk group is families in which such anomalies are hereditary or in which there are already children with deviations in the family.

The detection of bacteria in a vaginal smear indicates that it is necessary to correct the microflora and undergo specific treatment to prepare the birth canal and not infect the child.

Positive tests for TORCH infections, hepatitis, syphilis, HIV require special precautions for pregnancy management and corrective treatment. In many cases, with the correct tactics of doctors and competent management of pregnancy, healthy children are born, without developmental pathologies.

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