Becoming a parent is an exciting journey, and prenatal care plays an important role in ensuring the health and well-being of you and your baby. Ultrasound is perhaps the most well-known of the prenatal tests, providing the first visual connection to your baby. This non-invasive imaging technique uses sound waves to create a picture of the developing fetus. Blood tests during pregnancy serve a dual purpose — they provide valuable information about your health and screen for potential genetic disorders in your baby.
Routine blood tests measure levels of essential components like hemoglobin and iron, ensuring you are healthy. Gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy, has the potential to put both you and your baby at risk. The glucose screening test is conducted between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy to assess how your body processes sugar. Detecting and managing gestational diabetes early on can significantly reduce the risk of complications, ensuring a healthier pregnancy and birth.
Read more about this prenatal test here. The GBS screening, typically performed around weeks 35 to 37, helps identify whether or not you carry the bacterium. If you are positive, your healthcare provider will want to administer prophylactic antibiotics during labor to decrease the chances of your baby developing an infection.
Many of our clients are concerned about receiving antibiotics for prevention rather than treatment and killing good bacteria, leading to other health concerns for them and their babies. Read more here. If you are at higher risk of genetic disorders, more invasive procedures like amniocentesis and CVS may be recommended. Amniocentesis involves collecting a small sample of amniotic fluid, while CVS involves obtaining a sample of placental tissue. Both tests provide detailed genetic information about the fetus but come with a slightly higher risk of complications.
They are usually offered to individuals with specific risk factors identified through earlier screenings. These tests are especially crucial in the later stages of pregnancy as you approach 41 weeks, for example to ensure your baby is thriving and ready for a safe delivery.
