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Common Tests During Pregnancy
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The following are some of the more common tests performed during pregnancy:
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| alpha-fetoprotein screening (multiple marker screening)
amniocentesis
chorionic villus sampling
fetal monitoring |
glucose tolerance test
Group B strep culture
ultrasound
genetic screening | |
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What is an alpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP)? |
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This is a blood test that measures the level of alpha-fetoprotein in the mothers' blood during pregnancy. AFP is a protein normally produced by the fetal liver and is present in the fluid surrounding the fetus (amniotic fluid), and crosses the placenta into the mother's blood. The AFP blood test is also called MSAFP (maternal serum AFP).
Abnormal levels of AFP may signal the following: |
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- open neural tube defects (ONTD) such as spina bifida
- Down syndrome
- other chromosomal abnormalities
- defects in the abdominal wall of the fetus
- twins - more than one fetus is making the protein
- a miscalculated due date, as the levels vary throughout pregnancy
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AFP screening may be included as one part of a 2-, 3-, or 4-part screening, often called a multiple marker screen used. The other parts are: |
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- hCG - human chorionic gonadotropin hormone (a hormone produced by the placenta)
- estriol - a hormone produced by the placenta
- inhibin - a hormone produced by the placenta
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Abnormal test results of AFP and other markers may indicate the need for additional testing. Usually an ultrasound is performed to confirm the dates of the pregnancy and to look at the fetal spine and other body parts for defects. An amniocentesis may be needed for accurate diagnosis.
Multiple marker screening is not diagnostic. This means it is not 100 percent accurate, and is only a screening test to determine who in the population should be offered additional testing for their pregnancy. There can be false-positive results - indicating a problem when the fetus is actually healthy or false negative results - indicating a normal result when the fetus actually does have a health problem. |
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How is an alpha-fetoprotein test performed? |
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Although the specific details of each procedure vary slightly, generally, an alpha-fetoprotein test follows this process: |
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- Blood is usually drawn from a vein between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy (16th to 18th is ideal).
- The blood sample is then sent off for laboratory analysis.
- Results are usually available within one to two weeks or less, depending on the laboratory.
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What is an amniocentesis? |
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An amniocentesis is a procedure used to obtain a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus to diagnose chromosomal disorders and open neural tube defects (ONTDs) such as spina bifida. Testing is available for other genetic defects and disorders depending on the family history and availability of laboratory testing at the time of the procedure. An amniocentesis is generally offered to women between the 15th and 20th weeks of pregnancy who are at increased risk for chromosome abnormalities, such as women who are over age 35 years of age at delivery, or those who have had an abnormal maternal serum screening test, indicating an increased risk for a chromosomal abnormality or neural tube defect. |
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How is an amniocentesis performed? |
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An amniocentesis is a procedure that involves inserting a long, thin needle through the mother's abdomen into the amniotic sac to withdraw a small sample of the amniotic fluid for examination. The amniotic fluid contains cells shed by the fetus, which contain genetic information. Although specific details of each procedure vary slightly, generally, an amniocentesis follows this process: |
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- The woman's abdomen is cleansed with an antiseptic.
- The physician may/may not give a local anesthetic to numb the skin.
- Ultrasound is used to help guide a hollow needle into the amniotic sac.
- A small sample of fluid is withdrawn for laboratory analysis.
- Strenuous activities should be avoided for 24 hours following an amniocentesis.
- Women may feel some cramping during or after the amniocentesis.
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Women with twins or other multiples need sampling from each amniotic sac, in order to study each baby. Depending on the position of the baby, placenta, amount of fluid, or patient's anatomy, sometimes the amniocentesis cannot be performed.
The fluid is sent to a genetics laboratory so that the cells can grow and be analyzed. Alpha-fetoprotein, a protein made by the fetus that is present in the fluid, is also measured to rule out an open neural tube defect, such as spina bifida. Results are usually available in about 10 days to two weeks, depending on the laboratory. |
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What is a chorionic villus sampling (CVS)? |
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Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a prenatal test that involves taking a sample of some of the placental tissue. This tissue contains the same genetic material as the fetus and can be tested for chromosomal abnormalities and some other genetic problems. Testing is available for other genetic defects and disorders depending on the family history and availability of laboratory testing at the time of the procedure. In comparison to amniocentesis (another type of prenatal test), CVS does not provide information on neural tube defects such as spina bifida. For this reason, women who undergo CVS also need a follow-up blood test between 16 to 18 weeks of their pregnancy, to screen for neural tube defects. |
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How is CVS performed? |
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CVS may be offered to women who are at increased risk for chromosomal abnormalities or have a family history of a genetic defect that is testable from the placental tissue. CVS is usually performed between the 10th and 12th weeks of pregnancy. Although exact methods can vary, the procedure involves inserting a small tube called a catheter through a woman's vagina and into her cervix and usually follows this process: |
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- Ultrasound is used to guide the catheter into place near the placenta.
- Tissue is removed using a syringe on the other end of the catheter.
- Another method is transabdominal CVS, which involves inserting a needle through the woman's abdomen and into her uterus to sample the placental cells.
- Women may feel some cramping during and after the CVS procedure.
- The tissue samples are sent to a genetic laboratory to grow and be analyzed. Results are usually available in about 10 days to two weeks, depending on the laboratory.
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Women with twins or other multiples usually need sampling from each placenta. However, because of the complexity of the procedure, and positioning of the placentas, CVS is not always feasible or successful with multiples.
Some women may not be candidates for CVS or may not obtain results that are 100 percent accurate, and may therefore require a follow-up amniocentesis. In some cases there is an active vaginal infection such as herpes or gonorrhea, which will prohibit the procedure. Other times the physician obtains a sample that does not have enough tissue to grow in the laboratory, such that results are incomplete or inconclusive. |
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What is fetal monitoring? |
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During late pregnancy and during labor, your physician may want to monitor the fetal heart rate and other functions. Fetal heart rate monitoring is a method of checking the rate and rhythm of the fetal heartbeat. The average fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. The fetal heart rate may change as the fetus responds to conditions in the uterus. An abnormal fetal heart rate or pattern may mean that the fetus is not getting enough oxygen or there are other problems. An abnormal pattern also may mean that an emergency or cesarean delivery is needed. |
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How is fetal monitoring performed? |
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Using a fetoscope (a type of stethoscope) to listen to the fetal heart beat is the most basic type of fetal heart rate monitoring. Another type of monitoring is with a hand held Doppler device. This is often used during prenatal visits to count the fetal heart rate. During labor, continuous electronic fetal monitoring is often used, especially if an abnormal rhythm is heard with the fetoscope. Although the specific details of each procedure vary slightly, generally, electronic fetal monitoring follows this process: |
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- Gel is applied to the mother's abdomen to act as a medium for the ultrasound transducer.
- The ultrasound transducer is attached to the abdomen with straps and transmits the fetal heartbeat to a recorder. The fetal heart rate is displayed on a screen and printed onto special paper.
- During contractions, an external tocodynamometer (a monitoring device that is placed over the top of the uterus with a belt) can record the patterns of contractions.
- Sometimes internal fetal monitoring is necessary for a more accurate reading of the fetal heart rate. Your bag of waters (amniotic fluid) must be broken and your cervix must be partially dilated to use internal monitoring. Internal fetal monitoring involves inserting an electrode through the dilated cervix and attaching the electrode to the scalp of the fetus, called a fetal scalp electrode.
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What is a glucose tolerance test? |
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A glucose tolerance test, usually conducted in the 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy, measures levels of sugar (glucose) in the mother's blood. Abnormal glucose levels may indicate gestational diabetes. |
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How is a glucose tolerance test performed? |
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Although the specific details of each procedure vary slightly, generally, a glucose tolerance test follows this process: |
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- The mother-to-be may be asked to only drink water on the day the glucose tolerance test is given.
- An initial fasting sample of blood is drawn from a vein.
- You will be given a special glucose solution to drink.
- Blood will be drawn several times over the course of several hours to measure the glucose levels in your body.
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What is a Group B strep culture? |
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Group B Streptococcus (GBS) are bacteria found in the lower genital tract of 15 to 40 percent of all women. GBS infection usually causes no problems in women before pregnancy, but can cause illness in the mother during labor. GBS may cause chorioamnionitis (a severe infection of the placental tissues) and postpartum infection.
GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns, including pneumonia and meningitis. Newborn babies usually contract the infection from the mother's genital tract during labor and delivery.
Treatment of mothers with certain risk factors or positive cultures my reduce the risk of transmission of GBS to the baby. However, no treatment has been shown to completely prevent early onset of GBS. |
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What is an ultrasound? |
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 An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic technique which uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. A screening ultrasound is sometimes done during the course of a pregnancy to check normal fetal growth and verify the due date. Ultrasounds may be performed at various times throughout pregnancy for different reasons:
In the first trimester:
- to establish the dates of a pregnancy
- to determine the number of fetuses and identify placental structures
- to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
- to examine the uterus and other pelvic anatomy
- in some cases to detect fetal abnormalities
Mid-trimester: (sometimes called the 18 to 20 week scan)
- to confirm pregnancy dates
- to determine the number of fetuses and examine the placental structures
- to assist in prenatal tests such as an amniocentesis
- to examine the fetal anatomy for presence of abnormalities
- to check the amount of amniotic fluid
- to examine blood flow patterns
- to observe fetal behavior and activity
- to examine the placenta
- to measure the length of the cervix
- to monitor fetal growth
Third trimester:
- to monitor fetal growth
- to check the amount of amniotic fluid
- as part of other testing such as the biophysical profile
- to determine the position of a fetus
- to assess the placenta
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How is an ultrasound scan performed? |
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Although the specific details of each procedure vary slightly, generally, ultrasounds follow this process. Two types of ultrasounds can be performed during pregnancy: |
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- abdominal ultrasound - In an abdominal ultrasound, gel is applied to the abdomen and the ultrasound transducer glides over the gel on the abdomen to create the image.
- transvaginal ultrasound - In a transvaginal ultrasound, a smaller ultrasound transducer is inserted into the vagina and rests against the back of the vagina to create an image. A transvaginal ultrasound produces a sharper image and is often used in early pregnancy.
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Ultrasound images may be captured in still photographs or on video to document findings.
Ultrasound is a technique that is constantly being improved and refined. As with any test, results may not be completely accurate. However, ultrasound can provide valuable information for parents and health care providers to help manage and care for the pregnancy and fetus. In addition, ultrasound gives parents a unique opportunity to see their baby before birth, helping them to bond and establish an early relationship. |
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What is genetic screening? |
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Many genetic abnormalities can be diagnosed before birth. Your physician may recommend genetic testing during the pregnancy if you or your partner have a family history of genetic disorders and/or you have had a fetus or baby with a genetic abnormality.
Examples of genetic disorders that can be diagnosed before birth include the following: |
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- cystic fibrosis
- Duchenne's muscular dystrophy
- hemophilia A
- thalassemia
- sickle cell anemia
- polycystic kidney disease
- Tay-Sachs disease
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What do genetic screening methods include? |
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Genetic screening methods may include the following: |
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- ultrasound scan
- alpha-fetoprotein test (AFP) or multiple marker test
- chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
- amniocentesis
- percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (withdrawing a small sample of the fetal blood from the umbilical cord)
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