An Overview of Tests to Expect During Pregnancy

An Overview of Tests to Expect During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a wondrous time in the life of a woman. For 40 weeks on average, a woman’s body when pregnant will go through a number of changes that culminate in the delivery of another human being. It is amazing how human life develops and equally amazing what the human body can do to accommodate that life. Because pregnancy is a delicate time, your OBGYN will order certain tests during the 40 week span to ensure the health of you and the baby.

When you see a Gynecologist at Fayetteville Women’s Care, you can expect that the following tests will or could be part of your pregnancy care with us:

  • A urine test can confirm the pregnancy. A urine test can also be used to check glucose and albumin levels. A urine test is also used to check for kidney infection.
  • Blood tests are done to check blood type, test for HIV and other STDs that could affect the pregnancy, check anemia levels, and assess your risk for certain genetic diseases.
  • Cervical swabs are done to test for cervical cancer, and certain STDS.
  • Ultrasounds are done throughout the pregnancy to measure the height and weight of the baby, to determine the sex, and to examine the heartbeat. Malformations can also be detected using ultrasounds.
  • Nearly halfway through the pregnancy, you will receive glucose testing to determine the presence of pregnancy-induced diabetes.
  • Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring can detect fetal distress if there is any.
  • A nonstress test simply monitors the baby’s heart rate as it is moving around.
  • A contraction stress test measures the baby’s response to a contraction.
  • Amniocentesis is an optional test that detects genetic disorders or neural tube defects.
  • Group B streptococcus screening determines the presence of Group B strep which could be harmful to your baby. If the test is positive, you will be given antibiotics.

Your gynecologist will talk you through all of the tests during pregnancy as they come up. It is your gynecologist’s job to take good care of you and your baby, and it is a job that the OBGYN’s at Fayetteville Women’s Care take seriously. If you have any questions about any of the tests offered during pregnancy, give us a call today at (910) 323-2103.