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Check Ups and Tests
Investigations or check ups are done in the beginning of pregnancy to make sure that you are medically fit to carry your pregnancy. They are also done to determine if there is any problem that could harm your baby or adversely affect your health. For instance if you are a diabetic and your blood levels are high and uncontrolled in the first three months of your pregnancy, this could give rise to problems in your baby. the chances of having an abnormal baby in such cases is 8 times higher than when the blood sugar is well under control.
Some special tests are usually carried out during pregnancy, which reveal the state of health of both the baby developing in the womb, and the mother-to-be. Some of the more important tests are discussed here.
- Pregnancy test to confirm a pregnancy. Done either by a urine examination or a blood test.
- Urine analysis. A routine test to rule out infection and other problems.
- Rh type and blood group.
- Routine blood tests for anemia, diabetes, thyroid disorders, infections.
- HIV & HbSAg for hepatitis B. This is important as the line of management for such high risk pregnancies is different.
- Amniocentesis (15-18 weeks) - a very accurate diagnostic test for genetic disorders & chromosomal problems.
- Ultrasound screening. This test is performed at the sonologist's clinic or sometimes in the clinic of your obstetrician. The test is not invasive and does not cause any problems in the baby even if repeated frequently through out the pregnancy. It tells us how the baby is growing, even detects some abnormalities and gives a lot of details on the overall fetal well being.
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