Congratulations! You know that you are pregnant. However, be prepared for many pokes and monitoring during the next forty weeks.
The number of medical tests that you have to go through may overwhelm you a bit but don’t worry. After all, now that you are responsible for two lives it is vital to know that both are healthy. Here is a list of the tests that you must do during this period.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This measures, among other things, the number of white and red blood cells in your body. For example a low haemoglobin level and the hematacrit count could mean that you are anemic. The doctor would the recommend the right medicines to take care of this factor.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD)
When blood samples are checked, they are tested for STDs like HIV, syphilis, herpes and Hepatitis B and C. Additionally cervical swabbing will check for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia. It is important to know that this diseases are not present as otherwise they can be passed down to the foetus. If you are suffering from any, the doctor will be prescribing the necessary antibiotics for the same.
Rh Factor
This one tests for a protein that is found in the red blood cells. If you have the protein you are considered positive. However for those lacking it (i.e. are Rh negative), complications can occur. This is especially if the father is Rh+ and the mother is Rh-. The doctor prevents any complications from occurring by a simple vaccination around the 28th week of pregnancy.
Urine Tests
These tests are performed to check for the sugar level, and hence gestational diabetes in the mother. Other factors that are brought to light through urine tests are kidney infections, dehydration and level of nourishment of the body.
