During your pregnancy you have to undergo different kinds of tests necessary to monitor the growing fetus. These tests are categorized into tow different groups which are screening tests and diagnostic tests.

The screening tests are the basic tests that are conducted to find out if the baby has any chances of developing some problems. The results of the test help you and the doctor identify possible risks that are likely to arise during your pregnancy. The results of these tests will determine whether there is a need for diagnostic tests.

The different kinds of screening tests are as follows:

First trimester screening:

This test involves a maternal blood test and ultrasound and is conducted during the 11th and 13th week of pregnancy. The blood test is necessary to monitor three hormones and their level in the blood. The ultrasound helps in seeing the fluid located at the back of the baby’s head.

Ultrasound:

Conducted during the 18th and 20th weeks, it is done to find out chromosome disorders, size and position of the fetus, whether there are twins or not and identify birth defects. It is a very common prenatal test.

Maternal serum screening:

Also referred to as the alpha fedaprotein or quad marker test, it is conducted during the 15th and 20th weeks and helps in checking for downs syndrome and spina bifida (an open neural tube defect).

Integrated screening:

This involves one ultrasound and two blood tests. The first blood test is done with the ultrasound and the second between the 15th and 20th weeks. This test also helps in identifying the chances of downs syndrome and trisoma 18.

Sequential screening:

This is similar to the integrated screening and is conducted in two parts.

Genetic carrier screening:

This includes special kinds of tests that are carried out to identify different kinds of genetic disorders like sickle celled anemia, thalassemia, canavan disease and others. These kinds of tests are very common among the following groups:

  • African Americans, Hispanics (sickle cell anemia)
  • Northern European Caucasians (cystic fibrosis)
  • Greek, Italian, Southeast Asians, Hispanics (Thalassemia)
  • Ashkenazi Eastern European Jews (Tay-Sachs disease, Canavan disease, familial dysautonomia, cystic fibrosis)

Cystic fibrosis screening:

In this test, the mother’s blood is tested to see whether she has the genes that cause cystic fibrosis.

Each of these screening tests plays an important part in assuring you the good health of your baby.

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