It’s never too early to start taking excellent care of your baby and yourself, which is why you’ll be visiting your obstetrician regularly from the start of your pregnancy. 

An important part of healthy pregnancy care is having certain routine medical tests, which help ensure the health of both you and your child.  Some tests, including blood pressure and hemoglobin, are given periodically throughout pregnancy while others are given at specific times.  These tests may be administered at the obstetrician's office, at a lab or at a Pinnacle Health facility.  Tests can include:

First Trimester

A Pap test to screen for precancerous abnormalities as well as sexually transmitted infections such as HPV, chlamydia and gonorrhea.

• A blood test to check for anemia (low red blood cell count), which can cause fatigue.
• A blood screening to check for blood type, HIV, and hepatitis C, immunity to hepatitis B, immunity to rubella (German measles) and syphilis.
• Lab tests to screen for cystic fibrosis, sickle cell, and other hereditary conditions.
• An ultrasound to determine the baby's due date.
• A urine test to measure sugar and protein levels.  Increased sugar in urine may indicate the mother has diabetes.  Protein in urine may be a sign of preeclampsia, a condition characterized by pregnancy-induced high blood pressure and swelling due to fluid retention.
• A first trimester screen for specific chromosomal abnormalities including Down's Syndrome and Trisomy-18.  This non-invasive evaluation combines a maternal blood screening test with an ultrasound evaluation of the fetus.

Learn more about first trimester screening   >>

Second Trimester

• A series of blood tests (quad screen) that provides information about the risk for specific genetic or birth defects.  The tests screen for conditions such as open neural tube defects (ONTD), Down’s Syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities.
• In the fifth month (around 20 weeks gestation), a detailed ultrasound is performed to determine if the baby and placenta are developing normally.

 Learn more about second trimester screening  >>

Third Trimester

• A test for group B streptococcus (GBS).  GBS is a common bacteria that, while usually harmless in adults, can be dangerous for a baby. A mother who tests positive for GBS is given intravenous antibiotics during labor to protect her baby from the bacteria.
• The screening test for gestational diabetes. Usually performed at the beginning of the third trimester (around 28 weeks), this test involves drinking a glucose drink followed by measurement of blood sugar levels after one hour. If blood sugar is abnormal, a three-hour glucose tolerance test may be performed after a few days of following a special diet.  Abnormal results to this second test indicate gestational diabetes.

 Learn more about prenatal testing   >>

Additional Tests for Women 35 and Older

Women who are 35 years or older may need additional tests such as chorionic villi sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. These tests are administered by maternal-fetal specialists and are considered routine for older mothers.

Learn more about pregnancy and maternal age