Title: Pregnancy - prenatal tests - Better Health Channel
Headings: Pregnancy - prenatal tests
Pregnancy - prenatal tests
Summary
On this page
Tests to confirm pregnancy
Tests to monitor the health of the mother and the baby
Tests for specific medical conditions in pregnancy
Screening tests and diagnostic tests in pregnancy
Screening tests
Diagnostic tests
Making decisions about diagnostic testing in pregnancy
Where to get help
Things to remember
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Content: Care includes tests that check on the health of both you and your baby, and help to identify any problems with the pregnancy. Routine prenatal tests may include: blood tests at different stages of the pregnancy, such as blood group, iron levels, checks for maternal diabetes and infections
ultrasound (first trimester) – a painless, non-invasive scan done within the first three months of pregnancy. This can be used to confirm the number of babies and helps to calculate the date you are due to give birth. This is known as your estimated due date. ultrasound (second trimester) – this is usually performed between 18 and 20 weeks. It is used to check the baby’s development, and monitor the size and location of the placenta. The baby’s sex can often be determined (if you wish to know), although this may not be 100 per cent accurate. ultrasound (third trimester) – in the last three months of pregnancy, an ultrasound may be offered to check the baby’s growth, fluid levels around the baby and the positioning of the placenta. Tests for specific medical conditions in pregnancy
Tests for specific medical conditions (including Down syndrome, neural tube defects such as spina bifida, or genetic conditions known to be present in a family) are optional.