Maternal and Child Health (Maternity Services) - Prenatal Care
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Prenatal tests and monitoring
Throughout your pregnancy, your obstetrician will monitor you and your baby. These checkups are important in detecting any early signs of problems in the womb, and to provide you with peace of mind about your baby’s development. Your obstetrician will select the appropriate prenatal tests at the appropriate time based on your unique pregnancy.
The timeline below is a general guide of the tests that your OB-GYN may perform. Your obstetrician can answer any questions you may have. Some of these tests may be repeated during your pregnancy.
First Trimester (Fertilization to 13 weeks)
- Blood type and Rh Factor determines the likelihood of you and your baby having an incompatible blood type. If you are Rh negative, there is a higher probability that you and your baby will be incompatible. A supplement of Rh immunoglobulin may be needed to reduce the risk of complications during pregnancy.
- Pap smear, gonorrhea, HIV and chlamydia tests check for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that could be passed on to the fetus if left untreated.
- First trimester screen is a simple blood test that checks for chromosomal abnormalities of the baby.
- Nuchal translucency —also referred to as a nuchal fold scan or NT— is a screening for Down syndrome that uses an ultrasound to measure the amount of fluid accumulating on the back of the baby’s neck.
Second Trimester (14 to 27 weeks)
- Ultrasound—also referred to as a sonogram—uses sound waves to safely create a picture of your baby in the womb. Ultrasounds allow your obstetrician to examine the size of the baby, the placental placement and identify the sex. Ultrasounds are usually performed at regular intervals throughout your pregnancy.
- Complete blood count (CBC) is a standard blood test to check for anemia during your pregnancy.
- Glucose tolerance test is a fasting blood test to check your blood sugar levels for signs of gestational diabetes, a temporary form of diabetes that presents during pregnancy.
- Amniocentesis involves removing a small amount of fluid from the amniotic sac to look for birth defects and chromosome issues.
- Alpha fetoprotein (AFP) test is a blood test that examines the levels of a protein produced by the fetal liver and yolk sac. Abnormal levels of AFP in the mother’s blood can indicate brain or spinal defects as well as increased risks for Down syndrome in the baby.
Third Trimester (28 weeks to birth)
- Vaginal beta strep culture checks for a strep infection that could be passed onto your baby during labor. This is a common infection and if present, you’ll be given an antibiotic during labor to prevent infection to your baby.
- Checking for swelling of the hands, ankles and face which are sometimes signs of preeclampsia, a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- The position of the baby, particularly during the last weeks of pregnancy, can indicate if the baby is in a breech (feet first) position.
Additional Prenatal Tests
In some pregnancies, additional prenatal exams may be requested by your doctor. These exams are often suggested for pregnant woman over the age of 35 because there is an increased risk of complications including Down syndrome.
- Multiple marker screening (triple or quadruple screen testing) is a blood test used to check for birth defects, similar to the first trimester screen.
- Biophysical profile (BPP) includes multiple tests to determine the baby’s heart rate, movement, breathing and amount of amniotic fluid.
- Chorionic villus sampling involves removing a small sample of placenta tissue to test for genetic defects.
- Non-stress test measures the fetal heart rate while the baby is moving.
- A contraction stress test uses a fetal Doppler (heart monitor) to ensure that the baby will stay healthy during labor when there are reduced oxygen levels.
Early detection of health problems can help your obstetrician prepare for a safe delivery. Our perinatologists – medical doctors specializing in high risk obstetrics – will work with your doctor to perform and interpret results of prenatal testing and design treatment plans for high-risk pregnancies. Read more about perinatology at Scripps.
Find a San Diego OB-GYN
Scripps can help you find an obstetrician/gynecologist to provide comprehensive care for you and your baby. Call 1-800-SCRIPPS (1-800-727-4777) to speak with an advisor about physicians, office hours, locations and types of insurance accepted, or visit our Doctor Finder.