What Medical Tests Might Be Done During My Pregnancy
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Posted On :
Jan-05-2012
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Article Word Count :
714
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Optional Routine Tests.There are a couple of tests that are considered to be fairly routine, yet warranted if the mother's history indicates it. They are still considered to be routine tests.
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Optional Routine Tests
There are a couple of tests that are considered to be fairly routine, yet warranted if the mother's history indicates it. They are still considered to be routine tests.
Multiple Marker Screen
The multiple marker screen is a test offered to most pregnant women between 15¨C20 weeks. It is used to identify those fetuses with certain chromosomal abnormalities and also neural tube defects. The test is not inclusive of all chromosomal abnormalities, but it does look for the more common ones, such as Down syndrome. If the test is abnormal, then the patient may be offered a comprehensive ultrasound of the fetus, as well as the opportunity to have an amniocentesis.
Many times, this multiple marker screen test comes back abnormal because of a mistake in the dating of the pregnancy. The test is supposed to be performed between 15¨C20 weeks. If you are tested inadvertently at 14 weeks, the test may flag an abnormality that isn't really there. In this case, the doctors are trained to verify the dates as best they can before they proceed to an amniocentesis. Sometimes, they'll recalculate the dates to make sure they were accurate or look for minor errors. They'll probably do an ultrasound to measure the baby's gestational age. If they still believe the test result is abnormal, they may
recommend other options.
Cystic Fibrosis Screening Test
This test involves a simple blood test for the mother and basically tests you to see whether or not you are a carrier of cystic fibrosis. If the test is positive, then the doctor will probably want your partner to come in for a test. The results of both parents'tests determine if the fetus is at risk for CF.
High Risk Tests
In addition to the routine history, the doctor will check for any unusual or serious medical conditions that the patient may have or that could be genetically related. For example, if you have a history of diabetes, sickle cell anemia, tuberculosis, blood clots, high blood pressure, previous abdominal or surgical history, or anything that might show up as a warning signal, your doctor will be paying closer attention to these areas.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound can be a routine test, but it can also be a high risk test when the doctor is evaluating a specific high-risk issue, such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, placenta previa, and so forth. Sometimes, diabetic patients will have cardiac anomalies affecting their fetus, and this can also be monitored with ultrasound. You'll find lots of controversy among doctors about the frequency of doing a routine pelvic or obstetrical ultrasound. Many women seem to take it for granted and would be happy to have one at every visit, but from a medical perspective, it's not necessary to get an ultrasound more than once or twice during the pregnancy without a medical indication.
The benefits of ultrasound include a more accurate dating of the pregnancy and a possible identification of any abnormalities sooner rather than later. For the most part in the U.S., routine regular ultrasounds have not been shown to improve the
pregnancy's outcome or proven to be cost effective. Conditions where it might be medically indicated include when the fluid level is low or the baby is in a breech presentation; if the placenta is in an abnormal location; or if the doctor needs a special anatomic evaluation of the baby.
Other High Risk Tests
Whatever medical conditions or history a mother has will dictate specific tests to evaluate those concerns. Some conditions might necessitate testing for heart disease, severe diabetes, high blood pressure, neurological problems, renal disease, cervical and/or uterine abnormalities, thyroid dysfunction, asthma, lupus, breast cancer, cancers in general, and frequent miscarriages.
These are just a few potential medical problems that may require further medical investigation, as these conditions have the potential for adversely affecting the mother's health, as well as the baby's. It's important that you be honest with your doctor and let him/her know all your past medical and surgical issues (and family histories) that you may have been exposed to. Your baby's life and your own could be at stake.
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Article Source :
http://www.articleseen.com/Article_What Medical Tests Might Be Done During My Pregnancy_129409.aspx
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Author Resource :
I love to share sources which help address common issues in women. For more information on having a baby naturally, check out this Personal Path to Pregnancy. Also check out Pregnancy Without Pounds, where you can discover methods to have a healthy pregnancy while remaining sexy after birth.
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Keywords :
Tests Performed During Pregnancy, Medical Tests During Pregnancy, Common Tests During Pregnancy,
Category :
Health and Fitness
:
Health and Fitness
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