The joy you feel when you find out you're expecting a baby is indescribable, right? But at the same time, you also have a few fears and many questions. "Is the baby okay?", "Will something happen to me?", "Will everything be normal?" It's very normal to think things like this. That's why doctors do various tests to take good care of you and your baby during pregnancy. These are used to closely monitor your and your baby's health. Therefore, it's very important to go to the clinic every day that the doctor says to come.
Today, we'll talk about these tests that are performed during the first three months of pregnancy, that is, the first trimester.
Why are these tests so important?
Simply put, these tests can identify any potential problems that may arise for you or your baby in advance. Then, you can take the necessary steps quickly. This is like knowing in advance about a pothole ahead while driving on a road. Then, we can avoid it and drive carefully, right? That's what these tests are like.
During your first or second visit, your doctor will ask you a lot of questions. They will ask about your health history and any family history of diseases (such as genetic diseases). This information will help your doctor determine if you are at particular risk. They will also perform a physical exam. Your due date is calculated based on the date of your last menstrual period.
What are the main tests done in the first 3 months?
There are several tests that are performed during early pregnancy. Let's understand each of them clearly. For convenience, I will present them in a table.
| Name of the test | What do you see in this? |
|---|---|
| Pelvic exam and Pap smear | It checks the health of your cervical cells. It also checks for cervical cancer and some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). |
| Blood tests | Your blood type and Rh factor, whether you have anemia, whether you have immunity to rubella (German measles), and whether you have diseases such as Hepatitis B, Syphilis, and HIV are checked. |
| Urine tests | They check for kidney infections. They also regularly check the urine for glucose (a sign of diabetes) and protein (a sign of preeclampsia). |
| Other specialized blood tests | Depending on your family history, your doctor may also test for genetic diseases such as Tay-Sachs, Cystic Fibrosis, and Sickle Cell Anemia. They may also check your levels of the hormones hCG and progesterone, which help maintain pregnancy. |
Special tests that look at the baby's genetic conditions
Towards the end of the first trimester, between weeks 11 and 14, you will be offered several tests that can help you learn about your baby's genetic conditions. The decision to have these tests is entirely up to you.
Some mothers feel that these tests are an unnecessary burden on their minds. But others want to know everything possible in advance. It is important to remember that these tests may not be 100% accurate.
Therefore, talk carefully with your doctor about the pros and cons of these tests and make an informed decision.
Non-invasive tests that pose no risk to the baby
These only require a blood sample and a scan from you. The baby will not be harmed in any way.
- Combined Test: This measures the levels of proteins called `hCG` and `PAPP-A` in your blood. At the same time, a scan measures the thickness of the skin at the back of the baby's neck. This is called a ` nuchal translucency (NT) scan`. The results of both tests are combined to calculate the risk of genetic conditions such as Down syndrome and Trisomy 18.
- Noninvasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT): This is also a test that uses a blood sample from you. During pregnancy, a small amount of the baby's DNA is added to the mother's blood. This test can detect with high accuracy (about 99%) whether the baby has a genetic disorder by examining that DNA (`cell-free fetal DNA`).
Invasive tests that pose very little risk to the baby
Your doctor may recommend this test if the above non-risk tests show a problem, or if you are over 35 years old or have a family history of genetic diseases.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): This is usually done between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy. A very small tube is inserted through the vagina into the cervix, or a small needle is inserted into the abdomen, and a very small piece of tissue is taken from the placenta. Examining this tissue can accurately identify many genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome, sickle cell anemia, and cystic fibrosis.
- Important: There is a very small risk of miscarriage (about 1%) with this test. It also cannot detect conditions such as neural tube defects. These are screened for with a separate blood test later.
What if you're having twins?
A twin pregnancy is considered a high-risk pregnancy. Therefore, your doctor will monitor you and your baby very closely. You will have all the usual tests that other mothers do, but some of them may need to be done a little earlier and more often.
Your doctor may also refer you to a perinatologist or Maternal Fetal Medicine specialist.
Take-Home Message
- Be sure to go to the clinic on every day listed in your "clinic book." It's very important for your and your baby's health.
- Early screenings can help identify potential health problems in your baby and your baby.
- Genetic tests are something that gives you a choice. Ask your doctor about them until you are fully aware of their pros and cons.
- If you have any questions or concerns about any test, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor.
- Every pregnancy is different, so you may not have the same tests your friend had, or you may have tests they didn't have. Don't worry about that.
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