There are less than three months left until the baby is born, right? This final period is really special. It is a time of excitement, impatience, and sometimes even a little fear. Along with all this, your doctor will perform several tests during this time to thoroughly check the health of you and your unborn baby. Some of these are quite familiar to you by now. Let's talk about all this simply and clearly.
Routine tests performed at the clinic
Some of the tests you had throughout your pregnancy will continue during these last three months, because changes can happen very quickly during this time.
Urine and blood tests
As with every clinic visit, your urine will be tested. The main thing here is to check for protein and sugar in the urine.
- Protein: Protein in the urine can be an early sign of a condition called preeclampsia . Simply put, this is a complication of high blood pressure that can occur late in pregnancy. It is very important to recognize it early.
- Sugar: Checking the sugar level in the urine is to monitor for gestational diabetes.
- Blood test: You may also have another blood test done at this time to see if you have anemia .
Measuring weight, pressure, and baby's growth
These are all things you're used to by now. Your weight and blood pressure are constantly being measured. Also, remember the doctor measuring your belly with a tape measure? This is called the fundal height measurement. That is, the distance from the bone at the bottom of your belly to the top of your uterus. This measurement can give you a rough idea of whether your baby is growing properly. By this time, you can even hear your baby's heartbeat very clearly!
Are you ready for childbirth? Pelvic Exams
In the last few weeks of pregnancy, your doctor may begin a pelvic exam, which involves inserting a finger through your vagina. This is done to check if your cervix is preparing for labor.
This preparation involves the cervix gradually softening, thinning, and gradually starting to open (dilate). This is also called "ripening."
Imagine, for the baby to come out, that door has to open little by little. This is to see if that will happen. But this is a very strange thing. For some mothers, the cervix may open a centimeter or two a few weeks before the baby is due, and then it may stay that way for a few days. No one can say exactly how it will happen. Therefore, it is difficult to say with certainty about the day the baby will be born just from this test.
Test for Group B Strep
This may not be something many moms have heard of, but it's a very important test. Between 35 and 37 weeks, a swab is taken from your vagina and rectum.
Why are you doing this?
Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that is normally present in the bodies of about 30% of healthy women. It does not cause any harm to the mother. However, if this bacteria infects the baby during childbirth, it can sometimes cause dangerous infections in the newborn.
Don't be afraid to hear this. This test is done to find out if there is a risk in advance and prevent it. If the test confirms that you have GBS, the doctor will give you antibiotics when the baby is born. This will protect the baby from this bacteria without causing any harm.
Special tests to check the baby's well-being
Sometimes, especially if you have risk factors like diabetes, high blood pressure, are expecting twins, or are past your due date, your doctor may recommend a few more special tests to see if the baby is doing well in the womb.
| Name of the test | Simply put, what do you do with this? |
|---|---|
| Electronic Fetal Heart Monitoring | Two straps are placed around your belly, one to monitor your baby's heartbeat and the other to monitor your uterine contractions. This will help you know if your baby is doing well or if he or she is in any discomfort. |
| Non-stress Test (NST) | This is also a test that is done with a strap, as mentioned above. Here, we are looking at whether the baby's heart rate increases in a healthy way when he moves (moves) . Just like our heart rate increases when we exercise. If the baby is healthy, the heart rate should increase when he moves. |
| Contraction Stress Test (CST) | This is done in even more risky situations. Here, a small amount of the hormone oxytocin is given, or in some other way, to induce small uterine contractions similar to those during labor. By watching how the baby's heart rate responds at that time, doctors get an idea of whether the baby can withstand the pressure of labor . |
Ultrasound and Biophysical Profile
It's normal to have one or two scans throughout your pregnancy. But if you're having twins or other complications, you may need more frequent scans during this final stage. These scans check the baby's position , growth, and weight.
Sometimes your doctor may ask you to do a test called a Biophysical Profile (BPP) .
This is actually a combination of a non-stress test (NST) and a scan.
This is a very in-depth look at the baby's health. The scan looks at 4 main things:
- Fetal breathing movements
- Baby's gross body movements
- Fetal muscle tone
- The amount of water around the baby (Amniotic fluid volume)
By combining all of this with the results of the NST, the doctor can get a clear picture of how comfortable and healthy the baby is in the womb.
Hearing about these tests may make you feel scared. But remember, all these tests are done to protect you and your most precious asset, your baby. If you have any questions or concerns, never hesitate to discuss them openly with your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Tests performed during the last three months of pregnancy are common and important things to do for the safety of you and your baby.
- Early detection and treatment of conditions like preeclampsia and Group B Strep can prevent serious complications.
- For mothers with high-risk conditions, special tests such as NST and BPP are performed to constantly monitor the baby's well-being. It is not a cause for concern, but a precautionary measure.
- If you have any questions, doubts, or concerns about any test, never hesitate to ask your doctor. Being clearly informed will give you peace of mind.
- During this time, rest well, eat nutritious food, and be happy. There's still time to see your pet!
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