The Top Most Important Blood Tests to be done during Pregnancy

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The Top Most Important Blood Tests to be Done
during Pregnancy
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Objective

• Right from the start of pregnancy, your
  gynecologist will recommend several blood tests
  with the objective of ascertaining you and your
  fetuss health. 
• The tests are a vital part of your pregnancy
  journey, as it allows your doctor to come up with
  a personalized pregnancy care plan. 
• Also, problems or complications can be diagnosed
  early on with their help so that you and your
  baby get the right treatment on time. Here is a
  list of the most important blood tests offered
  during pregnancy, why they are required and when
  they should be done.

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1. Blood Group 

• This test determines your blood group, whether it
  is A, B, AB or O.
• Importance In case a need for blood transfusion
  arises due to heavy bleeding during pregnancy or
  childbirth, knowing the blood group is vital.
• When Done in the first trimester, usually in
  early pregnancy as a part of the first antenatal
  screening.

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2. Rh Factor 

• Red blood cells have a surface protein called the
  Rhesus (Rh) factor. If present, you are
  Rh-positive or else you are Rh-negative.
• Importance  If you are Rh-positive, which is
  common, then there is no need to worry. But if
  you are Rh-negative and the baby is Rh-positive,
  this can lead to Rh incompatibility. Your body
  can produce Rh antibodies against the babys
  blood cells. Although not an issue during the
  first pregnancy, these antibodies can attack the
  babys red blood cells in subsequent pregnancies,
  which can become life threatening to the baby. If
  tested in time, the Rh immune globulin
  injection can help to protect your baby.
• When First trimester. If the mother is
  Rh-negative, the test is repeated in the second
  trimester, at 28 weeks, to check for Rh
  antibodies.

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3. Complete blood count (CBC) and other routine
blood tests

• Hemoglobin, hematocrit, Iron levels to check for
  anemia, information about blood cells, blood
  glucose to check for diabetes, lipid levels as
  well as thyroid gland functioning are measured.
• Importance These tests diagnose anemia (which is
  common during pregnancy), diabetes, infection,
  and other disorders. Severe anemia can result in
  preterm birth or a low birth weight baby. On-time
  treatment and lifestyle changes can be done to
  ensure a healthy pregnancy.
• When First trimester. Repeated in the second
  trimester around 2628 weeks, mainly to check
  hemoglobin and platelet levels

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4. Sexually Transmitted Diseases and other
Infections

• Testing is done for Human Immunodeficiency Virus
  that causes AIDS, syphilis, herpes, hepatitis B
  and C, gonorrhea, Chlamydia and Rubella (German
  measles) antibodies.
• Importance These infections can lead to severe
  complications for the baby, including birth
  defects. Early diagnosis and treatment can
  prevent transmission to the fetus.
• When Done in the first trimester

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5. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone and
Pregnancy-associated plasma protein screening
(PAPP-A)

• The tests measure hCG and PAPP-A, which are
  produced by the placenta during early pregnancy.
• Importance Abnormal levels are associated with
  an increased risk of the fetus for chromosomal
  abnormalities like Down syndrome (trisomy 21) or
  Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
• When Done in the first trimester

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6. Multiple Markers

• Depending on the number of markers screened, it
  is called Quad test (4 markers) or Triple test (3
  markers). The following markers are tested
• a) Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) a protein made by
  the babys liver
• b) Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) a hormone
  produced by the placenta
• c) Estriol (uE3) a hormone made by both placenta
  and fetus
• d) Hormone inhibin A produced by the fetus and
  the placenta

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6. Multiple Markers

• Importance These tests screen for certain
  substances in the blood that determine the risk
  for genetic conditions or defects in the baby
  such as Down syndrome, spina bifida,
  or anencephaly. They are not diagnostic or
  completely accurate. Hence, they are considered
  along with the mothers age, health history,
  ethnicity and other factors to determine a more
  than average chance of the baby having a birth
  defect. In case of abnormal results, additional
  testing such ultrasound and an amniocentesis are
  done for an accurate diagnosis.
• When Between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy,
  although 16-18 weeks is ideal

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7. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test 

• This test measures the blood glucose level to
  check for diabetes that occurs during pregnancy,
  known as gestational diabetes. It usually goes
  away after childbirth. Initially, a 1-hour
  glucose tolerance test is done, which, if
  abnormal, is followed by a 3-hour glucose
  tolerance test.
• Importance Gestational diabetes can give rise to
  severe complications like pre-eclampsia and
  infection. Treatment can ensure healthy
  childbirth.
• When Between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy

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Conclusion

• Thus, these most important blood tests done
  during pregnancy check for a wide range of
  conditions and also give a fair idea about your
  unborn babys health. Depending on your ethnic
  background and family history, your doctor might
  recommend other prenatal tests.

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About CordlifeIndia

• CordlifeIndia provides services like stem cell
  cord blood banking, stem cell preservation.
• CordlifeIndia is a consumer healthcare company
  catering to the mother and child segment.
• We provide reliable healthcare solutions through
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References

• https//www.cordlifeindia.com/blog/top-important-b
  lood-tests-done-pregnancy/
• http//acog.org/patient-resources/faqs/pregnancy/r
  outine-tests-during-pregnancy
• http//ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books
• http//hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-pre
  vention/common-tests-during-pregnancy