Urine tests are done more than once during pregnancy. These tests indicate if there is protein in the urine, which is an indication of an infection, a kidney disease or preeclampsia (pregnancy-induced high blood pressure).
Presence of sugar in urine indicates gestational diabetes, while bacteria in urine indicate urinary tract infection.
4. Routine Screening Ultrasound
The first routine ultrasound is done between 8-12th weeks of the pregnancy, while the second is done around 14th week of pregnancy. The first one is just to find out the position of the child and the health of the mother’s uterus. The second routine is to check the thickness of nuchal cord, which may show possibility of Down Syndrome in the child.
5. Alpha-Fetoprotein Test
This is a maternal serum screening test that detects levels of a protein called Alpha-fetoprotein in the mother’s body, which may indicate birth defects in the child.
6. Pap-A test
This test also indicated birth defects. Also, a normal Pap test may be recommended to detect cervical cancer, STDs such as Gonorrhoea and Chlamydia along with cystic fibrosis, which may affect delivery.
7. Triple-Marker Screening Test
This test includes examination of three factors in the body.
- Alpha-fetoprotein
- Serum Estriol
- Beta HCG
These are very comprehensive screening tests for any birth defects in the baby. Beta HCG is a pregnancy hormone that gradually increases in mother’s body during pregnancy. The levels of this hormone tell whether the foetal growth is normal.
8. Three Dimentional Ultrasound and Anomaly Scan
These scans are done around 20th week of pregnancy to check if there is any condition that may require termination of pregnancy. After 20 weeks, pregnancy termination is not advisable.
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