What are the essential prenatal tests at each trimester?
From the first blood panel to the third-trimester ultrasound, here's the typical schedule of recommended prenatal tests.
At your first prenatal visit, typically before 10 weeks, you'll get a full blood panel to determine blood type and Rh factor, check immunity to rubella and other infections, and screen for anemia. A urine test and screening for sexually transmitted infections round out this first workup.
Between 11 and 14 weeks, the dating ultrasound confirms gestational age and can be paired with a blood test for first-trimester combined screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions. A non-invasive prenatal screening blood test may also be offered at this point, depending on your situation.
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In the second trimester, the anatomy ultrasound (18-22 weeks) examines your baby's development in detail, and the glucose tolerance test, done between 24 and 28 weeks, screens for gestational diabetes. A second blood test also checks how anemia is progressing.
In the third trimester, monitoring becomes more frequent, with a blood pressure check and urine test at every visit to screen for preeclampsia, a Group B strep vaginal swab between 35 and 37 weeks, and sometimes a growth ultrasound if your baby's size or the placenta's position warrants it.
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This information is general and does not replace advice from your healthcare professional (doctor, midwife, nurse, pharmacist). Every situation is unique: always check with them before making a decision. In an emergency, call 911 or your local emergency services.
