The Women's Health Group

Prenatal Lab Work Guide

Labs drawn at your first nurse visit:

1. Blood Typing – This test determines your blood type, Rh type, and antibody factor. If your blood type is Rh negative, special monitoring of your blood may be necessary to check for Rh incompatibility.
2. Antibody Screen – detects unusual antibodies that may have arisen in a prior pregnancy or from a blood transfusion.
3. CBC (Complete Blood Count) – This test checks your blood to determine if you are anemic (do not have enough iron in your blood). Women usually become slightly anemic as the pregnancy progresses, but very low levels of iron will need to be treated. Platelet levels are also assessed. These are necessary for coagulation.
4. Rubella Test (German Measles) – an antibody test to determine if you are protected from Rubella.
5. Syphilis Screening (RPR/VDRL) – tests for exposure to syphilis. If present, treatment can be initiated so that the fetus is not harmed.
6. Hepatitis B (HBSAG) – checks for infection with the Hepatitis B virus, which can be passed to an unborn child.
7. 1 Hour Glucose – your care provider may order per your obstetric history.
8. Hepatitis C – Hepatitis C is a viral infection of the liver. A simple blood test can be done to detect the infection.
9. HIV – test that checks for the AIDS virus. If you have HIV infection, you can be treated during pregnancy, which will reduce the chances of you passing the virus to your unborn child.
10. Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Screening – Consult with your care provider if you think you or your partner may be a carrier.
11. Hgb Electrophoresis – tests for Sickle Cell Anemia and other genetic causes of chronic anemia.

Screenings performed at your first visit with your care provider:

1. Pap smear – checks for abnormal cervical cells.
2. DNA Probe – a cervical culture to check for diseases that can infect your baby during birth.
3. Affirm – This is a vaginal culture that tests for the three most common forms of vaginitis; candidia, gardnerella and trichomonas.

Additional tests performed throughout pregnancy:

1. 10-13 weeks – Sequential Part I. A voluntary screening test for Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18. This test may be followed by Part II during 15-21 weeks gestation.
2. 15-20 weeks – Quad Test is optional. This test measures the levels of AFP, HCG, estriol, and inhibin A in your blood. These levels are then used to calculate the risk of chromosomal or neural tube abnormalities in your baby. If this test indicates a high probability, your care provider may recommend an amniocentesis.
3. 15-21 weeks – Sequential Part II. The second screening tests for open neural tube defects, Down Syndrome and Trisomy 18.
4. 16 weeks – Amniocentesis for genetic screening. This test is voluntary and may be recommended for certain high risk patients.
5. 28 weeks – Required Glucose Screening. Following a sugary drink, your blood sugar level is measured to check for a condition of pregnancy called gestational diabetes. If gestational diabetes is present, special efforts will be necessary to keep your blood sugar at a normal level. This can often be done with dietary restrictions but may, at times, require you to take insulin. In the vast majority of cases, gestational diabetes goes away following delivery, although women who develop diabetes during pregnancy should be monitored later in life for the development of diabetes.
6. 28 weeks – If you are Rh negative, a follow-up Antibody Screen will be performed. Along with this screening, you will have an injection of Rhophylac to prevent antibody formation.
7. 28 weeks – CBC. This test checks for evidence of anemia in your blood.
8. 36 weeks – GBS Screening. This is a cervical culture of the vagina that tests for the presence of a strep B. If present, you will be treated during labor to prevent infection of the baby during birth.