Common Lab Tests
Sonogram/Ultrasound
Sonogram, also known as an ultrasound, is a computerized picture taken by bouncing sound waves off organs and other interior body parts. A wand called a transducer is glided along the outside of the body over a centralized area or organ. As it glides, it introduces sound waves into the body. These sound waves bounce off the intended area and back into the transducer, which feeds the information into a computer. The picture then appears on a special computer screen. The sonogram is most often used to monitor a pregnancy.
Why use a Sonogram?
It’s completely safe because the sonogram uses sound waves and not radiation. In addition, a sonogram can offer details X-rays can’t. It’s painless and in just about every case, the person receiving the sonogram will not be inconvenienced or made to feel uncomfortable in any way. Even more important, the sonogram is safe for the unborn child. Thanks to a sonogram, doctors can discover a tubal pregnancy early and take the proper measures to ensure the mother’s safety. A sonogram can also detect a multiple pregnancy, giving the doctor as well as the parents enough time to prepare. Birth defects can now be discovered early. Thanks to the sonogram, parents can even learn the gender of their unborn child months before the baby is due! Many parents appreciate knowing their baby’s gender ahead of time; many others choose to wait until delivery.
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1st Trimester Screening
First Trimester Screening is an earlier non-invasive way for women to screen for Down Syndrome during pregnancy. Through the combination of a special ultrasound examination and a simple blood test, First Trimester Screening identifies pregnancies that have an increased risk of having a baby with certain chromosome abnormalities, such as Down Syndrome, during the first trimester of pregnancy.
Why use 1st Trimester Screening?
- It allows for earlier detection of an increased risk for Down Syndrome and other chromosome abnormalities.
- If the screening test indicates an increased risk, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) can be performed in the first trimester of pregnancy to determine if the baby has a chromosome problem.
- If the screening test does not indicate an increased risk, this allows some reassurance to the parents.
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Initial Prenatal
Prenatal tests can help identify health problems that could endanger both you and your unborn child, some of which are treatable. During your first visit to your health care provider for prenatal care, you can expect to have a full physical, which may include a pelvic and rectal examination, and you’ll undergo certain tests regardless of your age or genetic background.
Why are Prenatal Tests performed?
Prenatal tests can identify several different things:
- Treatable health problems in the mother that can affect the baby’s health
- Characteristics of the baby, including size, sex, age, and placement in the uterus
- The chance that a baby has certain congenital, genetic, or chromosomal problems
- Certain types of fetal abnormalities, including some heart problems
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Glucose Testing
There are several tests intended to identify gestational diabetes in pregnant women. The first, called the Glucose Challenge Screening, is a preliminary screening test performed between 26-28 weeks. If a woman tests positive during this screening test, the second test, called the Glucose Tolerance Test, may be performed. This test will diagnose whether diabetes exists or not by indicating whether or not the body is using glucose (a type of sugar) effectively.
Why have a Glucose Challenge Screening Test
Gluose sceening tests require no preparation prior to the test. During the test, the mother is asked to drink a sweet liquid (glucose) and then will have blood drawn one hour from having the drink, as blood glucose levels normally peak within one hour. The test evaluates how your body processes sugar. A high level in your blood may indicate that your body is not processing sugar effectively (positive test). If the results of this screen are positive, the woman may have the Glucose Tolerance Test performed.
Glucose tolerance test measures your baseline “fasting blood glucose level”. You will be asked to drink a larger volume (or more concentrated solution) of the glucose drink than was used in the initial Glucose Challenge Screening test. Your blood will be drawn and tested every hour for the next three hours.
Learn more about Glucose Screening Tests