The primary task of a woman who finds out about her pregnancy should be contacting a gynecologist. This is necessary in order for the doctor to register the pregnant woman. It is recommended to register up to 12 weeks. In the future, the gynecologist will prescribe the pregnant woman all the necessary tests and examinations. A bypass sheet will be issued in which it will be written in detail about which pregnant women should be tested and which specialists should be visited. In the future, the gynecologist will refer the woman to subsequent studies.
What tests do pregnant women take when registering?
Every woman sooner or later thinks about the birth of a child. And so she found out that she was pregnant. What tests to take? Which doctor is best to go to? She begins to ask these and many other questions to her close people and herself.
In fact, analyzes for registration for all women and in all hospitals are standard. In addition to examination at the first visit, the doctor also interviews the woman. This makes it possible to learn in detail about the well-being of the pregnant woman and, if necessary, assign her additional tests.
After the first visit to the gynecologist, the pregnant woman passes the first tests. Which of the many tests should be passed, the doctor tells her, and prescribes for each direction. From this moment, a woman begins the period of strict observance of all the requirements and appointments of a specialist.
First of all, during the first visit, a visual examination of the pregnant woman is carried out. Its initial body weight is measured, the body mass index is calculated, the mammary glands are examined and the degree of hair growth is assessed. This allows the doctor to assess the condition of the woman and calculate the prognosis for weight gain. Depending on the amount and density of hair on the body of a pregnant woman, the doctor makes a conclusion about the level of her hormonal background. The specialist will measure weight and examine the chest throughout pregnancy.
After the examination, the gynecologist takes a smear from the pregnant woman and sends it for a cytological examination. The need for this analysis is to exclude the presence of inflammatory processes that may occur due to urogenital infections, erosion, or the formation of malignant cells.
Also, after the first visit to the gynecologist, a pregnant woman should donate blood to determine her group and Rh factor. This analysis will help determine the likelihood of a Rhesus conflict between mother and baby. In addition, knowing the blood type of the pregnant woman, doctors will be able to quickly provide her with emergency care for blood loss by transfusion of donated blood. In the event that the woman has a Rhesus factor negative and the husband has a positive one, the expectant mother will be regularly tested for Rh antibodies.
Blood donation after the first visit to the gynecologist provides for:
- general blood test;
- blood glucose test;
- biochemical blood test;
- blood test for toxoplasmosis;
- blood test for RW (Wasserman reaction), for HIV, hepatitis B and C;
- coagulogram (analysis of the blood coagulation system);
- blood test for ferritin.
In order to exclude the presence of worms in the body of a pregnant woman, a stool analysis is performed. Also, feces are examined to evaluate the digestion processes, the digestive tract and to identify inflammatory processes in the colon and rectum of a woman.
The study of the heart rhythm of a pregnant woman and the diagnosis of malfunctions in the heart is done by conducting an electrocardiogram.
To exclude diseases transmitted during sexual contact, a pregnant woman is examined for infections that are sexually transmitted. This examination can be carried out both in the hospital at the place of registration, and in the skin dispensary.
Also, a pregnant woman will need to pass a general urine test for protein.
Regular examinations of the pregnant
What tests to pass to a pregnant woman with every visit to a gynecologist? He is only one - this is a urinalysis. But the examinations that a woman should undergo in a position at every turn to the doctor are a whole list.
First of all, every visit to the gynecologist begins with a measurement of blood pressure, as well as pulse. Thus, the doctor monitors the condition of the woman and in case of any deviations from the norm will be able to schedule an additional examination in time.
In addition, the body weight of the expectant mother is regularly measured. Exceeding weight standards may indicate the presence of edema, and lowering - a strong toxicosis, which can threaten the child with a deficiency of the elements necessary for the development.
Also, a specialist at each appointment measures the size of the pelvis, abdominal circumference and the height of the bottom of the uterus. Thanks to these indicators, the growth rate of the uterus and the child is estimated.
After 27 weeks of pregnancy, a woman at each appointment should undergo cardiotocography, which measures the heartbeat of a child and captures the movement of the fetus. And from the 32nd week, at each visit to the doctor, a non-stress test will be carried out that will determine how active the fetus is.
Urine tests
Starting from the moment of registration and until the very birth, a woman needs to take a urine test during each visit to the gynecologist. The answer to the question: "What urine test to pass to a pregnant woman?" presented above. It is necessary to regularly pass urine for a general analysis. This will enable the specialist to evaluate how the kidneys function and detect protein in the urine. A constant increased level of protein in the urine may become a reason for hospitalization of a pregnant woman.
In addition, if necessary, the gynecologist can prescribe a referral for bacteriological examination of urine.
Blood tests
Many expectant mothers are concerned about the question of what blood tests are given to pregnant women during gestation. In addition to the fact that when registering, she donates blood for a number of tests, for 9 months she will need to repeat them. The table shows all the blood tests that the expectant mother will need to pass (with the exception of those that were taken during registration):
p / p | Analysis Name | Time spending | Reason for |
one. | General analysis | 18, 28, 34 weeks | Identification of possible anemia, allergies and inflammatory processes |
2. | Glucose test | 22nd week | Identify a predisposition to diabetes |
3. | Biochemical analysis | 20th week | Diagnosis of the state of internal organs, metabolism, study of enzymes and microelements of the body |
4. | Toxoplasmosis test | 20th week | Identification of a possible disease of toxoplasmosis |
5. | Wasserman reaction, HIV, hepatitis B and C | 28, 36 weeks | Exclusion of syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis |
6. | Coagulogram | 18, 28, 34 weeks | Determination of blood coagulation |
7. | Ferritin Assay | 30th week (according to indications) | Identification of possible anemia and elevated levels of ferritins, indicating the presence of renal failure |
eight. | D-dimers | 30th, 38th week | Identification of blood clot risk |
9. | Glucose tolerance test | Week 26-28 (according to individual indications) | Diagnosis of latent diabetes |
Related Studies
In addition to the above analyzes and studies, a pregnant woman goes through many more. What tests to pass to a pregnant woman, and which ones are not necessary, is decided by the gynecologist leading the expectant mother. However, there are also mandatory activities, these include:
- Bimanual research. It is carried out at the 17th, 30th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. In his process, the doctor feels the uterus, determines its size and, if available, reveals tumors.
- Smear from the urethra. It is carried out at the 26th and 36th weeks to study the microflora and identify possible inflammation of the vagina.
- Ultrasound It must be carried out every two months. The time is prescribed by the gynecologist, based on the studies. During ultrasound, abnormalities or defects of the fetus are diagnosed, the period is specified, the overall development is assessed, its parameters are measured, the state of the placenta is examined.
- Dopplerometry. If the future mother has dubious results of a non-stress test and cardiotocography, she is sent to study the fetal blood flow velocity.
For women at risk, the doctor may prescribe additional studies. If during pregnancy no abnormalities are found, a woman visits the doctor once a month in the first trimester, twice a month in the next trimester, and weekly visits in the last trimester.
Basic rules for taking tests
Regardless of what tests a pregnant woman does, for the correctness of their results, she must adhere to certain rules:
- Blood sampling is carried out in the morning, before it is strictly forbidden to eat.
- Blood for biochemical analysis is donated in the same way as general blood, however, at least 8 hours should pass from the moment of eating.
- Urine is collected in a sterile jar for analysis. Before collection, it is necessary to wash the external genitals without using any disinfectants.
- It is recommended to take a smear for analysis no earlier than 30-36 hours after sexual contact and 2-3 hours after visiting the toilet. In order for the study to be more accurate, it is not necessary to wash the external genital organs.
- For stool analysis, fresh bowel movements should be used and part of them in a sterile jar. It should be taken on the day of the fence.
A doctor should tell you how to take tests for a pregnant woman.
Decryption of urine tests
During the analysis of urine, specialists measure the following indicators:
- white blood cell count;
- amount of protein;
- the presence of ketone bodies;
- sugar level;
- number of bacteria;
- Flora.
White blood cell count
Normal is the number of leukocytes from 0 to 3-6 in the field of view. An elevated white blood cell count may indicate inflammation in the kidneys, bladder, and urethra. In the presence of minor inflammation, their number may increase by 1.5 times, but if they are 2-3 times more than normal, this indicates a serious illness, for example pyelonephritis. Pregnant women are most often affected by this disease. The reason for this is infection in the kidneys against the background of squeezing them with an expanding uterus. Sometimes a slight increase in the level of leukocytes indicates that a thorough toilet was not carried out before collecting urine for analysis.
Protein
The norm of urine analysis indicators does not provide for the presence of protein in it. However, it is acceptable to have 0.033 g / l, and when using very sensitive equipment, 0.14 g / l.
Often, protein can appear due to stress or stress. Also, the development of pyelonephritis, proteinuria and late toxicosis can lead to the presence of protein in the urine of a pregnant woman.
The presence of ketone bodies
Ketone bodies are substances with high toxicity that can appear in the urine of a pregnant woman with certain diseases. In the first trimester, they may be present in the analysis due to early toxicosis. If before a woman became pregnant, she was diagnosed with diabetes, then ketone bodies may indicate the onset of exacerbation.
What tests to pass to a pregnant woman to determine the causes of ketone bodies in the urine, the doctor determines, based on the clinical picture.
Glucose level
It has already been mentioned above what tests you need to take to pregnant women to determine the level of sugar in the urine.
The slight presence of sugar in the analysis of the expectant mother poses no threat. It is believed that the mother’s body begins to produce more glucose to fully support the child.
However, if the sugar level in the urine test is high, it may be a sign that the woman is developing diabetes in pregnant women. In order to clarify the diagnosis, the doctor prescribes a blood test for glucose and a glucose tolerance test.
The presence of bacteria
If bacteria are found in the urine of a pregnant woman, but the level of leukocytes is not elevated, then we can say that she developed cystitis. In cases where a woman has no complaints, this condition is called asymptomatic bacteriuria.
When the presence of bacteria is accompanied by an increase in the level of white blood cells, the most common cause is a kidney infection.
Sowing on the flora
If there is bacteria in the pregnant woman’s urine, the doctor often prescribes the delivery of urine culture to determine the sensitivity to antibiotics.
Thanks to this analysis, you can find out the type of bacteria and their sensitivity to medications. As a result of such a study, a specialist will be able to prescribe an effective medicine that will lead to a quick recovery.
Decryption of the general blood test
During a blood test, specialists determine:
- Hemoglobin level (normal - 120-150 g / l). With a decrease in the level, iron deficiency anemia, hyperhydration (blood thinning) develops. Increased hemoglobin develops due to smoking, dehydration and erythremia.
- White blood cell count. Normally, the white blood cell count does not exceed 4-9 x 10 9 / liter. An increase in the level indicates the presence of an infection in the body, purulent or inflammatory process, tissue injury and malignancy. However, a high white blood cell count in the last trimester and during lactation is the norm.
- The level of red blood cells. The number of red blood cells in the range of 3.5-4.5 x 10 12 / liter is considered normal. The reason for the increase in the level of red blood cells (erythrocytosis) may be the development of a malignant neoplasm, Cushing's disease, treatment with drugs containing corticosteroids. Reducing the level of red blood cells occurs against the background of anemia, blood loss, treatment with diuretic drugs, etc.
- Platelet count. Normally, the blood of a pregnant woman should contain 150-380 x 10 9 / l. If their number decreases, then this indicates a violation of the ability of blood to coagulate. The result can be severe bleeding during labor.
What tests a pregnant woman should pass when deviating from the above indicators, the specialist decides and writes out the appropriate direction.
Biochemical analysis
During a biochemical blood test of a pregnant woman, the following indicators are examined in the laboratory:
- amount of protein;
- level of lipid metabolism;
- glucose level;
- amount of enzymes;
- the presence of bilirubin;
- provision with microelements.
After studying the results of the study, the doctor informs their expectant mother and, if necessary, explains what tests should be passed to the pregnant woman to clarify the diagnosis.