Blood pressure: Blood pressure will be measured at each visit and is slightly lower during pregnancy that is about 120/70. An elevation of over 140/90 may warn of pre-eclampsia or toxaemia, which is a serious complication. You may have to be treated or just rest in bed.
Blood Sugar:Blood sugar screening is a must in the beginning, at 20 weeks and 30 weeks, specially if there is a history of diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity.
Urine analysis Your urine will be checked at each visit for glucose (indicating diabetes), protein (which might signal toxaemia that needs treatment), white blood corpuscles (could be kidney or urinary problem), red blood corpuscles (a kidney problem), ketones (lack of nutrition) Your doctor may suggest additional tests.
Ultrasound scans are a quick, painless and harmless ways of visualising the foetus. You have to drink several glasses of water after which a radiologist passes a probe over your abdomen. The probe receives high frequency sound waves that bounce off the foetus and are translated into images on a screen. The doctor can see the position, growth and movement of the foetus, whether there are more than one foetus, whether the placenta is growing well and the blood flow is adequate. You usually need two or three sonographies - one within the first 8 weeks, one around 18 to 24 weeks, and the last, if necessary, at the end.
An ultrasound scan should not be used to determine the sex of the child.
The Alpha Feto Protein test: It shows major malformation in the baby, especially in the spinal cord, more clearly.
The Doppler Non Stress Test is used after 30 weeks only in special cases to check the adequacy of the placenta and to see if the baby is adequately nourished. The baby's heartbeat is measured. If it shows an increase following foetal movements or uterine contractions, then it is normal; a distressed baby shows a fall.
The Colour Doppler studies the blood flow in the foetus using colour codes for the arteries and veins. This is necessary only in complicated pregnancies, if the mother is diabetic, hypertensive or the Doppler Non Stress Test shows a problem.
Thalassemia trait test is recommended for Sindhis and Kutchis who are high-risk communities. If both would-be parents carry the trait in a minor form, there is a 75% chance that they may bear a thalassemic major baby, and need foetal testing and counselling.
Vaginal culture: Fluids obtained from the vagina may be tested for gonorrhea, herpes or other infections that might threaten the baby at birth.
G6PD (Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenas) test is administered to Parsis who are usually prone to the condition. It is necessary to know if you carry this trait because you can have severe side effects to certain medications.
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