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Common Investigations during Pregnancy at various times

    First trimester:
  • At your first antenatal checkup in addition to a physical examination your doctor will get a few routine tests done. These will include urine and blood tests and an Ultrasound scan.

    Physical examination:
    1. Blood pressure
    2. Height and weight

    Urine test:
    1. Routine urine examination and microscopy
    2. Includes test for sugar and protein in the urine

    Blood tests:
    1. Complete blood count
    2. Includes Hemoglobin, Red blood cell counts to rule out anemia
    3. Blood type and Rh type testing( A,B,AB,O AND Rh+ve or Rh-ve need to be determined)
    4. HIV/Hepatitis B tests
    5. Syphilis(by VDRL test)
    6. Pap smear

    If you have a high risk of developing diabetes you may need other special tests like the GTT (Glucose Tolerance Test). If you have a strong family history of diabetes you should talk to your treating doctor about it.

    The serology for TORCHES is done based on the history, risk factors and physical examination by the treating doctor.

    Ultrasound scans:
  • This will determine how well your baby is growing and if you have more than one baby. It is also the most reliable in determining the EDD when done in the first trimester (ideally at around the 10th week of pregnancy).


    Second and Third Trimester:
  • During this trimester your doctor will monitor your weight gain and also the baby's growth by ultrasound. Blood tests may be done only if deemed necessary or if you have any specific problems.
  1. Regular BP check up
  2. Weight gain monitoring
  3. Blood Glucose around 24th week of Pregnancy as is the time to detect Gestational Diabetes
  4. Urine Culture at 28th week
  5. Urine routine examination including for sugar and protein.
  6. Ultrasound as anomaly Scan at 18 to 20 weeks and subsequently final scan at 28 to 32 weeks.

There are few more investigations that are not routine but based on the conditions and the risk factors such as Chorionic Villous Sampling done at 10 to 12 weeks, Amniocentesis done around 18 weeks.


Related Links :

Common Problems
Common Worries
Complications During Pregnancy
Prenatal Care During Pregnancy

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