Tests in pregnancy

Common test in pregnancy include blood and urine test, scans and Blood pressure checks.

What are they for and how are they done?

Blood pressure

The average blood pressure for adult women is around 110/70. Your blood pressure could be classed as high if it is above 130/90. In these cases your blood pressure will be monitored very closely throughout your pregnancy. At the other end of the scale low blood pressure is anything below 90/60 and having low blood pressure could cause you to feel dizzy.

 Urine tests

Urine tests are used to measure a number of different things:

a. Protein, If protein is present in your urine it could mean that you have a urinary tract infection it could also be a sign of pre ecclampsia if it is accompanied by raised blood pressure.

b. Glucose, If glucose is repeatedly found in urine samples it could be a sign of gestational diabetes.

c. Ketones, These could indicate that you are not getting the nourishment you need (for example if you have severe pregnancy sickness). It could also be a sign of gestational diabetes. d. Blood. This could indicate a urinary tract infection or rarely a problem with your kidneys.

Ultrasound scans

You will probably have at least one scan during your pregnancy. These scans will check your baby's development as weel as the blood flow between you and your baby. If there is a concern about your pregnancy you may be affered a scan at six weeks. Most hospitals offer a scan at around twleve weeks to check for mulitples and to check the pregnancy is developing well. The second scan will probably be around twenty weeks and will be a more detailed check of your baby's organs and growth. Scans later in pregnancy are normally only performed if there is a concern about your baby's health or if it is unclear how your baby is lying.

Blood tests

As with urine tests there is a wide range of possible test on blood.The most common include.

a. Blood group

b. Rhesus factor c.Heamoglobin levels: if your levels are low you could be aneamic d.Tay sachs disease. If you test positive your partner will be tested, if you are both positive you will be offered further testing.

Downs syndrome testing

Downs syndrome is a chromosonal abnormality which has a severe effect on a baby's mental and physical development. Its occurance is relativly rare although your chances of having a baby with downs syndrome increase with certain factors such as maternal age.

You will be offered a blood test to help asses your risk of having a baby with downs syndrome. If this risk is high then you will be offered further testing. It is possible for downs syndrome to be recognised on early ultrasound scans (at 12 weeks).