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Common Prenatal Tests and Diagnostics

Various screenings and diagnostics are usually performed during pregnancy. These
screenings, tests, and diagnostics serve a number of purposes. They include enabling timely
medical interventions either during or after birth in case the child is found to have some
medical condition requiring intervention and allowing parents to psychologically and
financially prepare for children with various medical conditions to manage after birth (Carlson
& Vora, 2017). This paper looks at the various prenatal tests and diagnostics, the purpose of
the tests, the period during pregnancy that they are done, and what is done when a fetus is
found to have a given medical condition.

First Trimester Testing and Diagnostics

Tests and diagnostics conducted during this period begin from around the tenth week
of pregnancy and end on the fourteenth week. The most common tests and diagnostics that are
done during this period are ultrasound, early blood tests, and chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
(Harraway, 2017).
Ultrasound involves use of sound waves to get the fetus’ image. The image can then be
used to determine whether the fetus is at a high risk of developing genetic disorders such as
Down syndrome (Harraway, 2017).
In addition to ultrasound, early blood tests are also conducted during this period. Blood
tests are used to determine genetic abnormalities of the baby and whether the mother has been
immunized against medical conditions, such as anemia, HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis
(Harraway, 2017). Blood tests are also done to determine the blood type of the child and Rh
factor compatibility between the mother and the baby (Harraway, 2017).

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Apart from blood tests and ultrasound, chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is another
common test that is done during the first trimester. This test involves taking a small placenta
tissue which is then used to test for genetic disorders such as cystic fibrosis and chromosomal
abnormalities, such as Down syndrome (Liehr et al., 2017).
These tests and diagnostics often do not reveal whether a fetus has a given medical
problem. They only reveal the likelihood of the baby developing various medical conditions.
Further tests can then be done later to determine whether the fetus has a given condition or
not. There are, however, other tests that lead to immediate action. For instance, when the
mother is found to be Rhesus negative and the fetus Rhesus positive, the mothers are usually
given shots to prevent the incompatibility from adversely affecting the fetus.
Second Trimester Testing and Diagnostics

Second trimester tests and diagnostics are usually done between the fourteenth and
eighteenth week of pregnancy. Like in first trimester, ultrasound and blood tests are also often
conducted during this stage. Other common tests conducted during the second trimester are
glucose tests and amniocentesis.
The purpose of ultrasound test that is conducted during the second trimester is the
same as the one that is done during the first semester. The ultrasound done during this period,
however, is usually more detailed. As for blood tests, they are done to determine medical
conditions, such as abdominal abnormalities, neural tube defects, and Down syndrome
(Harraway, 2017). The glucose test is used to determine whether the mother has gestational
diabetes and, therefore, if they may require to deliver through caesarian section. Lastly,
amniocentesis is performed on the mother’s amniotic fluid and is used to test for various
abnormal disorders, such as spina bifida and Down syndrome (Harraway, 2017).

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Third Trimester Testing and Diagnostics

Compared to the first and second trimesters, there are relatively few tests conducted in
the third trimester (the period between the eighteen and twenty two weeks after pregnancy).
The most common test that is done during this trimester is Group B Streptococcus testing.
Group B Streptococcus is a bacteria which infects not just pregnant women but also newly
born babies (Liehr et al., 2017). When the woman is found to have the condition, they are
usually treated with antibiotics.

Conclusion

Prenatal tests are exceedingly important for the healthy development of the fetus. The
tests and diagnostics help healthcare professionals and parents to identify medical conditions
which can be managed through various intervention measures.

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References

Carlson, L. M., & Vora, N. L. (2017). Prenatal diagnosis: Screening and diagnostic
tools. Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics, 44(2), 245-256.
Harraway, J. (2017). Non-invasive prenatal testing. Australian family physician, 46(10), 735.
Liehr, T., Lauten, A., Schneider, U., Schleussner, E., & Weise, A. (2017). Noninvasive Prenatal
Testing-When Is It Advantageous to Apply. Biomedicine Hub, 2(1), 1-11.