Tests for Birth Defects While Pregnant

At your first visit to the doctor, you will have a blood test taken; a urine test and your blood pressure will be checked. These tests will be given throughout your pregnancy to ensure that you and your baby are healthy.

These first tests will be checked for the following:

• Hepatitis B
• Syphilis
• Other sexually transmitted diseases
• AIDS or HIV
• Test to see if you are immune to rubella and chickenpox
• Anemia
• Check your blood type
• Urinary tract infection or any bacteria in the urine
• Sugar in the urine – could be a sign of diabetes
• Protein in the urine – Could be a sign of infection.
• Cystic fibrosis

All of the above will be looked for in your urine and your blood. Any of these problems can harm you or your baby and your doctor will have to decide what is best for you to ensure that you baby is healthy.

If you are anemic, chances are you can take extra iron, if you have an infection you can take antibiotics. The most important thing to remember is that even an infection may cause your baby to be born with birth defects, so you should listen to your doctor and take care of yourself to ensure the well-being of your baby.

At every visit from now on, your doctor will check your urine for the same signs of sugar, protein or other infections. He will also check your blood pressure each and every time.

Your abdomen will be measured and once the baby's heartbeat can be heard, he will listen to the heartbeat. Both of these measures how well your baby is doing and if he is growing properly.

An ultrasound can be done to ensure that the baby is developing properly. An ultrasound uses sound waves to show a picture of your baby on a screen. You can also learn the sex of your baby if you have one after the sex organs are developed and he is lying in the correct position. An ultrasound can show the progress of the baby and how many weeks he is by his size. This can be great for showing if he is developing correctly.

Amniocentesis is another test that can be given, if needed. It is only given when a baby has an increased risk of certain problems. This test can also let the doctor know if the baby's lungs are fully developed in case of early labor.