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Routine Prenatal Care

Routine Prenatal Care

Our Approach

INITIAL BLOODWORK

  1. CBC:  complete blood count.  This test will let us know if you are anemic or have any other deficiencies in your blood.
  2. Type and Rh:  This test is to determine your blood type and Rh factor (e.g. A+, O-)
  3. Antibody Screen:  This test is to screen for abnormal antibodies in the blood.
  4. RPR:  This test screens for syphilis.
  5. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen:  This test screens for Hepatitis B.
  6. Rubella:  This test screens for immunity to the German measles.
  7. HIV:  This test screens for HIV (needs signed permit).
  8. TSH:  This test screens for thyroid dysfunction.
  9. Urine Culture:  This test screens for urinary tract/bladder infections.

Our Story

INITIAL VAGINAL/CERVICAL CULTURES (done with your pelvic exam):

  1. Pap Smear:  This test screens for cervical cancer.
  2. Gonorrhea Culture:  This culture tests for gonorrhea.
  3. Chlamydia Culture:  This culture tests for Chlamydia.
  4. Vaginitis Panel.

ULTRASOUND

  1. An ultrasound is routinely ordered in this practice between 18-20 weeks gestation to check fetal viability (fetal anatomy, placentation, etc.) and to confirm gestational age.
  2. An ultrasound may be ordered at an earlier gestational age if the last menstrual period (LMP) is uncertain, if there are early complications in the pregnancy (such as severe hyperemesis, bleeding, etc.), or at the discretion of the physician.
  3. Ultrasounds later in pregnancy are ordered for obstetric reasons (e.g. complications of pregnancy such as abnormal fundal height for gestational age, multiple gestation, pregnancy-induced hypertension, history of stillbirth, etc.)

BLOOD WORK BETWEEN 16-20 WEEKS (optional)

  1. Quad Screen:  serum blood test measuring levels of Maternal Serum Alpha-Fetoprotein (MSAFP), b-HCG, Estriol, and Inhibin. This test screens for neural tube defects (e.g. spina bifida, anencephaly, etc.), Down’s syndrome, and other chromosomal and placental concerns.

BLOOD WORK BETWEEN 24-28 WEEKS

  1. CBC:  This test is repeated to check for physiologic anemia of pregnancy.
  2. One-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test:  This test screens for Gestational Diabetes.
  3. If your Rh-status is negative, you will receive a dose of Rhogam by injection in order to help prevent your body from making antibodies that may attack Rh-positive fetal blood cells.

GENITAL CULTURE BETWEEN 35-36 WEEKS:

  1. Group B Strep Culture:  culture from a swab of the vagina and rectum.  This organism is carried by some women, and is just part of the normal flora of their perineum.  It is NOT considered an infection.  However, it can cause some respiratory problems in the baby.  If you are a carrier of Group B Strep (GBS-positive), we will treat you in labor with antibiotics.  This will decrease the baby’s chances of respiratory problems.

Note: Patients will not be seen until all ordered labs have been completed. Patients who fail to comply with treatment are subject to discharge from practice.

*****OTHER BLOODWORK AND CULTURES MAY BE NECESSARY*****

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