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○ Iron level
○ Syphilis
○ Hepatitis B
○ Rubella
○ Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test—This test checks for an increased risk

of some types of birth defects in your baby. It is done between 15 to
20 weeks of pregnancy. If the test result is high, more testing will be
done.

○ Rh factor test—This test checks to see if you are Rh positive or

negative.

○

HIV—All women should consider getting a blood test to check for
HIV. Mothers can pass this infection to their babies during
pregnancy, labor and breastfeeding. Test results are confidential.

○

Sickle cell anemia

─ Ultrasound

You will have at least 1 ultrasound during your pregnancy. Your doctor
may want to do more ultrasounds to check your baby’s growth or
condition.

─ Amniocentesis

This test checks for genetic diseases and is often done between 15 and
18 weeks of pregnancy. The doctor puts a needle through the woman’s
abdomen to remove a small amount of amniotic fluid. The fluid is sent
to a lab for testing.

─ Glucose tolerance test (GTT)

Between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, you will be tested for high
blood sugar in pregnancy, called gestational diabetes. You will be
given a sweet soda to drink and then samples of your blood will be
taken.

─ Non-stress test

This test records your baby’s heart rate on a special machine. This test
is painless and involves putting patches on your abdomen.

At anytime during your pregnancy, call your doctor right away if:

• Your membranes or bag of water break or leak.

• You have any vaginal bleeding.

• You have cramping or contractions that occur more than 4-6 times in an

hour.

4/2006. Developed through a partnership of The Ohio State University Medical Center, Mount Carmel
Health and OhioHealth, Columbus, Ohio. Available for use as a public service without copyright restrictions
at www.healthinfotranslations.com.