Prenatal Laboratory Testing

Routine screening laboratory tests include:

First Trimester

• Hepatitis B
• HIV - This test is recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.  You will be asked to sign a consent form which gives us permission to draw the HIV or refusal of the test.  Your HIV results are confidential.

• RPR (Reactive Plasma Reagent) - This test screens for syphilis and is mandated by law.
• Rubella (German Measles immunity)
• Blood Type and Screen - This tests your blood type and antibody status.  If you are Rh negative, your partner’s blood type becomes important.  If he is Rh positive, you will need Rhogam to prevent Rh incompatability. Rhogam is administered as an injection after amniocentesis, at 28 weeks of your pregnancy and after delivery if the baby is Rh positive.
• CBC (Complete Blood Count)
• Varicella (Chicken Pox immunity)
• TSH (hypothyroidism)
• Urinalysis

Second Trimester

• Nuchal translucency screen and laboratory testing (11-14 weeks gestation) – a non-invasive assessment of the baby’s risk for Down’s syndrome. The test includes both an ultrasound and blood work. More info is located on page x.
• AFP (15-20 weeks gestation) The Expanded Alpha Fetal Protein blood test can detect some chromosomal or neural tube defects in the fetus.  Please read the booklet given to you at your first visit to learn more about the test.  You will be asked to sign a consent stating your desire to take or decline the test. More information is located on page 24.
• Genetic counseling, Level II ultrasound and genetic amniocentesis (15-20 weeks gestation)

If you are over 35 or have a history of a genetic problem we recommend genetic counseling and a Level II ultrasound. Risks and benefits of an amniocentesis will be discussed with the genetic counselor prior to the ultrasound. More information is located on page 29.

• Ultrasound

If your physician recommends an ultrasound, these are usually performed between 16-20 weeks of your pregnancy.  You should schedule this with the receptionist.

• Glucola (between 24-28 weeks) and another CBC

You will be asked to take the one-hour glucola test between 24 and 28 weeks of your pregnancy.  It is a screening test for gestational diabetes.  As a screening test, it is used to determine which patients are at risk for gestational diabetes and need the 3-hour glucose tolerance test.  For more information, please refer to the second trimester information.

 Additional tests

• Toxoplasmosis
• Antibody screen (if you are Rh negative: between 24-28 weeks)
• Cystic fibrosis testing
• Tay-Sachs and Gaucher’s disease screening
• Sickle cell
• Varicella (Chicken Pox)