What tests are needed In my pregnancy?

Pathology Tests

In early pregnancy (usually following the first visit) tests are arranged to check for anaemia (full blood count and iron studies), thyroid function,  iodine level, blood group, red cell antibodies, German measles immunity, chicken pox immunity, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, syphilis and HIV. If these tests have already been done by your general practitioner can you please bring a copy of the results. I will give you a referral to Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology for these tests. Douglass Hanly Moir Pathology has collection rooms all over Sydney including in both the Hornsby and Castle Hill complexes where our offices are located. you also may need a Pap smear.

Blood tests in later pregnancy are taken to check for anaemia, antibodies (if your blood group is Rhesus negative) and diabetes. If you have Rh negative blood group you will be offered prophylaxis Anti-D injections twice in your pregnancy. There is also a swab check for Group B Streptococcus.

Other tests may be necessary because of special considerations. If you are aware of any health issues, past medical problems (personal or in the family) that may have an impact on your pregnancy, please inform us.

Ultrasound Scans

Between 12-13 weeks a nuchal translucency ultrasound scan is offered to check the risk of Down syndrome and other major chromosomal abnormalities in your baby. A blood test is also offered to increase the accuracy of the screening. The screening will identify over 80% of Down syndrome and 70-75% of other major chromosomal abnormalities. If the result is positive, foetal chromosomal studies would be recommended to check. If you decide not to have this particular scan, we would recommend an early ultrasound scan at about 10 weeks to check dating, twins and other factors that could complicate your pregnancy.

At 18 -20 weeks a foetal morphology ultrasound scan is recommended to exclude foetal abnormalities and other problems that could complicate your pregnancy. 

At 37 weeks a foetal  growth and well being ultrasound scan is sometimes done to check your baby's size, position and wellbeing and so reduce the risks of labour. There may be situations that require scans at other times. These include a twin pregnancy, bleeding in pregnancy, concerns about the size or position of your baby. I will give you a referral to the San Ultrasound for Women for Sydney Adventist Hospital bookings or The Hills Ultrasound for Women for The NorWest Private Hospital bookings.

At each antenatal visit

We will give you a container so you can bring a urine specimen each visit. It will be checked for protein (a screening test for preeclampsia, urinary infections and more) and sugar (a screening test for diabetes). I have had a number of patients where the first sign of preeclampsia is protein in the urine, and this has been apparent with a normal range blood pressure. Urinary infection can be without the typical symptoms (asymptomatic). Regular urine checking for sugar diabetes with a blood screen at 28 weeks is more reliable in diagnosing diabetes in pregnancy than a single diabetes blood screen at 28 weeks as diabetes can have its onset before and 28 weeks and the one time blood test can be too late or miss later onset gestational diabetes.