Routine Testing

During your pregnancy, there will be several routine tests done to assess the health of you and your baby:

FIRST VISIT

• Standard blood pregnancy profile
• Pap smear
• Cultures at your first visit

THIRD TRIMESTER

• Blood tests for diabetes and anemia

35-37 WEEKS

• A vaginal culture for Group B beta strep

OPTIONAL TESTS/SCREENINGS

• Cystic Fibrosis carrier status screening
• Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) carrier screening
• Ashkenazi Jew (Tay-Sachs and other disorders more common in this group of individuals)
• NON-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) – Cell Free DNA
• Learn More About Carrier Screening and Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing  >> 
• Amniocentesis will be offered as needed for women 35 or over or for any woman who has other risk factors for genetic abnormalities.
• Learn More About These Optional Tests >> 

ULTRASOUND

• We offer everyone a routine screening ultrasound at 20-22 weeks.
• This test is not always covered by insurance. Please check with your plan.

We encourage you to take care of yourself during the pregnancy; that means a balanced diet, regular exercise and an average weight gain of 20-35 lbs. for women with an ideal pre-pregnancy weight. It also means no smoking or illegal drug use. No alcohol intake is the safest advice. If you have problems in any of these areas, we are happy to help you.