What type of specimens are used for a pregnancy test?
Your health care provider may recommend a variety of screenings, tests and imaging techniques during your pregnancy. These tests are designed to provide information about the health of your baby and may help you optimize your child’s prenatal care and development. Show
Genetic ScreeningMany genetic abnormalities can be diagnosed before birth. Your doctor or midwife may recommend genetic testing during pregnancy if you or your partner has a family history of genetic disorders. You may also choose to have genetic screening if you have had a fetus or baby with a genetic abnormality. Examples of genetic disorders that can be diagnosed before birth include:
The following screening methods are available during pregnancy:
While some birth defects can be prevented through prenatal care, it's important to know what treatments may exist if your fetus is diagnosed with a birth defect. Learn more First Trimester Prenatal Screening TestsFirst trimester screening is a combination of fetal ultrasound and maternal blood testing. This screening process can help determine the risk of the fetus having certain birth defects. Screening tests may be used alone or with other tests. First trimester screening includes:
When used together as first trimester screening tests, nuchal translucency screening and maternal blood tests have a greater ability to determine if the fetus might have a birth defect, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and trisomy 18. If the results of these first trimester screening tests are abnormal, genetic counseling is recommended. Additional testing, such as chorionic villus sampling, amniocentesis, cell-free fetal DNA or other ultrasounds, may be needed for an accurate diagnosis. Second Trimester Prenatal Screening TestsSecond trimester prenatal screening may include several blood tests called multiple markers. These markers provide information about your potential risk of having a baby with certain genetic conditions or birth defects. Screening is usually done by taking a sample of your blood between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy (16 to 18 weeks is ideal). The multiple markers include:
Abnormal test results of AFP and other markers may mean that additional testing is needed. An ultrasound is used to confirm the milestones of your pregnancy and to check the fetal spine and other body parts for defects. An amniocentesis may be needed for an accurate diagnosis. Since multiple marker screening is not diagnostic, it is not 100 percent accurate. It helps determine who in the population should be offered additional testing during pregnancy. False-positive results may indicate a problem when the fetus is actually healthy. On the other hand, false-negative results indicate a normal result when the fetus actually does have a health problem. When you have both first and second trimester screening tests performed, the ability of the tests to detect an abnormality is greater than using just one screening independently. Most cases of Down syndrome can be detected when both first and second trimester screenings are used. UltrasoundAn ultrasound scan is a diagnostic technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs. A screening ultrasound is sometimes done during the course of your pregnancy to check normal fetal growth and verify the due date. When are ultrasounds performed during pregnancy?Ultrasounds may be done at various times throughout pregnancy for several reasons: First Trimester
Midtrimester (also called the 18- to 20-week scan)
Third Trimester
How is an ultrasound scan performed?Two types of ultrasounds can be performed during pregnancy:
Which ultrasound imaging techniques are available?There are several types of ultrasound imaging techniques. As the most common type, the 2-D ultrasound provides a flat picture of one aspect of the baby. If more information is needed, a 3-D ultrasound exam can be done. This technique, which provides a 3-D picture, requires a special machine and special training. The 3-D image allows the health care provider to see the width, height and depth of the images, which can be helpful during the diagnosis. The 3-D images can also be captured and saved for later review. The latest technology is 4-D ultrasound, which allows the health care provider to visualize the unborn baby moving in real time. With 4-D imaging, a three-dimensional image is continuously updated, providing a “live action” view. These images often have a golden color, which helps show shadows and highlights. Ultrasound images may be captured in still photographs or on video to document findings. What are the risks and benefits of ultrasound imaging?Fetal ultrasound has no known risks other than mild discomfort due to pressure from the transducer on your abdomen or in your vagina. No radiation is used during the procedure. Transvaginal ultrasound requires covering the ultrasound transducer in a plastic or latex sheath, which may cause a reaction in women with a latex allergy. Ultrasound imaging is constantly being improved and refined. As with any test, the results may not be completely accurate. However, an ultrasound can provide valuable information to parents and health care providers, helping them manage and care for the pregnancy and the baby. In addition, ultrasound imaging gives parents a unique opportunity to see their baby before birth, helping them to bond and establish an early relationship. Fetal ultrasound is sometimes offered in nonmedical settings to provide keepsake images or videos for parents. While the ultrasound procedure itself is considered safe, it is possible that untrained personnel may miss an abnormality or give parents false assurances about their baby’s well-being. It is best to have an ultrasound performed by trained medical personnel who can correctly interpret the results. Talk with your doctor or midwife if you have questions. AmniocentesisAn amniocentesis involves taking a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus. It is used to diagnose chromosomal disorders and open neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. Testing is available for other genetic defects and disorders depending on your family history and the availability of lab testing at the time of the procedure. Who is an ideal candidate for amniocentesis?An amniocentesis is generally offered to women between the 15th and 20th week of pregnancy who have an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. Candidates include women who will be over age 35 at the time of delivery or those who have had an abnormal maternal serum screening test. How is an amniocentesis performed?An amniocentesis involves inserting a long, thin needle through your abdomen into the amniotic sac to withdraw a small sample of amniotic fluid. The amniotic fluid contains cells shed by the fetus, which contain genetic information. Although specific details of each procedure may vary, a typical amniocentesis follows this process:
You may feel some cramping during or after the amniocentesis. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 24 hours following the procedure. Women who are pregnant with twins or other higher-order multiples need sampling from each amniotic sac to study each baby. Depending on the position of the baby and placenta, amount of fluid, and woman’s anatomy, sometimes the amniocentesis cannot be done. The fluid is then sent to a genetics lab so that the cells can grow and be analyzed. AFP is also measured to rule out an open neural tube defect. Results are usually available in about 10 days to two weeks, depending on the lab. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)?CVS is a prenatal test that involves taking a sample of some of the placental tissue. This tissue contains the same genetic material as the fetus and can be tested for chromosomal abnormalities and some other genetic problems. Testing is available for other genetic defects and disorders, depending on your family history and the availability of lab testing at the time of the procedure. Unlike amniocentesis, CVS does not provide information on open neural tube defects. Therefore, women who undergo CVS also need a follow-up blood test between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy to screen for these defects. How is CVS performed?CVS may be offered to women with an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities or who have a family history of a genetic defect that is testable from the placental tissue. CVS is usually performed between the 10th and 13th week of pregnancy. Although exact methods may vary, the procedure involves the following steps:
Your doctor may also choose to perform a transabdominal CVS, which involves inserting a needle through your abdomen and into your uterus to sample the placental cells. You may feel some cramping during and after either type of CVS procedure. The tissue samples are sent to a genetic lab for growth and analysis. Results are usually available in about 10 days to two weeks, depending on the lab. What if CVS is not possible?Women with twins or other higher-order multiples usually need sampling from each placenta. However, because of the complexity of the procedure and the positioning of the placentas, CVS is not always feasible or successful with multiples. Women who are not candidates for CVS or who did not get accurate results from the procedure may require a follow-up amniocentesis. An active vaginal infection, such as herpes or gonorrhea, will prohibit the procedure. In other cases, the doctor may take a sample that does not have enough tissue to grow in the lab, generating incomplete or inconclusive results. Fetal MonitoringDuring late pregnancy and labor, your doctor may want to monitor the fetal heart rate and other functions. Fetal heart rate monitoring is a method of checking the rate and rhythm of the fetal heartbeat. The average fetal heart rate is between 120 and 160 beats per minute. This rate may change as the fetus responds to conditions in the uterus. An abnormal fetal heart rate or pattern may mean that the fetus is not getting enough oxygen or indicate other problems. An abnormal pattern also may mean that an emergency cesarean delivery is needed. How is fetal monitoring performed?Using a fetoscope (a type of stethoscope) to listen to the fetal heartbeat is the most basic type of fetal heart rate monitoring. Another type of monitoring is performed with a hand-held Doppler device. This is often used during prenatal visits to count the fetal heart rate. During labor, continuous electronic fetal monitoring is often used. Although the specific details of each procedure may vary, standard electronic fetal monitoring follows this process:
When is internal fetal monitoring needed?On occasion, internal fetal monitoring is needed to provide a more accurate reading of the fetal heart rate. Your bag of waters (amniotic fluid) must be broken and your cervix must be partially dilated to use internal monitoring. Internal fetal monitoring involves inserting an electrode through the dilated cervix and attaching the electrode to the scalp of the fetus. Glucose TestingGlucose testing is used to measure the level of sugar in your blood. A glucose challenge test is usually conducted between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. Abnormal glucose levels may indicate gestational diabetes. What is involved in a glucose challenge test?The initial one-hour test is a glucose challenge test. If the results are abnormal, a glucose tolerance test is needed. How is a glucose tolerance test performed?You may be asked to only drink water on the day the glucose tolerance test is given. Although the specific details of each procedure may vary, a typical glucose tolerance test includes the following steps:
Group B Strep CultureGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria found in the lower genital tract of about 20 percent of all women. While a GBS infection does not usually cause problems in women before pregnancy, it can cause serious illness in mothers during pregnancy. GBS may cause chorioamnionitis (a severe infection of the placental tissues) and postpartum infection. Urinary tract infections caused by GBS can lead to preterm labor and birth or pyelonephritis and sepsis. GBS is the most common cause of life-threatening infections in newborns, including pneumonia and meningitis. Newborn babies contract the infection during pregnancy or from the mother’s genital tract during labor and delivery. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends screening all pregnant women for vaginal and rectal GBS colonization between 35 and 37 weeks gestation. The treatment of mothers with certain risk factors or positive cultures is important to reduce the risk of transmission of GBS to the baby. Babies whose mothers receive antibiotic treatment for a positive GBS test are 20 times less likely to develop the disease than those without treatment. What is the specimen of choice for pregnancy testing?Specimens collected at any time are acceptable, however, the first morning urine generally contains the highest concentration of hCG.
What are the 4 types of tests for pregnancy?The following screening methods are available during pregnancy:. Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) test or multiple marker test.. Amniocentesis.. Chorionic villus sampling.. Cell-free fetal DNA testing.. Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (withdrawing a small sample of the fetal blood from the umbilical cord). Ultrasound scan.. |