Pregnancy is a miraculous time when your baby grows day by day inside the womb. Starting from the first day of your last period, this period, which lasts an average of 40 weeks, requires close monitoring of the baby’s development and the mother’s health.
To bring a healthy baby into the world, every expectant mother needs to undergo regular medical check-ups and some tests. While some of these tests are performed during pregnancy, others need to be done before conception to ensure a healthy pregnancy and reduce the likelihood of developing risky conditions. Therefore, especially for those planning to conceive, it is advisable to undergo some screenings about three months before conception for control purposes. Prospective mothers entering this phase should be aware of the tests conducted during pregnancy and coordinate with their doctors regarding the timing of these tests.
So, what are these tests? What are their purposes and when are they done? Let’s explore together.
What are Prenatal Tests?
Prenatal tests are divided into two stages: preconception tests and tests to be done during pregnancy.
Preconception Tests
These are the procedures that need to be performed before the baby is conceived. The results of these tests can diagnose any unknown illness in the expectant mother, allow for treatments not possible during pregnancy, and eliminate risky conditions for the baby’s health and birth. Therefore, individuals planning to have children should first undergo a medical examination by a doctor, undergo the tests deemed appropriate by the doctor, and complete any necessary treatments before pregnancy.
Tests During Pregnancy
Tests during pregnancy are screenings required to observe developments related to the baby and detect any risky situations after the fetus is visible in the womb. The results of these tests allow for the early detection of potential risks and the implementation of preventive measures. Based on these results, the delivery time can be determined more comfortably, or the pregnancy can be terminated without risking the lives of the mother and the baby.
Why are Prenatal Tests Conducted?
Your doctor will ask you to undergo certain tests before your baby is born. Often, you’ll perceive these tests as routine procedures following your doctor’s orders. But why are these tests conducted during pregnancy?
Prenatal tests and tests before pregnancy offer many benefits:
- Determining your blood type in advance,
- Assessing your immunity to certain diseases,
- Detecting anaemia and administering pre-pregnancy treatment if present,
- Identifying any hereditary illnesses in your family and taking precautions,
- Detecting and treating illnesses that cannot be treated during pregnancy,
- Eliminating factors that could pose a risk during childbirth,
- Monitoring the development of the baby in the womb,
- Detecting anomalies in the baby early and taking preventive measures,
- Determining the date of delivery,
- Deciding whether the delivery should be cesarean or vaginal.
Which Tests Should Be Done Before Pregnancy?
Some of the initial tests during pregnancy should ideally be completed before conception. However, couples often consult a doctor when they suspect pregnancy, typically when they experience a missed period, resulting in these procedures being performed during pregnancy. Therefore, these procedures are done while pregnant. Preconception tests, part of prenatal tests, should ideally be done when individuals decide to have a baby, before conception.
Preconception tests include:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Urine Analysis
- Blood Group Determination
- Maternal Bleeding Profile
- Routine Biochemistry Tests
- Pelvic Ultrasonography
- Smear Test
- TORCH Test
- Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) Test
- Chromosomal Investigations
There’s no specific time for preconception tests. Once a decision is made to have a baby, individuals should undergo necessary examinations and tests as advised by a gynaecologist. After confirming that your body is ready for pregnancy based on the test results, pregnancy is planned. However, considering the possibility of detecting previously unknown conditions in your body, these tests should have a certain time frame. Therefore, it is more appropriate to undergo pre-pregnancy tests about three months before conception.
What Tests Should be Done During Pregnancy?
If pregnancy occurs unexpectedly, meaning preconception tests are not possible, the first tests to be performed after confirming pregnancy are preconception tests. Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that these tests are also pregnancy tests. These tests are conducted after the initial examination. In addition to preconception tests, the following tests are among those required during pregnancy:
- Hepatitis B Test
- HIV (AIDS) Test
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
- Nuchal Translucency (NT) Test
- Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test
- Combined Screening Test
- Triple Test
- Amniocentesis
- Detailed Ultrasound Scan
- Cordocentesis
- Glucose Screening Test
- Indirect Coombs (IDC) Test
Tests during pregnancy may not always provide definitive results. An expectant mother should not succumb to unnecessary anxieties based on the results of tests for chromosomal abnormalities. It should be noted that these tests only determine probabilities.
