Preparing Moms-to-Be for a Healthy Pregnancy

What If We Have Trouble Trying To Get Pregnant?

Deciding to start or add to your family should be a joyous occasion. But for some women, struggles with infertility can make getting pregnant frustrating or, sometimes, impossible. At PH Life’s Journey, we offer a comprehensive infertility evaluation and therapy program. Assessment may include blood work to evaluate hormone levels, ultrasound, semen analysis, and hysterosalpingogram or HSG, which uses X-ray to look at your uterus and fallopian tubes.

About one in 10 couples of reproductive-age will experience difficulty getting pregnant. Fortunately, with help from today's fertility treatments and advanced reproductive technologies, more than 80 percent of couples with infertility problems will get pregnant.

What Prenatal Testing Will I Need When I’m Pregnant?

Women should begin seeing an obstetrician, mid-wife, or nurse practitioner who specializes in pregnancy care when they first find out they are pregnant. You will typically only see your obstetrics provider about once a month during the first two trimesters unless your provider notices something that needs monitoring.

A variety of tests throughout your pregnancy will be recommended. These tests help monitor the health of you and your fetus so that treatment can be provided, if necessary. Early in your pregnancy, expect the following tests as part of your routine prenatal care:

• Complete blood count (CBC) and blood typing, which can show if you have the Rh factor, a protein in the blood.
• Urinalysis to test for diabetes, urinary tract disease or infection, and early signs of preeclampsia.
• Rubella blood test to see if you’ve had a past infection of rubella or been vaccinated.
• Hepatitis B and C tests
• Tests for sexually transmitted infections, including syphilis, chlamydia, and HIV.
• An initial dating ultrasound to help determine your due date.

Later in your pregnancy, you’ll have these tests:

• Repeat CBC and Rh antibody tests
• Glucose screening test to check for gestational diabetes, a condition that can cause extremely high blood sugar levels during pregnancy, which can be harmful to mom and baby.
• Group B streptococcus
• Follow-up ultrasounds to evaluate fetal development

Some women also may choose to have a multiple marker screen, a blood test that can identify neural tube defects and detect some chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. If a multiple marker screen is abnormal, women may choose to proceed to one of two tests:

Amniocentesis, which is performed during the second trimester. This test can screen for Down syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities, as well as neural tube defects like spina bifida, and some genetic conditions.

Chorionic villus sampling, is performed during the first trimester to determine if your infant has an abnormal number of chromosomes, which can give an early indication birth defects like trisomy 18.

Many couples who are concerned about genetic conditions, also have carrier screening, a blood test that can show if you or your partner carry gene’s for genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia or cystic fibrosis.

Parents may decide to have these tests so that they can prepare better for a baby who has special health needs. It also helps your obstetrics team so that they have the necessary specialists on hand when your baby is born.