When you first hear the term "pregnancy test," you might picture a simple urine or blood check to confirm if you're expecting. But once you know you're pregnant, a world of proactive health steps awaits to ensure both you and your developing baby are thriving. As part of comprehensive prenatal care, you'll undergo various essential tests, some based on routine practices and others tailored to your personal health history. Each test serves a critical purpose, from detecting potential issues to guiding further decisions and treatments. Together, let's explore these tests, empowering you with the knowledge to take active steps towards a healthy pregnancy journey:

• Urine Pregnancy Test - This test detects the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine, confirming your pregnancy status.
• Blood Pregnancy Test - A more sensitive alternative, checking for hCG in your bloodstream.
• Complete Red Cell Blood Count (CBC) - Provides insights into your overall blood health, screening for anemia, blood disorders, and determining platelet levels.
• Blood Type - Identifies your blood group (O, A, B, or AB), crucial for understanding compatibility and ensuring healthy pregnancy management.
• Rh-Factor - This test determines your Rh status (positive or negative) to foresee and manage potential complications with your baby's blood type.
• Antibody (Coombs test) - A critical test to uncover antibodies that could pose risks to your fetus, allowing for early intervention.
• Hemoglobin Electrophoresis - Assesses for genetic blood conditions like sickle cell anemia and thalassemia.
• Hepatitis B Antigen - Detects Hepatitis B infection to prevent transmission to your baby; immune status evaluated through antibody presence.
• Hepatitis C Screening - Newly recommended by CDC for all pregnant individuals, ensuring timely care.
• Syphilis Screen - Identifies syphilis, a treatable STD that could adversely affect both you and your child if left unchecked.
• HIV Screen - Early detection and treatment are key to preventing mother-to-child transmission during pregnancy.
• Rubella (German Measles) - This test ensures you're protected against rubella, a potentially harmful infection during pregnancy.
• Varicella (Chickenpox) Antibody - Determines immunity or recent exposure to chickenpox, a vital assessment for pregnant individuals.
• Genetic Screen - Routine checks for Cystic Fibrosis, along with other specific genetic conditions relevant to your background.
• Rubeola (Measles) Antibody - Confirms resistance to measles, supporting a healthy pregnancy environment.
• Fifth Disease (Parvovirus) Antibody - Optional test for immunity assurance against this infection.
• Toxoplasma Antibody - This optional test helps detect immunity or a recent Toxoplasma infection, steering towards appropriate care if required.
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Antibody - Optional, but equally vital to ascertain partial immunity and manage potential risks.
• Urine Test for Protein, Ketones, Leukocytes, and Bacteria Culture - Identifies infections needing treatment by analyzing diverse urine elements.
• Pap (Papanicolaou) Cervix Smear - Uncovers cervical irregularities for timely follow-up and care.
• Cervix or Urine Screen for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia - Curable infections that benefit from early diagnosis and antibiotic treatment.
• Tuberculosis (PPD) Screen - Crucial if you're at risk, ensuring timely diagnosis and management.
• Early First Visit Ultrasound - Confirms pregnancy viability, examines the location, assesses the gestational age, and establishes your due date.
• Cell-free DNA Test - An advanced early-screening tool for fetal chromosomal anomalies from just 9 weeks of pregnancy.