Prenatal-Pregnancy-Tests

Once you know you're pregnant, you want assurances about the health of you and your unborn child. That's where prenatal testing comes in. Prenatal tests are medical tests you get during pregnancy. They are done routinely at the first prenatal visit and then subsequently, several times during pregnancy. 

Pregnancy tests, for example, detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the blood or urine, which is produced within days after implantation when the fertilized egg attaches to the wall of the uterus. This usually happens about nine days after fertilization, with a range between 6-12 days. If you are pregnant, levels of hCG continue to rise rapidly, doubling early on every two to three days.

Get Your First Prenatal Visit Checklist!

Here's a look at the most common prenatal and pregnancy tests, many of which you can expect to undergo at some point during your pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests

Special tests

First-trimester tests

Second-trimester tests

Third-trimester tests

Certain tests are done during pregnancy only if you have certain problems that may affect your health and your baby’s health. Many, though not all, conditions can be detected before and during pregnancy. Knowing about your baby before birth can be helpful in making decisions before and after birth. 

Read More:
Prenatal Pregnancy Tests
Prenatal Care in the Age of COVID
Why Do Doctors Measure Your Stomach at Prenatal Visits?