Prenatal testing gives information about the health of a fetus before birth, and some routine tests during pregnancy also check the health of the pregnant person. Tests may use a sample of blood or urine, or fluid from the vagina, cervix or rectum.
Why test
Some health conditions can be treated before a baby is born, so finding them early matters. Even when a condition can't be treated, knowing about it early gives time to learn about it and prepare for challenges after the birth.
What's tested
At the first prenatal visit, a health care provider tests for a range of conditions, including:
- problems with your blood;
- signs of infection;
- whether you're immune to rubella (German measles) and chickenpox.
Later in pregnancy, additional tests may be recommended. Some are suggested for everyone — screenings for gestational diabetes, Down syndrome and HIV. Others may be offered based on your:
- age;
- personal or family medical history;
- ethnic background;
- results of routine tests.
Two kinds of tests
| Screening tests | Diagnostic tests | |
|---|---|---|
| What they do | Check whether you or your fetus may have certain health issues | Determine whether you or your fetus has a particular health problem |
| What results mean | They show risk, not a diagnosis. An abnormal result doesn't mean there's a problem — only that more information is needed | They confirm or rule out a condition |
| Next step | Your provider explains the result; you may be offered diagnostic testing | Your provider discusses what the diagnosis means |
It's your decision
Prenatal testing is your choice. Talk with your provider about each test's risks and benefits and what information it can give you, then decide which tests are right for you.
Sources
Based on the MedlinePlus health topic "Prenatal Testing," National Library of Medicine, with text from the National Women's Health Information Center; works of the United States government in the public domain.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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