Laboratory Tests

Some routine lab tests are done on all pregnant women at different times during the pregnancy. Other tests are done for a specific indication.

As early in pregnancy as feasible, obtain:

Subsequent lab tests consists of:

Amniocentesis or CVS for women age 35 at 10-17 weeks
Maternal serum AFP at 16-18 weeks
Hemoglobin or hematocrit at 28 weeks
Serum glucose at 1-hour post 50g glucose load at 28 weeks
Administration of Rhogam to Rh negative women

Other tests may be indicated, based on individual risk factors. These might include screening for Sickle Cell disease (or trait), thalassemia, G6PD, tuberculosis.

Follow-up tests may also be needed, based on the original screen. For example, a woman found to be very anemic might be evaluated with serum folate and ferritin levels. A woman failing her glucose screening test will probably need a full glucose tolerance test.

This information is provided by The Brookside Associates. The Brookside Associates, LLC. is a private organization, not affiliated with any governmental agency. The opinions presented here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Brookside Associates or the Department of Defense. The presence of any advertising on these pages does not constitute an endorsement of that product or service by either the US Department of Defense or the Brookside Associates. All material presented here is unclassified.

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