{"id":5892,"date":"2019-08-06T13:23:46","date_gmt":"2019-08-06T13:23:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pregnanteve.com\/?p=5892"},"modified":"2024-01-10T07:43:18","modified_gmt":"2024-01-10T07:43:18","slug":"prenatal-testing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pregnanteve.com\/prenatal-testing\/","title":{"rendered":"Prenatal Testing: Genetic Tests, Screening Tests and Routine Tests During Pregnancy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Even before you are trying to conceive, you’ll get to hear about the prenatal testing such as amniocentesis<\/a> and CVS. For safety reasons, these common tests in pregnancy are best not skipped. Yet they are optional and a pregnant woman can avoid them if she wills.<\/p>

Screening tests only give results in ratio form. For instance, you get a Downs Syndrome risk test and the results come as 1:500 risk or 1:1000 risk. The lower the second digit, the higher is the risk. But even then, there is no diagnosis. You can get screening tests for checking your baby’s health or your health.<\/p>

Tests such as screening risk of infectious diseases are optional. Here we will discuss the different prenatal testing use, risks and time to be taken. Common tests have been considered here. There are many other tests available for different purposes.<\/p>

\"Prenatal
Prenatal Testing: Genetic Tests, Screening Tests And Routine Tests During Pregnancy<\/figcaption><\/figure>

1) Tests Just Before Conception<\/h2>

Unless you’re one of those who had an unplanned pregnancy, you probably know what is ovulation tracking<\/a>. Some women can do it without any aid just by calculations. Others just have sex every alternate day to increase their chances of getting pregnant. Someone might attempt coitus every day too. And some smart ones buy an ovulation test kit.<\/a><\/p>

Those undergoing fertility therapy or having long cycles or irregular menses also use OTKs to find their fertile period. It’s easy to use and the most effective way of finding ovulation. Having sex a day before ovulation is most likely to get you pregnant.<\/p>

a. Fertility Test<\/h3>

A fertility test<\/a> includes all tests done for assessing your current reproductive health. It includes general blood tests for detecting levels of progesterone and estrogen. A medical history discussion about past incidences of surgeries, miscarriages or STDs also comes under it.<\/p>

b. Ovulation Test<\/h3>

OTKs can be digital kits or strip tests. Doctors also use blood sampling for detecting ovulation. In any situation, the basis of the test remains the same. Along with the ovulation test, other fertility tests may also be done before TTC period.<\/p>

What is ovulation test?<\/h4>

An ovulation test is a kit that detects a surge of LH in your blood or urine. This hormone starts coming along urine just a few hours before ovulation. Near ovulation, conception is most probable.<\/p>

An ovulation test can either detect LH surge or estrogen surge. The tests that detect LH surge tell you that ovulation is just about to occur. Within 24 hours after the positive test, you will ovulate.<\/p>

How is it done?<\/h4>

A home OTK has a general method of testing. A urine sample is taken and the OTK strip is exposed to it. The reaction takes place and the result is visible. Based on key given you can decide whether you have a positive or negative OTK.<\/p>

When is it done?<\/h4>

Unlike pregnancy tests, ovulation test is not an early morning test. The hormone takes time to build up in your urine after you wake up. Early morning urine doesn’t have enough LH and gives a false negative. A dark line is positive and all lighter lines are negative. You don’t get a blank OTK because some LH exists in the blood.<\/p>

Why should I take this test?<\/h4>

Taking an ovulation test makes it easier to time sex. Having too much sex causes depletion of your partner’s sperms. Similarly, exhaustion of the body makes it lose the receptivity for conceiving.<\/p>

You must not take an ovulation test for natural contraception using abstinence. Throughout the month there is a slight probability of conception. Ovulation kit cannot detect that but its there.<\/p>

Risks<\/h4>

The only risk with ovulation is inappropriate interpretation. Getting a positive test for many days implies that your LH production is excess. Pregnancy tests are straightforward while OTKs require some background personal information.<\/p>

2) Pregnancy Detection Test<\/h2>

There are a variety of ways to detect pregnancy. Rarely when those test strips ditch a woman she can head for a digital test or blood test or even an ultrasound scan. Yes! An ultrasound is used to detect cryptic pregnancy or when the hCG levels are low.<\/p>

a. Home Pregnancy Test<\/h3>

A basic pregnancy test uses hCG in urine to detect pregnancy. The pregnancy hormone reaches sufficient levels by 4 weeks pregnant and comes in the urine.<\/p>

What is the test?<\/h4>

A pregnancy test is a strip that has hCG antibodies<\/a>. These develop a color when hCG hormone attaches to them. Exposing a test strip to urine can help detect the presence of hCG. Just for your information, you can use the strip with blood too. After all the test is only for finding out whether or not hCG is present.<\/p>

Digital pregnancy tests<\/a> display the result as a flashing message. Pregnancy test strip shows a colored line other than control.<\/p>

How is it done?<\/h4>

A pregnancy test is best done with early morning urine. Midstream test kits are directly exposed in urine stream. For dip strip sample of urine is taken in a container and the strip is dipped in. Results are displayed as the kit is designed.<\/p>

When is it done?<\/h4>

A pregnancy test is done early in the morning<\/a>. The reason is just to concentrate hCG in urine. You can take the test at night by storing urine or not peeing the entire day.<\/p>

After a week from ovulation, you can begin taking a pregnancy test. Early pregnancy tests are able to detect pregnancy a week before due period.<\/p>

Why should I take this test?<\/h4>

You can take a pregnancy test to find out the reason for the missed period. Taking a pregnancy test can also be a way to detect hCG from cysts. These form when a woman has PCOS. After IVF treatment taking a test will give you a false positive<\/a>. Yet it will be a measure of having hCG in blood for superovulation.<\/p>

Risks<\/h4>

False-negative test results<\/a> are one of the few limitations. You can keep getting a negative test even when you’re actually pregnant. Not getting a beta hCG test after positive HPT, has a chance of undiagnosed abnormal pregnancy. Molar, tubal, and chemical pregnancy do give positive HPT but are not normal.<\/p>

b. Beta hCG test<\/h3>

A beta hCG test is a pregnancy blood test<\/a>. You will have to get it done at a lab or hospital.<\/p>

What is the test?<\/h4>

A blood sample is taken from a vein. This is sent for detecting beta hCG levels. You will get a report with exact quantification of hCG. A home pregnancy test only detects the presence and is qualitative. Beta hCG test is quantitative. If the value obtained is in the range of pregnancy levels then the test reports me mentions it.<\/p>

How is it done?<\/h4>

A blood sample is taken from venepuncture and sent for a laboratory procedure. Later you get the report mentioning the results. A positive test means you’re pregnant and have hCG more than 25 mIU\/mL.<\/p>

When is it done?<\/h4>

A beta hCG test can be done at any point. You can get it after a week or two weeks. Day and night don’t matter nor does any dietary precaution need to be followed. As general protocol doctors first ask you to take a urine strip test at hospital before withdrawing a blood sample. They may take both of the tests simultaneously too.<\/p>

Why should I take this test?<\/h4>

You must take the test to know whether the positive test you got in HPT kit was a healthy pregnancy. A doctor will be able to diagnose any abnormal symptoms. Ectopic pregnancy is hazardous for fertility. In the condition, the fallopian tubes can burst and make conception impossible.<\/p>

One will also need to take the test for PCOS diagnosis. Other causes of elevated hCG include tumors, drug analogs, etc.<\/p>

Risks<\/h4>

There is no risk associated with beta hCG test as you’re under the supervision of a medical professional. Except for a mild sting, you won’t feel anything. Texts saying that withdrawing a small blood sample can cause dizziness are misleading.<\/p>

3) Genetic test or Carrier Screening<\/h2>

A carrier of a disease is a person who herself doesn’t show the symptoms of the disease but can pass it on. Although the disorder didn’t occur in that individual carrying the defective gene, chances are high for the offspring to get it. Especially if two carriers mate then the child will have the disorder with a minimum chance of 25%.<\/p>

There are three types of genetic tests – theoretical<\/strong>, non-invasive<\/strong> and invasive<\/strong>. Genetics tests tell about the probability of your future baby having a particular inheritance disorder<\/em>. Parents get extremely nervous and worried when it comes to genetic tests.<\/p>

Know that whatever be the results the choice and decision is still with you.<\/p>

And there have been many cases defying the accuracy of these tests. Some have got a high-risk test and not had the disorder while others with no risk had it. Taking the test does two things – informs you and gives time to make decisions and prepare.<\/p>

If no matter whatever the results are you will still have the baby then you could skip the invasive test.<\/p>

What is this test?<\/h3>

A genetic test can be an analysis of your medical history. Blood tests followed by biochemical procedures can detect the presence of a particular genetic sequence. Scientists have identified the sequences (DNA content) that signs a disorder.<\/p>

Paternity tests also have the same genetic basis. Both parents and children have common repetitive genetic sequences. Detecting the presence of the same sequence in two samples establishes a relation.<\/p>

How is it done?<\/h3>

Non-invasive tests are just discussion between patient and doctor or taking a blood sample. For invasive tests, the doctor inserts an instrument that can collect blood or fetal tissue. The sample is then sent for further analysis.<\/p>

When is it done?<\/h3>

Medical history tests or pedigree analysis are common practice since past times. In fact, earlier people did such compatibility tests before marriage. Pedigree is a history pictorial chart that highlights the affected and carrier of a particular disease through generations.<\/p>

Even the Royals have a pedigree chart. Showing the inheritance of hemophilia, a blood clotting disorder,  of which The Queen was a carrier.<\/p>

Non-invasive blood tests are done by the end of the first trimester. When the fetal mass starts shedding cells, a test can be done using the mother’s blood sample.<\/p>

Invasive prenatal DNA tests are done later in pregnancy. They are optional like the other two. As they require intervention into the amniotic sac they’re risky.<\/p>

These tests are for women with a family history of chronic or degenerative diseases<\/strong>. Women ahead of ideal maternal age also must take the test.<\/p>

Why should I take this test?<\/h3>

You can take the test just for beforehand hint. There is absolutely no guarantee either way. Taking a test can help doctors educate you about possible treatment or complications.<\/p>

Extra caution can prevent pregnancy complications. Current medical science progress is not enough for curing such disease in the womb.<\/p>

Risks<\/h3>