Mark Twain Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint
Also known as percutaneous umbilical blood sampling (PUBS) or cordocentesis, fetal blood sampling is a procedure in which fetal blood is withdrawn from the umbilical cord. Usually performed after week 18 of pregnancy the test lets your doctor obtain blood for rapid chromosomal diagnosis when a fast result is critical. It is also sometimes carried [...]
This test involves withdrawing amniotic fluid from the uterus, which contains cells from the baby that can be used to obtain information about the baby’s chromosomes. An amniocentesis to test for genetic abnormalities is usually done at 15 to 20 weeks. It primarily tests to see that 23 chromosome pairs are present and that their [...]
Tiny, fingers-like pieces of tissue known as chorionic villi make up the placenta. They develop from cells arising out of the fertilized egg, so they have the same chromosomes and genetic make-up as the developing baby. A sample of chorionic villi will enable your healthcare provider to see whether or not the chromosomes are normal [...]
Depending on your age, your medical and obstetrical history, your family history and other factors, you may want to undergo one or more invasive tests designed to detect certain genetic diseases or conditions. A number of such tests are available, including chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis. These tests can evaluate the chromosomes of your [...]
20The risk of a baby having Down’s syndrome can be estimated by a combination of ultrasound examination (nuchal transparency NT screening) and serum testing. The tests available need to have a high detection rate and a low false positive rate. These depend also on the woman’s age, and are age-standardised. There are specific substances in [...]
Early in pregnancy, usually at your first (booking) antenatal check, your blood will be tested to screen for anaemia, to check your blood group and Rhesus factor status, and to assess your immunity or previous exposure to certain infections. Currently all women are tested for rubella, Hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV. You will have pre-test [...]
During your pregnancy, your health-care provider may recommend a variety of tests that are intended to confirm that your baby is developing normally. The decision whether to have these tests or not is yours – you do not have to agree to any procedure you are not comfortable with. Understanding the procedures involved, why the [...]
Mentally and physically this is an exciting but demanding time, as you enter the last three months of your pregnancy. Some women feel great during this last trimester, others feel exhausted. Anxiety about the impending birth is very common, too. Expect to put on between 4.5 kg during this last trimester, 3 to 3.6 kg [...]
During this trimester many of the discomforts of early pregnancy will have passed, and you may begin to appear and feel incredibly well. At long last you look pregnant. Expect to gain about 5.4 kg this trimester, 900 g of which will be due to your baby. WEEKS 14-17 Your placenta is fully formed and [...]
Although you’re unlikely to put on much weight or look significantly pregnant during the first 13 weeks of pregnancy, momentous changes are happening inside you. Emotionally, you’re adjusting to the idea of being pregnant and beginning to take on board the incredible changes this will make to your life. Expect to put on 0.9 to [...]