| Blood tests | | | | Unless you have had one recently, you may have a |
| Complete blood count | | | | cervical smear (PAP smear). |
| This test screens for anemia, which is very common | | | | Blood pressure |
| during pregnancy. Anemia may be due to low iron | | | | Blood pressure usually falls at the beginning of |
| levels, or can be an inherited form, such as | | | | pregnancy. Women with high blood pressure or blood |
| thalassemia. | | | | pressure at the high end of normal early in pregnancy |
| Blood type | | | | are at increased risk of having blood pressure |
| This test will determine your blood typeas well as | | | | problems later. |
| show if you are Rhesus positive (Rh+) or negative | | | | Weight |
| (Rh-). If you are Rh- you will usually receive a | | | | This baseline value will let your care provider calculate |
| medication called rhogam after medical procedures | | | | how much weight you have gained as your |
| such as amniocentesis, or if you have vaginal bleeding. | | | | pregnancy progresses, and guide how much weight |
| You will usually get an extra dose at around 28 | | | | you need to gain during the pregnancy. |
| weeks. | | | | If your are uncertain as to whether you have had |
| Antibody screen | | | | chicken pox, a blood test will let you know whether |
| This test determines whether you have antibodies | | | | you should stay away from people with this |
| that could cross the placenta and cause the baby to | | | | infectious disease while you are pregnant. If you are |
| become anemic. | | | | not immune, and do happen to be exposed, there is |
| Hepatitis B | | | | treatment to prevent severe chicken pox during |
| This test will identify women who are actively | | | | pregnancy. If you are African American, Hispanic, or |
| infectious with hepatitis B, a viral liver disease that | | | | of mediterranean , descent you will have tests for |
| can be transmitted to the baby during pregnancy and | | | | blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia or |
| labor. | | | | thalassemia, which are more common in these |
| HIV | | | | groups. |
| This test will identify women who have been | | | | Last but not least, you will be given your due date at |
| infected with the HIV retrovirus. | | | | this appointment (some times called the EDC - |
| Rubella | | | | estimated date of confinement). Your due date is |
| This blood test determines whether you are immune | | | | based on your last menstrual period. Even if you think |
| to rubella. If you are not, you will usually get | | | | you know the date you conceived, your last |
| vaccinated right after delivery. You cannot have the | | | | menstrual period is usually the most accurate way to |
| vaccine during pregnancy. | | | | estimate your due date. The exception occurs when |
| Syphilis | | | | you don't remember when your last period was or if |
| Syphilis does not always cause symptoms but can | | | | you have very irregular periods. In this case, an early |
| cause serious problems for the fetus. | | | | ultrasound will be the most accurate way to date |
| Urine test | | | | your pregnancy. Don't get too attached to your due |
| This test looks for extra sugar or protein in your | | | | date remember, it is only an estimate. |
| urine, and for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI). | | | | Usually your care provider will see you again in 4-6 |
| Extra protein can be a sign of kidney disease extra | | | | weeks to review your test results and discuss first |
| sugar may indicate diabetes. UTls will be treated with | | | | trimester screening results. However, your doctor |
| antibiotics to prevent a serious kidney infection, | | | | should call you before your second visit if any of the |
| which can cause pregnancy complications. | | | | results are abnormal. |
| Cervical smear | | | | |