pregnancy tests Flashcards
prenatal care of 1st trimester
patients should be seen every 4-6 wks:
- 11-14 wks: US to confirm gestational age + check nuchal translucency
- fetal heart sound at the end of the trimester
- blood tests, pap tests, pap smear, gonor/chl tests
- 1st trimester screening may be offered
what is 1st trimester screening
noninvasive evaluation to identify risks of ch abnormalities –> it is a combination of blood tests + US that evaluates the fetus for possible Down syndrome
what is 2nd trimester screening
- screen for genetic + congenital problems (triple or quad screen at 15-20 wks
- auscultation of fetal heart rate
- 16-20 wks: quickening (feelling fetal movement for the first time) - multiparous women earlier
- 18-20 wks routine US for fetal malformation
triple vs quad screen
triple: maternal serum alpha fetoprotein (MSAFP), β-MCG, estriol.
quad: adds inhibin A
increase in MSAFP may indicate … / how to increase the sensitivity of the test
- dating error
- neutral tude defect
- abd wall defect
The addition of beta-HCG estriol and inhibin A helps increase the sensitivity of MSAFP test
what is 3rd trimester screening
- visits are every 2-3 wks until 36 wks
- after 36 wks, visit every week
- blood count at 27 wks
- glucose load at 24-28
- test for microorganisms in 36 wks
third trimester testing - complete blood count
27 wks: if Hb under 11 –> iron orally (with stool softeners)
third trimester testing - test for microorganisms
36 wks: Cervical culture for Chlamydia + gonorrhea –> treatment if positive
rectovagina culture for group B strep -> prophylactic antibiotic during labor
other screening test - types
- Chorionic villus test
- amniocentesis
- fetal blood sampling
Chorionic villus test - when and indications
at 10-13 wks in:
- advance maternal age
- known genetic disease in parent
Chorionic villus test - technique / purpose
catheter into intrauterine cavity to aspirate chorionic villi from placenta (tranabdominally or transvaginally) –> obtains fetal karyotype
amniocentesis - when and indications
after 11-14 wk:
- advance maternal age
- known genetic disease in parent
amniocentesis - technique / purpose
needle transabdominally into the amniotic sac and withdraw amnitoci fluid –> obtains fetal karyotype
fetal blood sampling - indications
done in patients with Rh isoimmunization and where a fetal CBC is needed
fetal blood sampling - technique / purpose
needle tranabdominally into the uterus to get blood from the umbilical cord –> percutaneous umbilical blood sample