Blood tests are a routine part of your antenatal care. While it's natural to feel anxious about them, they give important information about your and your baby's health as well as any potential issues with your pregnancy
By Dr Tan Shu Qi, Consultant and Associate Professor Tan Thiam Chye, Visiting Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital
These are the six routine blood tests that every mum-to-be has to undergo around week 7 of pregnancy:
1. Full Blood Count
This measures your haemoglobin level to detect anaemia (low levels of red blood cells that carry oxygen in your body). You'll be prescribed iron supplements if you're anaemic. A repeat blood test may be recommended at week 28 to recheck the haemoglobin levels.
It also screens for thalassemia, a common genetic blood disorder in Asia where an abnormal form of haemoglobin is formed. Most carriers don't show any symptoms, and may not even be aware of their carrier status. If both mum- and dad-to-be are carriers, the baby may be affected. Further tests will be carried out on you and your partner if either of you tested positive.
Related:
Thalassemia Tests
2. Blood Typing
Knowing your blood group (A, B, O or AB) and Rhesus (Rh) status is useful in emergency situations like excessive bleeding. If you are Rh negative, injections may be required during your pregnancy to prevent harmful antibodies — that may affect your baby — from being produced.
Related:
Pregnancy - Fetal Blood Sampling
3. Hepatitis B Screening
If you're a Hepatitis B carrier, a Hepatitis B vaccine and antibodies will be administered to your baby immediately after delivery to minimise the risk of liver problems in later years.
Related:
Pre-Pregnancy Vaccination
4. Syphillis Screening
While this sexually transmitted disease is rare, screening is routine as infection can be transmitted to your baby through the placenta during pregnancy. If detected in the mum-to-be, early treatment with antibiotics may prevent stillbirth and deformities.
Related:
Skin Diseases In Pregnancy
5. HIV Screening
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) causes AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), which affects the immune system and may eventually cause death. A pregnant woman who is HIV positive can transmit the virus to her baby during birth and breastfeeding. However, detection via early screening can facilitate proper treatment with medication. A planned Caesarean section may be necessary. Avoiding breastfeeding can reduce the risk of transmission to baby to less than one percent.
Related:
Pregnancy - Antenatal Screening For HIV
6. Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT)
These tests for diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes) and will require you to fast overnight beforehand. It's usually done between weeks 24 and 28. After a blood specimen is taken, you will need to drink a glucose solution before your blood glucose levels are measured again at one- and two-hour intervals. One in five women tests positive for gestational diabetes. Blood sugar monitoring in pregnancy can optimise outcomes in such cases.
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Read these next:
Sources:
The New Art and Science of Pregnancy and Childbirth 2008, World Scientific
Healthy Start for your Pregnancy 2012, Health Promotion Board Singapore
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