Instructions and Tests
Prenatal Care is a very important part of having a healthy baby. Prenatal visits help us diagnose and intervene as needed as early as possible. We encourage you to become active in your care and keep a list of questions or concerns.
Tests Performed During Pregnancy
Blood Pressure
Taken at each visit
Fetal Heart Tones
The fetal heart beat will be audible after 12 weeks gestation using a Doppler device on your abdomen.
Urine
Checked at each visit to see if your body is producing excess protein or glucose..
Ultrasound
Ultrasound can be performed after approximately seven to eight weeks gestation to determine your official due date and confirm pregnancy. Another ultrasound will be performed around 20 weeks to evaluate organ development and determine gender if desired.
Fundal Height
We measure the height of the uterus to help determine gestational growth beginning after 20 weeks.
Glucola
The glucose test screens for gestational diabetes. Fasting is required for this test after midnight the night before your test. These appointments are done around 28 weeks.
Obstetrical Calendar
First Visit
12 weeks
16 weeks
20 weeks
24 weeks
Optional Testing
There are several optional tests available to all pregnant women. While there are no prenatal therapies or cures for fetal abnormalities, parents can use early diagnosis to prepare for the birth of the baby or to plan for termination of the pregnancy. Screening tests are noninvasive and can determine if there is a high or low risk for certain abnormalities. Diagnostic tests are invasive and can determine if a certain abnormality is present or not. Testing is not perfect and is only available for certain abnormalities. Fetal abnormality testing is not required, but is an option which may be chosen by the patient in consultation with her care providers.
NonInvasive Screening Tests
Cystic Fibrosis Carrier Status
Cystic Fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease that is characterized by severe respiratory and digestive problems. The test for cystic fibrosis is a Maternal Blood Test that evaluates whether the mother is a carrier of the disease. If this test is positive, we then screen the father’s blood for the gene mutation. If both are positive, the parents may opt to have an amniocentesis to determine if the baby has cystic fibrosis.
First Trimester Screening + Second Trimester AFP
This screening pairs an Ultrasound to evaluate specific measurements of the baby with Maternal Blood Tests done at the same time. This determines if the baby is at high or low risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities. This screen can detect 90% of Down Syndrome cases and 97% of Trisomy 13 or 18. This test has a 5% False Positive Rate. If this screening shows that the risk of abnormalities is high, you may opt to have an invasive test to confirm the diagnosis.
Patients may also opt to have blood drawn again in the second trimester to screen for spina bifida. This screen can detect 98% of open neural tube defects. There is a 6% False Positive Rate. If this screening test shows that the risk is high, you may opt to have an invasive test to confirm the diagnosis.
Second Trimester Screening
This Maternal Blood Test that determines if the baby is at high or low risk for specific chromosomal abnormalities or open neural tube defects/spina bifida. This screen can detect 80% of Down Syndrome cases, 70% of Trisomy 13 or 18, and 98% of spina bifida. There is a 6 % False Positive Rate. If this screening test shows that the risk is high, you may opt to have an invasive test to confirm the diagnosis.
Invasive Diagnostic Tests
Invasive Diagnostic Tests content
Genetic Counseling
Genetic Counseling content
Ultrasound
If you wish to record your ultrasound, our ultrasound machine can save your baby’s picture:
DVD+RW
Will record live action of your baby’s movements
DVD+R, DVD-RW, Fuji Brand DVD
Will record still images only
We have DVD+RW available for purchase $5.
3D/4D Ultrasound
Fort Sanders offers 3D ultrasound in our office. We have the newest ultrasound with the sharpest images available in the East Tennessee area.
The best images are between 10-12 weeks or 26-28 weeks. However, you can have a 3D ultrasound at any time in your pregnancy and as many times as you desire. The cost of the ultrasound is $80.00, including a DVD.
Please schedule the appointment with the receptionist if you are interested. These services are only available to current patients of Fort Sanders ObGyn.