| Prenatal Test | Why the test? | Time | Narmal Value | Follow-up in case of preblem |
| Blood type and Rh factor | Possibility for incompatibility beween mother's and baby's blood | Preconception of first visit | Any result is normal, but if mother is Rh negative, possibility for incompatibility exists | Test for antibodies in blood; test baby's father's blood; if baby's father has Rh positive blood or is unavailable for testing, repeat antibody testing later in pregnancy; treat with RhoGAM at 26-28 weeks and postpartum |
| Chlamydial culture or screening test | Chlamydia infection (common STD) | Preconception and/or first prenatal visit | Negative | Treat with antibiotic; test and treat partner; retest for cure |
| Cystic fibrosis | Carrier for cystic fibrosis; most common among Caucasians | Preconception or first prenatal visit | Negative | Test partner; genetic counseling |
| Diabetes Screen (GCT) | Possible diabetes | 26-28 weeks of pregnancy; earliet in women at risk for diabetes | Usually <135 or < 140 | Retest with 3-hour GTT for definite diagnosis |
| Gonococcal culture or screening test | Gonorrhea infection | Preconception and/or first prenatal visit; may be repeated at 36th week | Negative | Treat with antibiotic; test and treat partner; retest for cure |
| Hemoglobin electrophoresis | Sickle-cell anemia or trait | Preconception or first visit | Hemoglobin AA | Test partner; if partner has disease or is carrier, genetic counseling to discuss risk of infant's have disease; prenatal diagnosis of fetus available |
| Hemoglobin or Hematocrit | Low levels of this oxygen carrying chemical in the bolld, of anemia | Preconception of first visit; repeated in 3rd trimester | Hemoglobin >= 12 Hematocrit >= 36 | Treat with diet and iron; retest after treatment |
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B infection or immunity | Preconception or first prenatal visit | Negative antigen; may show positive antibody, indicating previous infection and possible immunity. If antigen is present, you may have the disease or be a carrier of the disease | If infectious, retest later in pregnancy; supportive care; treat baby |
| HIV testing | Presence of antibodies to virus causing AIDS | Preconception of rist visit; may be offered again at 36th week. | Negative | See provider with experience caring for pregnant women with HIV; have sounseling regarding treatmen options to reduce possibility of transmission to fetus. |
| Material serum aplhafetoprotein (AFP) | Possibility of some types of genetic defects (open neural tube defects) | 14th to 18th week of pregnancy | Levels appropriate for timing in pregnancy | Sonogram to check dating of pregnancy; repeat test; if level remains abnormal, genetic counseling and aminocentesis |
| Pap smear | Cervical cancer or precancerous conditions, other cervical and/or vaginal problems such as infections | Preconception or first prenatal visit | Negative | Repeat Pap smear after 3 months, further testing, or treatment, depending on findings |
| Random blood glucose | Possible diabetes | First prenata visit for women at risk for diabetes | Usually < 120 | Retest with more specific blood test for diabetes |
| Rubella titer | German measles; shows susceptibility, immunity, or possible infection | Preconception of first visit; if susceptible, may need to repeat test if exposure or symptoms occur | Negative test of low titer indicates suceptibility; high titer indicates possible infection; moderate titer, immunity | If susceptibility discovered preconceptionally, consider vaccination and avoid pregnancy for 28 days; if pregnant, avoid exposure and have vaccine after pregnancy. If possible infection, retest and confirm; if pregnancy and infected, seek genetic counseling to discuss risks to fetus. |
| Serologic testing for syphilis (RPR or VDRL) | Syphilis | Preconception and/or first visit; may be repeated in 3rd> trimester in woemen at risk of STD | Negative | Treat with penicillin or other antibiotic, unless previously treated, then retest for reinfection; test and treat partner; retest for cure |
| Serologic testing for toxoplasmosis | Toxoplasmosis infection for immunity | Preconception or first visit | Negative or low levels indicate susceptibility; moderate levels show infection with immunity; high levels may indicate current infection | Retest may be necessary to ascertain infection; if mother infected, treat with antibiotic to prevent fetal transmission; if susceptible avoid cat feces, rare or raw meat |
| Tay-Sachs | Carrier of Tay-Sachs disease | Preconception or first visit in persons of Ashkenazi Jewish background | Negative Carrier | Test partner; genetic counseling if both partners are carriers; prenatal diagnosis of fetus available |
| Tuberculosis skin test (Tine or PPD) | Exposure to tuberculosis or possible past or present infection | Preconception or first prenatal visit of folowing known exposure | Negative | Chest X-ray after 20 weeks of pregnancy; possible treatment |
| Urine culture and urinalysis | Urinary tract infection | First prenatal visit; may be repeated if symptoms occur later in pregnancy or if at risk | Negative | Treat with antibiotic; self-help preventive and curative measures; retest for cure |
| Urine dipstick | Protein and suger in urine, which may indicater kidney problems, speeclampsia, or possible diabetes | Preconception and first visit; repeat at all subsequent visits | Negative | May necessitate further testing |
