Blood tests play an essential role in pregnancy monitoring, ensuring both maternal and fetal health. Here's how various tests contribute:
- Hemoglobin and Iron Levels:
- Screens for anemia, which can cause fatigue and complications during pregnancy and delivery.
- Helps guide iron supplementation if necessary.
- Blood Group and Rhesus (Rh) Factor:
- Identifies blood type and Rh factor, crucial to prevent Rh incompatibility.
- Necessary for administering Rh immunoglobulin if required.
- Blood Glucose Levels (Gestational Diabetes):
- Detects gestational diabetes, which can affect both mother and baby's health.
- Enables dietary and lifestyle management to prevent complications.
- Infection Screening:
- Checks for infections like HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B that can be passed to the baby.
- Ensures early treatment and reduces transmission risk.
- Rubella Immunity:
- Verifies immunity to rubella, preventing congenital rubella syndrome in the baby.
- Allows for vaccination planning if needed.
- Thyroid Function:
- Monitors thyroid hormones to detect hypo- or hyperthyroidism.
- Ensures metabolic health for both mother and baby.
- Protein and Kidney Function (Pre-eclampsia):
- Measures urinary protein and kidney function to detect pre-eclampsia.
- Prevents severe complications through early intervention.
Regular blood tests during pregnancy are crucial. They provide vital information, guiding prenatal care to foster a healthy pregnancy journey.
c) Recommended Tests: