What tests should be done during the 4th month of pregnancy?

When pregnant for four months, the pregnant woman is in the middle stage of pregnancy. In comparison, the pregnant woman's body is relatively stable during this period, but the pregnant woman should not take it lightly at this time. The relevant precautions during pregnancy must be kept in mind, especially to go to the hospital regularly for prenatal check-ups. So what are the main examination items in the fourth month of pregnancy?

What tests should be done during the 4th month of pregnancy?

At 16 weeks of pregnancy, the second prenatal check-up should be carried out, including basic routine checks such as weight, blood pressure, and medical history, and compared with the previous check-up to see if everything is normal. This examination has an important item - Down syndrome screening. No food or water is allowed after 12 o'clock at night the day before the examination, and the examination must be done on an empty stomach the next morning. It is recommended to consult your doctor about what preparations are needed before the examination.

Second prenatal checkup

[Examination time]: 16 weeks of pregnancy, 4 months of pregnancy, mid-pregnancy.

[Prenatal examination items]: Analysis of the results of the first prenatal examination, blood pressure, weight, uterine fundus height, abdominal circumference, fetal heart rate, and mid-pregnancy Down syndrome blood screening (15-20 weeks).

1. Fetal heart rate: The normal heart rate of the fetus is between 120 beats/minute and 160 beats/minute. If the fetal heart rate is <120 or >160 beats/minute for more than 10 minutes, it indicates that the fetal heart rate is abnormal. At present, the application of fetal heart monitors has become quite popular. When monitoring the fetal heart rate, if there is an abnormality in the fetal heart graph, it is often used to indicate fetal heart abnormality.

2. Weight: Being too thin or too fat can have adverse effects on pregnant women, so you should consciously control your weight within the standard range before pregnancy. A simple formula for calculating weight is to subtract 100-150 from your height (cm) and multiply by 0.9 to get your standard weight (kg). Weight is not absolute. It can fluctuate by 5 kg based on the calculated weight. As long as it is within this range, it is normal.

3. Uterine height: By measuring uterine height and abdominal circumference, you can preliminarily determine the gestational age, indirectly understand the fetal growth and development, and estimate the fetal weight. Measuring uterine height and abdominal circumference during each prenatal check-up helps to dynamically observe fetal development and promptly detect pregnancy abnormalities such as intrauterine growth retardation, macrosomia, or polyhydramnios, which may be corrected through timely treatment.

Tips for prenatal check-up in the fourth month of pregnancy

The most important item in the second prenatal check-up is Down syndrome screening. For Down syndrome screening, you must not eat or drink after 12 o'clock the night before, and come to the hospital for the examination on an empty stomach the next morning. In addition, the examination is also related to the menstrual cycle, weight, height, accurate gestational age, and fetal age. It is best to consult a doctor for other preparations before the examination.

In order to make the prenatal check-up go more smoothly, pregnant mothers should prepare in advance what to wear and what they need to bring. Be sure to wear loose clothes, especially when measuring uterine height and abdominal circumference in the second trimester, and choose clothes that are convenient for inspection. It is best to wear pants that are easy to take off, or a wide skirt. In this way, you won’t cause yourself too much trouble during internal examination. You need to take off your shoes and socks when checking for edema, so it is best not to wear pantyhose. Wear comfortable shoes that are easy to put on and take off. You should bring the mother and child health handbook, and you can also put a pen and a small notebook in it to take notes when necessary. Bleeding may occur after the internal examination, so it is best to bring a sanitary pad or sanitary napkin.