What does the prenatal blood test include

For pregnant women, prenatal blood tests are also an important prenatal examination item. Through these products and items, it can be found out whether the fetus is developing normally and whether the pregnant woman is in good physical condition. This will make further preparations for the upcoming delivery. Once some problems arise, timely treatment or improvement is needed, which will help a smooth delivery. Let’s take a look at this aspect below.

What does a prenatal blood test include?

1. HCG blood test

In order to detect the accuracy of pregnancy, doctors generally recommend pregnant mothers to do HCG early pregnancy test. The "quantitative" test of HCG value through blood is more accurate than the "qualitative" test of ordinary early pregnancy test paper, with an accuracy of over 99%. In addition, for multiple pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies, hydatidiform moles, fetal developmental retardation, certain endocrine diseases or tumors, the HCG value can be combined with the clinical condition and other examination results, and a correct judgment can often be made through comprehensive analysis. This test requires fasting.

2. Routine blood test

This test is mainly used to determine whether the pregnant mother has anemia. If the anemia is mild, it will not have a big impact on the pregnant mother herself and the fetus. However, if it is severe anemia, it may lead to adverse consequences such as premature birth and low birth weight.

3. Blood type test

Blood is usually drawn during early pregnancy to check blood type. This test is mainly used to prevent neonatal hemolytic disease. Secondly, it is to prepare for blood transfusion. If the pregnant mother has early pregnancy miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, placenta previa, placental abruption, or heavy bleeding during delivery, it may lead to life-threatening due to heavy bleeding.

4. TORCH inspection

The TORCH test consists of four viral tests, including rubella virus, cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis and herpes simplex virus. If a pregnant mother is infected with these viruses, the virus is likely to pass through the placenta to the fetus, causing congenital malformations or even miscarriage. Therefore, it is best for women to have this examination before planning to become pregnant. If the virus is detected in the body, treatment should be given before becoming pregnant. This test also requires fasting.

5. Liver function test

This examination is mainly to check whether the pregnant mother has diseases such as hepatitis, because after pregnancy, the burden on the pregnant mother's liver will be increased. If the pregnant mother's liver function is abnormal, the ability to process toxic waste will be reduced, which can easily lead to poisoning of the mother and fetus. Second, it cannot produce the various proteins needed by the body, thus affecting the functions of other organs. Third, due to the insufficient production of coagulation factors, heavy bleeding may occur easily, posing a danger to the pregnant mother and fetus. This test requires fasting.

6. Down syndrome screening

This test is to screen the possibility that the fetus may have Down syndrome. Generally, 2 ml of blood will be drawn from the pregnant mother to test the alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin and free estriol in the serum. Then, the risk index of Down syndrome child will be calculated based on the height, weight, age and gestational age of the pregnant mother. The best screening time for this test is between 16 and 19 weeks of pregnancy.