Pregnancy
The Use of Prenatal Ultrasound
Particularly during pregnancy, ultrasound remains the most appropriate study to follow the development of the fetus in the uterus and the status of the pelvic organs of women during pregnancy, as it is safe and does not cause any risk either the mother or the baby, since it does not emit radiation (such as using x-rays).
Your doctor may ask you for a scan or ultrasound during the first trimester of your pregnancy, to:
- Confirm that the pregnancy is normal
- Determine the baby’s age
- Search problems such as ectopic pregnancy or threatened abortion may rule
- To determine the fetal heart rate
- Search multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.). Read the rest of this entry »
What you need to know about prenatal ultrasound
If you are pregnant, possibly your gynecologist (a) you have requested that an ultrasound and I have several doubts. What is the study, it is risky for the baby, hurt me, why do I need? Here we have the answer to all these questions and other issues that you should know about prenatal ultrasound or ultrasound.
Have you ever heard that your grandfather did an ultrasound to check the status of your blood vessels, suffering heart problems, and a companion work also had indicated this study, but because he had liver problems. Now, are you happy with your pregnancy and your doctor asked you to give you an ultrasound or ultrasound, then you ask yourself: “I have a problem, why ask me for an ultrasound?”. Read the rest of this entry »
Prenatal Screening Tests | Tests during the third trimester of pregnancy
Strep test: During this test a sample of vaginal and rectal mom to detect the presence of beta-hemolytic streptococcus bacteria group B These bacteria may not cause symptoms but if the baby gets to go through the vaginal canal at the time of delivery, can cause dangerous infections that can be fatal or can cause mental retardation, problems with vision or hearing. If you test positive, you will be given antibiotics during labor to prevent the baby from infection.
Fetal heart monitoring: This test is done after 20 weeks of pregnancy and during labor and delivery. The reason? Indicates whether the fetus is well or have some kind of problem.
If you have a multiple pregnancy, diabetes or high blood pressure may be other more specialized tests to closely evaluate the condition of the baby or babies. Read the rest of this entry »
Prenatal Screening Tests | Tests during the second trimester of pregnancy
Ultrasound: Also known as ultrasound or sonogram, this diagnostic test through images can be made at any time during pregnancy, but often is offered at 20 weeks. The reasons for having an ultrasound or ultrasound are several: to measure the size of the fetus to predict your date of birth, diagnose a multiple pregnancy, placenta previa investigate complications and other malformations, view their bodies, to detect the sex and know their features. There are now three-dimensional ultrasound which let you see your baby in more detail.
Evidence of alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum (MSAFP) and multiple marker test: You can do one of two tests and the objective is to detect the possibility of defects in the baby’s spine or existence (or not) of Down syndrome when the doctor recommends. The alpha-fetoprotein test measures the presence of this substance (in the amniotic fluid, fetal blood and breast) produced by the fetus during its development. Read the rest of this entry »
Prenatal Screening Tests | Tests during the first trimester of pregnancy
If when you found out you were pregnant, among the first things you thought you had is to make an appointment with the doctor, I congratulate You did great! It is necessary throughout your pregnancy, the doctor is closely monitoring your health and your baby. Here’s a guide to the tests or routine prenatal tests you should ask yourself when you’re expecting a baby.
Prenatal tests are done to get information about your health and your baby before birth. The different tests are done to prevent or predict problems during pregnancy or to control certain conditions that can affect your health and your baby. Each trimester of pregnancy requires different tests. Some of these tests are designed for all pregnant women and others that are more specialized and are depending on your age and personal and family history. To not take you by surprise, notes prenatal examinations necessary for you to increase the chances that your pregnancy is healthy: Read the rest of this entry »
Analysis of Maternal Serum | The Causes of False Alarm
Keep in mind that the test measures the risk and potential false positives can occur. Among the causes of these false alarms can be:
The miscalculation of gestational age is not always known as the time of ovulation and conception, can miscalculate gestational week in which the test is performed (eg, counting from the first day of last menstruation that would not have the previous two weeks from ovulation to the beginning of the period). Since the values of these substances fluctuate from week to week, levels may correspond or not and hence the false positive.
Problems with the placenta, the baby may be producing normal levels of these substances, but the placenta may not adequately filter the blood stream (blood). Read the rest of this entry »
Analysis of Maternal Serum
The analysis of maternal serum. What is it and what the measures?
This is an optional test which measure from one to four substances in maternal blood: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-chorionic gonadotropin (HCG which is abbreviated in English or hCG), unconjugated estriol (a type of estrogen) and inhibin A, produced by the fetus and the placenta.
How it works?
It analyzes a blood sample from the mother and measured the amount of these substances. By combining the results with the pregnant woman’s age and ethnicity, determine the likelihood of chromosomal abnormalities that affect health and development of the baby. Read the rest of this entry »
When a clinical test of pregnancy is an abnormal result. What can be expected?
Since pregnancy is confirmed, a long and necessary number of obstetric visits and regular control tests to check that everything is developing properly. A routine test is the analysis of serum (blood) mother. Each year, many women receive the news that the test had a result irregular. Fortunately, many of these results are false positives that trigger a false alarm, but you must know exactly what risks and consequences associated with these results.
When a woman misses her period and suspect that it is a pregnancy as the fertilized egg has been multiplying and developing at full speed. By this time, this initial group of cells has become an embryo and by the end of the first quarter, about 12 weeks, is already a fully formed fetus that weighs one-half to 1 ounce (14 and 28 gr) and measured between 3 and 4 inches (8 to 10.5 cm). Although the fetus can not survive independently, and has trained all its organs and systems. Read the rest of this entry »