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16 Essential Blood Tests during First Trimester of Pregnancy
The very first step in pregnancy is a blood test to confirm the good news! After that, you may have to go through some blood tests to verify the levels of various components in the blood. In short, blood tests are a part of your first antennal visits.
Common First Trimester Blood Tests
Your doctor will suggest a few blood tests during your first prenatal visit. These tests are optional, but it is advisable to go for the tests as it gives the doctor an idea about your health. These blood tests may also highlight any potential problem that you may encounter during your pregnancy.
1. Blood Group
It is important for the doctor to determine your blood group in case you need a blood transfusion anytime during the pregnancy.
2. Rhesus (R) Factor
It is crucial for the doctor to determine if you are RhD positive or negative. If you are RhD positive, that means that a protein called D antigen is present on the surface of your red blood cells, whereas if you are RhD negative, then you don’t have the protein. In this case, your doctor may give you a shot of Rh immune globulin once during the pregnancy and another after the baby’s birth. This shot is particularly necessary if you are a Rh-negative mother carrying a Rh-positive baby (which the baby may have inherited from his/her father). In this case, if some of your baby’s blood enters your bloodstream, then your body will produce antibodies that will attack your baby’s red blood cells. To avoid this, your doctor may advise you to take immune globulin shot during the 28thweek of pregnancy.
3. Iron Levels
A blood test is also done to check your haemoglobin levels, which determines if you are iron deficient. During pregnancy, your body needs iron to produce enough haemoglobin that can carry oxygen to all parts of your body and the baby. Hence, if your blood test shows that you are iron deficient, then your doctor may give you iron supplement to make up for the deficiency.
4. Blood Sugar
Your doctor will be interested in checking your blood sugar through a blood test if you are overweight or if you have a history of diabetes. A blood test is done to determine if you have gestational diabetes.
5. Hepatitis B
Blood test helps the doctor to determine if you are a carrier or Hepatitis B. Now, this is critical because if your baby gets Hepatitis B from you, it may cause severe damage to her liver. In this scenario, the doctor will inject your baby with antibodies to protect her from Hepatitis B as soon as your baby is born.
6. HIV/AIDS
It is vital that all expecting mothers do an HIV and AIDS tests. If HIV or AIDS virus is detected in a mother-to-be, then necessary steps can be taken to ensure that the same does not get transmitted to the baby.
7. Syphilis
Syphilis poses a health risk both to the mother and the baby in the rare event that the mother is infected. If tested positive, the mother may be recommenced anti-biotics to treat it.
Which Other Blood Tests Should Be Done?
You may have to take some additional tests during the first trimester of your pregnancy. They are as follows:
1. Screening for Thyroid
During the first trimester of pregnancy, your doctor would want to determine your thyroid level. If you have hypothyroid or hyperthyroid, you will be kept under close monitoring throughout the pregnancy to ensure that your thyroid hormones stay under control as it is essential for the proper development of the baby.
2. Rubella (German measles)
Catching Rubella during pregnancy can hurt baby's heart, sight and hearing. While most women develop immunity against German Measles as kids, either through vaccination or by contracting it during childhood, there may be ones who have never got it and are at risk of getting Rubella during pregnancy. They must be very careful and stay away from anyone who has measles. There are no medicines or injections at this stage to prevent Rubella.
3. Combined Screening Test
This is a combination of blood test and a nuchal translucency scan that is done towards the end of the first trimester to determine if the baby has any genetic abnormalities like Downs syndrome. This is done alongside your normal scan for more specific results.
4. Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
A blood test is done to check if a virus called CMV infects you. A mother infected with this virus can pass it on to the foetus, and it may have severe implications for the developing baby like hearing loss or mental retardation.
5. Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C blood test is optional and usually suggested if you believe that you may be infected by Hepatitis C. This test is only done if the doctors observe any symptoms of Hepatitis C from you.
6. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
Herpes is a common and very painful infection that takes place in the mouth or the genital area. If not treated, it can cause brain damage in babies. Hence a blood test is done to check the presence of this infection in expecting mothers in case they show any symptoms of herpes.
7. Sickle Cell Disease and Thalassemia
Test for sickle cell disease or thalassemia is among the early pregnancy genetic blood test. Sickle cell disorder and thalassemia are two types of blood cell disorder can make you anaemic and can be passed on to your little one.
8. Toxoplasmosis
A toxoplasmosis infection may be passed on to the unborn baby f the mother contracts the infection in the first trimester, or in the first few week before conceiving, and it is this important to test for it. The infection may result in organ damage, miscarriage, or even stillbirth.
9. Screening for Vitamin D levels
A lack of the requisite amount of Vitamin D may cause weakened bones or abnormal growth in newborns, and increase the risk of complications such as preeclampsia in the mother-to-be. A test to determine the levels of vitamin D is thus often conducted in the first trimester.
What Blood Tests are Done at Home or the Collection Centre, Safely?
Big hospitals have their laboratories, and blood tests are done in these well-equipped labs. These days, many renowned labs offer to collect blood samples from home to save the patients from the trouble of moving out of bed when not well.
Many people worry about the safety of blood samples being collected from home and transported to the labs for the test. They assume that there are high chances of the results getting skewed in this scenario. But so far there is no definite evidence for the same.
Hence, all blood tests done at home or the collection centre are safe and accurate as long you chose a reputed laboratory.
Can You Request Additional Tests?
There are few conditions for which tests are not offered as a part of first-trimester screening blood test routine. In the following cases, you may request for an additional blood test.
If you have a pet at home and you feel that you are in danger of being infected with toxoplasmosis which usually spreads through cat poop, soil or undercooked meat, then you must request your doctor to test you for the same. Toxoplasmosis can damage a developing baby or can be a cause of miscarriage. Hence, you must be careful.
If you are worried about being infected by Group B strep, then you can ask your doctor to test you for the same in late pregnancy, around the 37th week. An infected mother can pass it on to her child who may fall very ill soon after birth.
If you feel that you are at the risk of contracting Hepatitis C, then you should approach your doctor for a blood test. Your chances of contracting hepatitis C are high if you have injected drugs in the past, or have tattoos and body piercings.
Will You Be Tested for Blood Cell Disorders?
Yes, as mentioned before, you will be offered to test for blood cells disorder like sickle cells disorder and Thalassemia. These disorders can make you anaemic, and you may also end up passing it to your little one. Usually, all pregnant women who live in an area where these conditions are common are offered to take the blood cells disorder tests. If you have a history of anaemia, you may as well let your doctor know in advance and offer to take up the blood cells disorder tests.
Blood tests are a routine procedure for hospitals as it helps the doctor gage any underlying medical conditions that you may have. Many of the issues, when detected early, can help the mother and child as the appropriate medication can be started at the earliest.
Also Read: Quadruple Marker Test During Pregnancy Read more
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Check This To See If Your Baby Has The Right Posture
Are you concerned about the progress in your baby’s posture as he grows? Do you want to check whether your baby’s posture and positions are correct as per his age group? If you nodded along positively, here's where you can learn about your baby and the correct posture he should adapt to as he grows a little more every month. Let's read more about correct posture, shall we?
When a baby is just born, checking for posture is a little premature as he cannot support himself just yet. But gradually, appropriate motor skill development helps your baby to learn and adapt to different progressive movements and positions every month. So, let’s have a look at some common postures that your baby should get used to as he grows.
Check these Baby Postures to See if Your Baby adopts the Right Postures for his Age-
1. Postures of a 3-month-old Baby
As your baby completes three months, he may learn to move himself and roll from his tummy to back. If you give your little one tummy time, you might find him making efforts to lift his head high. At this stage, your baby can even hold his head up with your support and learn to have control over his head movements.
2. Postures of a 4-month-old Baby
Your 4-months-old baby likes to reach up and grab whatever he can, such as rattles, small blocks, dangling rings, and other toys, and you may see him rolling far to reach a toy. As your infant completes four months, you can find him rolling from back to tummy and tummy to back. If you support your baby’s hips, lower back, and bottom, he can sit up with support.
3. Postures of a 5-month-old Baby
Around 5 months, your little one can move and hold his head up all by himself. Also, your baby can move his body with wriggling and rolling movements. Your 5-month-old can sit up with your support and use his hands to balance himself.
4. Postures of a 6-month-old Baby
As your baby completes six months, you can find him sitting up without your support for some time, using his arms to balance the sitting posture. Also, you will find your baby 'commando crawling' around the room, i.e. the initial stage of crawling.
5. Postures of a 7-month-old Baby
Your 7-month-old baby will have well-developed motor skills by now and you can see him sit on his own for a longer time than he used to a month back. Crawling, shuffling, bending, stretching the legs, and rolling are common movements and postures at this age. With your guidance, your 7-month-old can also stand for a short time.
6. Postures of an 8-month-old Baby
As your little one completes eight months, your baby builds good muscle strength for performing more complex postures and movements. You can see you baby pulling himself up to stand and walk.
7. Postures of a 9-month-old Baby
Your 9-month-old baby can easily crawl around the house. You can also find him putting a foot forward by holding on to the furniture or your hands, making an effort to walk.
8. Postures of a 10-month-old Baby
With the completion of 10-months, you can find your baby chasing you around by crawling rapidly and efficiently. Your 10-month-old has good muscle strength to perform complex movements, such as making efforts to stand on own for a while.
9. Postures of an 11-month-old Baby
This is the ideal time when your baby may take his first steps on his own as he completes eleven months. Your baby can already hold onto furniture and stand by himself. As walking is quite tiring for your 11-month-old, you can see him walking a few steps on his own before he resorts to crawling again.
10. Postures of a One-year-old Baby
By the time your baby turns one year old, you can find him riding a small baby tri-cycle with your help. Now, your baby has fully-developed motor skills and he can sit, crawl, stand, and walk easily without any concerns. Read more
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Coffee Walnut Muffins
Coffee and walnut together lend a robust flavor to these bite-sized breads. They go well with both, coffee and tea. These old-fashioned muffins tend to turn out a little denser than the store-bought ones. Also, they aren’t very sweet, so you can engage in without guilt. After you finish the third (may be fourth, fifth) one, just think about the nutritional aspect it carries. The nutritional justification you give yourself will help you down one more.
Serves
Preparation Time
Cooking Time
4 People
15-20 Minutes
40-45 Minutes
Ingredients
2 cups self raising flour (flour with baking powder)
1 tablespoon of instant coffee powder
2 tablespoons hot water
½ cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
¼ th cup of chopped walnuts
250 ml skimmed milk
2 eggs
60 ml vegetable oil
2 tablespoons of coffee and sugar crystals
½ tsp baking powder
Method
Step 1
The oven should be pre- heated to 180 degree C. If you are using a microwave, switch to the convection mode and then pre-heat it. Take a muffin pan, grease it with butter or line it with paper cases.
Step 2
Take a bowl and add flour, sugar, cinnamon powder and chopped walnuts. Mix it thoroughly.
Step 3
In another bowl, mix oil, milk and eggs. Give it a nice whisk.
Step 4
Take the coffee powder in a bowl of hot water and beat it vigorously.
Step 5
Next, mix all the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and add beaten coffee.
Step 6
Now, pour the mixture into the muffin pan and place a walnut on top of each muffin.
Step 7
Dust a little powdered sugar over each muffin and bake in oven for 15 minutes.
Step 8
Remove from oven, and let it cool. Serve warm.
Nutritional Information
Calories
304 Kcal
Proteins
10.4 gm
Total Fat
6.6 gm
Total Carbohydrates
50.8 gm
Cholesterol
37 mg
Sodium
114 mg
Potassium
39 mg
Tip -You can even use gluten free flour to make the muffins. Read more
Ankita Mehta has added a new answer
Expecting Mom due in 4 months
8 hours ago
Q. 22 week pregnant,baby konse month me or din me kitni baar move kartaa he ,pls bataye abhi sirf 2, 3 baar hi hota he
Ankita Mehta
Mom of a 8 yr 7 m old girl
6 hours ago
A. hi
yes it's enough
and the frequency and timing may vary as we all are different
but yes, the frequency of feeling baby movements will increase now
please go for regular check-up to your gynecologist
and follow his or her suggestions
Rashmi has added a new answer
Trying To Conceive
7 hours ago
Q. hi
need help and advice
my RT 18x16mm and LT 10x16mm ET 6.59
and did ovulation rest also showing fertility test C as if now , pls advice if we intercourse tomorrow then when will be my ovulation start.
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
7 hours ago
A. You can check with an ovulation kit if it is positive then you can certainly go ahead with the conception because ovulation kit is going to give you 100% clarity whether you are ovulating or not with that you can try practising if you can conceive the same time
Abhaya Rajput has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
6 hours ago
Q. I am having hb level 8.6, how to improve my hb level
Abhaya Rajput
Mom of a 14 yr 4 m old boy
11 mins ago
A. Hello there ma’am please do not worry about it too much. Please eat iron and calcium rich food items like spinach and pomegranate. You can also take iron rich supplements but only after consulting with your doctor. Please drink Shaadmani Blue fusion green tea which is good in this condition. Also take eggs and chicken and drink chicken soup. Please take lots of green vegetables and dairy products and soaked almonds.
Thanks and take care
Dr Ghouse has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
3 hours ago
Q. Bread feeding mother can have green tea
Dr Ghouse
Paediatrician
2 hours ago
A. absolutely no problem to have green tea ok. if there is no relief it is better you see your doctor for proper examination particularly physical examination if there is need for doing investigations to find out the problem and treatment ok
Rashmi has added a new answer
Guardian of 0 children
2 hours ago
Q. In my growth scan doctor found that 2 round cord has been partly around baby necks. Is there any problem with this. will I get normal delivery?
Rashmi
Mom of a 9 yr 7 m old girl
2 hours ago
A. A lot of times normal delivery is actually seen in these cases also if the doctor is quick and the child cooperate then yes normal delivery is very much possible but some doctors don’t take a chance with the health of your child and so they normally suggest C-section so let’s see what’s your situation by the end when you are into your labour
Sunita Mahato has added a new answer
Mom of a 1 m old child
1 hour ago
Q. #asktheexperts How to increase quantity of milk production?
Sunita Mahato
Mom of 3 children
1 hour ago
A. to increase milk take latction supplement as lactare...
take green papaya bottle gourd bitter gourd fennel seeds garlic oats ragi dalia sabudana ...
regular pumping increase milk use Babyhug electric breast pump...
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