Antenatal Fetal Testing

Antenatal fetal testing is completed during pregnancy to help your doctor or midwife monitor and evaluate the health of both you and your baby. At most prenatal visits, this testing will include blood pressure monitoring, urine testing and screening for signs of abnormal swelling. Additional tests may be recommended based on your age, health status, medical history, personal preferences and due date. Antenatal fetal testing is used both to screen for and to diagnose health conditions. In addition to blood pressure and urine tests, antenatal fetal testing may include: ultrasounds, amniocentesis, alpha-fetoprotein testing, chorionic villus sampling, and blood tests for anemia, treatable viruses and bacteria and Rh factor testing. This testing may help detect anemia, HIV, syphilis, Rubella, Group beta strep, gestational diabetes, fetal growth and positioning issues, genetic disorders, spina bifida, abdominal wall defects and chromosomal abnormalities.