Pregnancy Tests

Beta Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin (HCG) Test. This is a hormone that is only present during pregnancy. It is the hormone that is tested for when you have a urine pregnancy test. Sometimes blood tests are taken to measure this hormone in your blood.

You may eat and drink normally before having this test.

 

Antenatal Tests

Antenatal Blood Tests. Routine blood tests will be performed at your first antenatal doctor visit and during your pregnancy. Amongst other things, these tests will establish your blood type and group.

 

Blood Glucose Tests. Sometimes a type of diabetes called gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) develops in the second half of pregnancy. If you are 24 -28 weeks pregnant, you will probably be tested for this. You will be given a special drink and a blood sample will be taken one hour later.

You may eat and drink normally before having this test.

 

If this test indicates that you might have GDM, you will then have the Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) to confirm that you have GDM.

You will have to fast (not eat or drink) overnight before this test, then you will be given a glucose drink. Blood samples will be taken before you have the drink and two hours after.

 

Neonatal Blood Tests

Sometimes a sample of blood is collected from the umbilical cord at birth and tested. If your baby has jaundice (yellowing of the skin), blood samples may be taken to measure the levels of bilirubin.