Pre-Pregnancy care is the health care a woman gets before she becomes pregnant. Pre-Pregnancy care from our health care provider is also important to help a woman have as healthy a pregnancy as possible.

Prenatal care is the health care a woman gets during pregnancy. Early and regular prenatal visits with our health care provider are important for the health of both the mother and the fetus.

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Prenatal care is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of complications for both you and your little one, helping to reduce low birthweight and iron-deficiency anemia, which can lead to premature birth.

Depending on where you are in your pregnancy, prenatal appointments may include:

An estimated due date

• A review of your medical history

• A physical exam

• Blood tests

• Measuring your baby’s growth

• Checking your baby’s heartbeat

• Checking your blood pressure

• Recording your weight

• A urine sample, or urinalysis, to look for glucose (or sugar) which can indicate pre-existing type 2 diabetes, protein, which can be a sign of preeclampsia (pregnancy induced high blood pressure) and the presence of bacteria, which can indicate a urinary tract infection

• At least one ultrasound, possibly more

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Every woman has certain tests during pregnancy. Some women, depending on their age, family history, or ethnicity, may undergo additional testing.

Some tests are screening tests, and others are diagnostic tests. If your health care provider orders a screening test, keep in mind that such tests do not diagnose problems. They evaluate risk. So a screening test result that comes back abnormal does not mean there is a problem with your infant. It means that more information is needed. Your health care provider can explain what the test results mean and possible next steps.

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Some Tests that may be run based on your evaluation include:

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Glucose challenge screening. Usually given between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, this screening assesses your risk for gestational diabetes. You will consume a sugary drink and get a blood test 1 hour later to measure your blood sugar levels. If you are at high risk—for example, if you have a family history of diabetes, are obese, had a large baby in a previous pregnancy, or are having twins—you should discuss this with your health care provider get a test for blood glucose earlier in your pregnancy.

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Group B streptococcus (pronounced STREP-tuh-KOK-uhss) infection screening. This test is performed between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy to look for bacteria (GBS) that can cause pneumonia or other serious infections in your infant. Swabs will be used to take cells from your vagina and rectum. Women who test positive for GBS will need antibiotics when in labor.

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Ultrasound exam. You will likely have an ultrasound exam between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy to check for any problems with the developing fetus. During an ultrasound exam, gel is spread on your belly and a special tool is moved over it to create a "picture" of the fetus on a monitor.

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Urine test. At each prenatal visit, you will give a urine sample, which will be tested for signs of diabetes, urinary tract infections, and preeclampsia.

Glucose tolerance test. If the 1-hour glucose challenge screening is above a certain level, your health care provider may order this test. You will fast for at least 8 hours before the test. Your blood is drawn to test your "fasting blood glucose level." You will consume a sugary drink, and your blood will be taken every hour for 3 hours to see how your body reacts to the sugar. You may then be diagnosed with gestational diabetes.

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Non-stress test. This test is performed in the third trimester (28 weeks or later) to monitor the fetus's health. A belt placed around your belly measures the fetal heart rate while the fetus is at rest and while the fetus is moving or kicking. This test can determine if the fetus is getting enough oxygen.

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Biophysical profile (BPP). This test, given in the third trimester of pregnancy, monitors the fetus's breathing, movement, muscle tone, and heart rate as well as the amount of amniotic fluid to determine fetal well-being. The BPP includes an ultrasound test and a non-stress test.