labor & birth focused care


takes care of babies born prematurely or babies born with complications. Which additional tests might your pro- vider or others to whom you are referred recommend? Some common tests follow.


Blood Tests Some tests measure the level of alpha- fetoprotein (a protein produced by the fetus) in the mother’s blood. The results may provide information about chromosomal abnormalities (such as those that lead to Down syndrome) or potential birth defects of the brain or spinal cord (open neural tube defects). Your provider may also recommend a glucose challenge or a glucose tolerance test. Such tests measure the levels of sugar, or glucose, in the mother’s blood to help diagnose diabetes that develops during preg- nancy (gestational diabetes).


Additional Ultrasounds In addition to routine ultrasounds, additional ultrasounds may be indicated for various reasons at any point during pregnancy. Ultra- sound uses sound waves to look inside the uterus and can look for fetal abnormalities,


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  behavior and activity, monitor fetal growth or any number of other reasons.


Amniocentesis This is a procedure in which a small sample  fetus is removed. This test allows diagnosis of chromosomal disorders and open neural tube defects.


Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) This is a test in which a small sample of the placenta is removed and tested for chro- mosomal abnormalities and other genetic problems.


Fetal Monitoring This test may be conducted just before your baby is born or during labor. Fetal monitor- ing checks the rate and the rhythm of the fetal heartbeat either by using a fetoscope, a special kind of stethoscope, or ultrasound. Your provider will give you clear explana- tions about her concerns, what to anticipate throughout the remainder of your pregnancy


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