Routine Blood Tests:

Doctor has asked mamma to do some blood tests as a precautionary measures. I think after 3months are completed doctor recommends to get the routine bloodwork done to check some details.

The following are the list of tests that mamma will have to do:

• Blood group
  
• Rhesus (Rh) factor
  
• Iron levels
  
• Blood sugar
  
• Hepatitis B
  
• Toxoplasmosis
  
• Syphilis
  
• German measles (rubella)
  
• Cytomegalovirus (CMV)
  
• Herpes simplex virus (HSV)
  

The following are some information which she found out from net regarding these tests:

Blood group

It's important to know your blood group in case you need a transfusion during pregnancy or labour. Blood group O is the most common; groups A, B, and AB are less so.

Rhesus (Rh) factor

Your doctor needs to know whether you are Rhesus positive, which means that you have a certain protein on the surface of your red blood cells, or Rhesus negative, which means that you don't. If you are Rhesus negative and your partner is positive, there's a good chance that your baby will be Rh positive. In this case, your body might produce antibodies, which start to destroy his red blood cells.

Iron levels

A blood test can tell you if your haemoglobin levels are low, which is a sign of anaemia. If you're anaemic, your doctor will talk to you about the best foods to eat (such as lean meat, dried fruits and spinach) to boost your iron stores. You might also be prescribed iron tablets. Your haemoglobin levels will be checked again at 28 weeks, but if you suffer a lot from fatigue at any point during pregnancy, your doctor will arrange for a blood test earlier to see if you are anaemic.

Blood sugar

Your blood can indicate the level of sugar in your body. If you have a family history of diabetes or are overweight, you may develop gestational diabetes.

Hepatitis B

You could be a carrier of the hepatitis B virus and not even know it, so a blood test is often the only way to find out for certain. If you pass the disease on to your baby either before or after he is born, his liver could be seriously damaged. Babies at risk of catching the hepatitis B virus from their mothers can be given injections of antibodies as soon as they are born to protect them.

Toxoplasmosis

Toxoplasmosis is an infection, which spreads through cat faeces and undercooked meat.
Your blood will be tested for this disease. Severe cases of the infection can stunt the growth of the baby in the womb, and cause miscarriage and premature labour.

The TORCH panel of tests is routinely conducted to rule out toxoplasmosis, syphilis, rubella, cytomegalovirus (CMV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Syphilis

This sexually transmitted disease is fairly rare nowadays, but if you have it and it isn't treated during pregnancy, it could cause abnormalities in your baby. The blood test for syphilis, called the VDRL, is, in general, an accurate test, but it can sometimes produce a false positive result, particularly if the woman being tested has lupus.

German measles (rubella)

Most pregnant women are immune to German measles because they've either been vaccinated against it or they've had the disease as a child. If you aren't immune, you'll be advised to avoid anyone who has or might have the infection. This is because if you catch German measles during pregnancy, your baby's heart, sight, and hearing could be seriously affected.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV is a viral infection that can be passed on to the foetus. It may lead to hearing loss or mental retardation.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

It is one of the most common viral infections that produce painful sores on the mouth or in the genital area. It may lead to permanent brain damage in the baby.