Prenatal Assessment

A number of assessments are suggested to women as part of their routine

prenatal care to find conditions that may increase the risk of complications for the
mother and fetus (Eisenberg, Murkoff, & Hathaway, 1996). These can include
blood and urine analyses and screening and diagnostic tests for birth defects.

Ultrasound is one of the main screening tests done in combination with blood
tests. The ultrasound is a test in which sound waves are used to examine the fetus.
There are two general types. Transvaginal ultrasounds are used early pregnancy,
while transabdominal ultrasounds are more common and used after 10 weeks of
pregnancy (typically, 16 to 20 weeks). Ultrasounds are used to check the fetus for
defects or problems. It can also find out the age of the fetus, location of the
placenta, fetal position, movement, breathing and heart rate, amount of amniotic
fluid in the uterus, and number of fetuses. Most women have at least one ultra
sound during pregnancy, but if problems are noted, additional ultrasounds may
be recommended.

When diagnosis of a birth defect is necessary, ultrasounds help guide the more
invasive diagnostic tests of amniocentesis and chorionic villus
sampling. Amniocentesis is a procedure in which a needle is used to withdraw a
small amount of amniotic fluid and cells from the sac surrounding the fetus and
later tested. Chorionic Villus Sampling is a procedure in which a small sample of
cells is taken from the placenta and tested. Both amniocentesis and chorionic
villus sampling have a risk of miscarriage, and consequently they are not done
routinely.