Benitez, Gladys Jhaye P.

BSN 2-A

What are the different obstetrical laboratories or procedures related to pregnancy, delivery and labor?

When a woman becomes pregnant, it is recommended that she receives a range of standard
investigations. A first antenatal screen is required even if the woman is considering termination of
pregnancy.

First antenatal screen include:

 Complete blood count gives information on a number of hematological parameters, but

generally in pregnancy the most useful are the hemoglobin, platelets and white blood cell count
 Blood group and antibody screen identifies ABO blood group, rhesus D status and red cell
antibodies in pregnant women which are important to prevent “hemolytic disease of the
newborn” in subsequent pregnancies.
 Rubella antibody tests can cause birth defects if you are infected during pregnancy. Your blood
can show whether you have been infected with rubella or if you have been vaccinated against
this disease.
 Sexually Transmitted Infections. Everyone is tested for syphilis early in pregnancy. You should
also be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea if you are under age 25 or if you are at increased risk
for getting STIs. These tests are done early in pregnancy because these infections can cause
complications for you and your fetus.
 Hepatitis B serologic testing involves measurement of several hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific
antigens and antibodies. Mothers who are HBeAg positive will become carriers and will be more
likely to develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure or liver cancer.
 HIV screening is used detect if the women is HIV positive. HIV can be spread from a mother to
her baby during pregnancy, delivery, or from breastfeeding.
 Urine culture looks for bacteria in your urine, which can be a sign of a UTI. This test is done
because sometimes UTIs do not cause symptoms.

Second antenatal screen (26-28 weeks) include:

 50 g glucose tolerance test (the “polycose” test) is used to screen for gestational diabetes. A 50
g glucose load is given to the non-fasting patient, and a glucose level is determined after one
hour. Women with an elevated result should be followed up with a 75 g oral glucose tolerance
test (OGTT).
 Repeat CBC, antibody screening, and urine culture

Last antenatal screen (35-37 weeks) include:

 Vaginal swab is a technique to obtain a sample of vaginal discharge for microscopy and for
culture and sensitivity testing.
 Repeat urine culture
These procedures during labor and delivery are needed to guarantee a safe and healthy birth includes:

 Episiotomy is a cut in the skin between the vagina and anus. It is done if the baby’s head or
shoulders are too big or if the baby needs to deliver quickly if there are concerns about the
heart rate.
 Artificial Rupture of Membranes is done after the baby’s head has moved down into the pelvis.
The doctor makes a hole in the membranes. This allows the amniotic fluid to leak out.
 Intrauterine Pressure Catheter is a thin, flexible tube with a small device on the tip that senses
pressure. This helps the doctor check the strength of the contractions and how the contractions
affect the baby
 Internal Heart Rate Monitoring is the most accurate way to measure a baby's heart rate during
labor and it is used to determine if there are any problem with the baby’s heart rate.
 Forceps or Vacuum Assisted Delivery is a soft plastic cup that is placed on the top of the baby's
head and attached to a suction device. If the baby still does not move down the birth canal, we
stop using the vacuum or forceps and do a C-section instead.

SOURCES:

Procedures during labor and delivery | Essentia Health. (n.d.). (C)1998-2023 Geonetric. All Rights
Reserved. https://www.essentiahealth.org/services/obstetrics/labor-delivery/procedures-during-labor-
and-delivery/

Contrera, K. (2022, November 18). Syphilis Screening During Pregnancy: We Need To Do Better. Consult
QD. https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/syphilis-screening-during-pregnancy-we-need-to-do-better/

Routine laboratory testing during pregnancy - Best Tests Issue July 2011. (n.d.).
https://bpac.org.nz/bt/2011/july/pregnancy.aspx

Routine tests during pregnancy. (n.d.). ACOG. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/routine-tests-

during-pregnancy

Testing HIV positive during pregnancy. (n.d.). Doh. https://dchealth.dc.gov/Testing