Pre-pregnancy Lab Testing

What is it? 

ABO Group is the letter portion of your blood type. This is determined by specific proteins called antigens that are located on your red blood cells.

Why is it important? 

Knowing your blood type can help ensure you receive the correct type of blood should you ever need a blood transfusion. A blood transfusion may be recommended during pregnancy if you have severe anemia or heavy bleeding.

What is it? 

The Rhesus (Rh) factor is the positive or negative portion of your blood type.  This is determined by a specific protein called Rh (D) that is located on your red blood cells.

Why is it important? 

It is important to know your Rh status before pregnancy to ensure that you receive appropriate management should you have any bleeding during pregnancy.

What is it?

An antibody is a specific protein produced in response to other proteins called antigens.  This antibody screen looks specifically for antibodies against foreign red blood cell proteins.

Why is it important?

It's important to know your red blood cell antibody status before pregnancy because some red blood cell antibodies can cause serious complications, such as fetal anemia, during pregnancy. 

What is it?

A complete blood count (CBC) measures your white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets. It also tells us about the characteristics of these cells, such as whether your red blood cells have enough iron.

Why is it important?

Knowing the levels of these cells before pregnancy can help you and your provider determine if you have any medical problems, such as anemia, clotting disorders, and certain blood cancers, that may negatively affect a pregnancy.

What is it?

Rubella is a flu-like illness that is spread through the air from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.  This test determines if you are immune to the rubella virus

Why is it important?

Rubella infection during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and premature birth.  If you are not immune, being vaccinated before pregnancy can help protect you and your baby.

What is it?

Varicella, also known as chicken pox, is an infection spread through contact with an infected person’s rash or through the air from an infected person’s cough or sneeze. This test determines if you are immune to the varicella virus.

Why is it important?

Varicella infection during pregnancy can cause your baby to have birth defects, blindness, and seizures. If you are not immune, being vaccinated before pregnancy can help protect you and your baby.

What is it?

Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR) is a screening test for syphilis, a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Why is it important?

It's important to know if you have syphilis before you become pregnant so that you and your partner can be treated. If left untreated, syphilis can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature labor, and neonatal death.

What is it?

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV can be transmitted sexually, through exposure to infected blood, or from a mother to her child during pregnancy, birth, or while breastfeeding.

Why is it important?

It's important to know if you have HIV before pregnancy so that you can start treatment. Women who have HIV can pass this infection to their babies during pregnancy, delivery, or breastfeeding if anti-HIV medication is not taken prior to and during pregnancy.

What is it?

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver caused by the Hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B can be sexually transmitted or spread through contact with blood from an infected person. This test can tell you if you currently have the Hepatitis B virus. 

Why is it important?

It's important to know if you have Hepatitis B before pregnancy so that you and your healthcare provider can discuss ways to decrease the risk of your baby getting Hepatitis B.

What is it?

Hepatitis C is an inflammation of the liver caused by the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Hepatitis C is usually spread through contact with blood or sexual activity with an infected person.

Why is it important?

It's important to know if you have Hepatitis C before you become pregnant so that you and your healthcare provider can discuss treatment options.  Women who have Hepatitis C at the time of pregnancy and/or delivery may pass this infection to their babies.  Receiving treatment before pregnancy is the best way to prevent passing on Hepatitis C.

What is it?

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Why is it important?

It's important to know if you have gonorrhea before you become pregnant so that you and your partner can be treated.  If left untreated, gonorrhea can cause a severe infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).  This infection can cause scar tissue to form in your pelvis and can increase your risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.

What is it?

Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI).

Why is it important?

It's important to know if you have chlamydia before you become pregnant so that you and your partner can be treated. If left untreated, chlamydia can cause a severe infection of the uterus and fallopian tubes called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). This infection can cause scar tissue to form in your pelvis and can increase your risk of infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and chronic pelvic pain.

What is it?

Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) is a hormone produced in your brain that tells the thyroid gland (located in your neck) to make thyroid hormone. TSH can tell us whether your thyroid is producing enough thyroid hormone.

Why is it important?

Women with an abnormal TSH level have a higher risk of infertility, miscarriage, and preeclampsia during pregnancy. If your TSH level is abnormal before pregnancy, you can take medication to prevent these complications.

What is it?

This test measures the level of Vitamin D in your body. Vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the U.S.

Why is it important?

Low vitamin D levels before pregnancy are associated with a lower rate of embryo implantation and a higher risk of preeclampsia. A low vitamin D level can easily be corrected but takes ~3 months to reach a normal level. Taking supplements to correct low vitamin D during the preconception period can help ensure that your vitamin D level is in the optimal range before you become pregnant.

What is it?

Hemoglobin A1c is a screening test for diabetes. It measures the average amount of glucose (sugar) in your blood over the past 4-6 weeks.

Why is it important?

Women with diabetes are more likely to have a baby with a birth defect, develop high blood pressure during pregnancy, and have a cesarean section. Knowing if you're at risk of diabetes before pregnancy can help you to plan for a healthier pregnancy.

What is it?

A lipid panel measures the different types of cholesterol in your body and how they relate to one another.

Why is it important?

Cholesterol levels naturally increase when you’re pregnant and therefore cannot be accurately evaluated during pregnancy. The best way to know what your cholesterol levels are is to measure them before pregnancy. Current studies show that there may be a link between abnormal cholesterol levels and a longer time to conception, an increased risk of preterm birth, and increased cholesterol levels in children.