During the initial prenatal visit, risk factors for potential obstetric complications are assessed to allow for the implementation of preventive measures.
initial prenatal visit uses a combination of maternal history and prenatal testing to identify patients at risk for obstetric complications.
| Routine prenatal laboratory tests (summary) | |
|---|---|
| Initial prenatal visit | • Rh(D) type & antibody screen |
| • Hemoglobin/hematocrit, MCV, ferritin | |
| • HIV, VDRL/RPR, HBsAg, anti-HCV Ab | |
| • Rubella & varicella immunity | |
| • Urine culture | |
| • Urine dipstick for protein | |
| • Chlamydia & Nisseria PCR (if risk factors are present) | |
| • Pap test (if screening indicated) | |
| 24-28 wks | • Hemoglobin/hematocrit |
| • Antibody screen if Rh(D)-negative | |
| • 1-hr 50-g GCT | |
| 36-38 wks | • Group B Streptococcus rectovaginal culture |
Prenatal testing can be routine (eg, HIV screen, maternal blood typing) or risk based.
Pregnancy and exercise advices
Nutrition in pregnancy advices
Trimester visits screening
<aside> 💡 In the third trimester as the cervix undergoes physiologic dilation and effacement closer to term, and therefore measurements do not predict preterm delivery.
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Screening for hemoglobinopathies via hemoglobin electrophoresis during pregnancy is indicated for patients with anemia (hemoglobin <11 g/dL in pregnancy) and a mean corpuscular volume <80 fL.