During your pregnancy, your healthcare provider will order a variety of diagnostic tests to ensure the health of you and your baby.
You’ll have a variety of blood tests throughout your pregnancy. Routine blood tests can either diagnose or screen for:
- Rh factor (Rh positive or Rh negative)
- Anemia (low red blood cell count)
- Rubella (German Measles) immunity status
- Diabetes
- Hepatitis
- Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV, the virus that cause Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, or AIDS)
- Sexually transmitted diseases
In addition to the standard blood tests, most doctors recommend that your blood be tested twice for abnormal hormone levels associated with certain birth defects. These blood draws can usually be done at the same time as your routine blood testing, saving you trips to the lab.