Common Trimester Medical Exams

 
Common First Trimester Medical Exams:

The first visit of the mother's pregnancy is typically concerned with examining her overall health, identifying any possible risks to a healthy pregnancy, and establishing a rough estimate of the age of the fetus. The mother can expect to receive a physical that includes a cervical exam, and an examination of the shape of the uterus and ovaries. Blood will be taken in order to test for syphilis, rubella, Hepatitis B, AIDS, and Rh Factor. A blood count will also be done from the drawn blood. A urinalysis will also be done to test for various illnesses, infections, and protein and glucose levels. The mother will also be given a pap smear.

Common Second Trimester Medical Exams:

Up to the 28th week of pregnancy the mother will likely visit her physician once a month. More regular visits will be scheduled once the third trimester begins or earlier if the mother has a chronic illness or experienced complications in previous pregnancies. The second trimester examinations serve to monitor the baby's growth, predict a more accurate due date, and watch the health of both the mother and the baby. The mother should try to keep a record of various events such as the first time the baby kicks. This will help the mother's physician determine the age of the baby. The first kicks should be felt some time during the 20th week of the pregnancy. The mother's physician will also begin measuring the fundal height. This measurement is from the top of the mother's uterus to the top of her pubic bone. It calculates the age of the fetus and determines whether growth has been regular and healthy. Typically the measurement should increase by 0. 4 inches per week. The mother's blood pressure and weight will also be taken at each visit. It is standard to have an ultrasound performed in the second trimester. This exam looks for various things, including: twin or multiple births, fetal heart movements, the location of the placenta in the womb, amount of amniotic fluid, and measures the fetal head, abdomen, and femur to determine the age of the fetus. Between week 15 and 18 Alpha-fetoprotein testing is done. The baby creates this protein and it can eventually enter the mother's blood stream. Unusually high levels of the protein in your blood can signal problems such as spina bifida, anencephaly, or Down syndrome.

Common Third Trimester Medical Exams:

Typically during the 28th week of pregnancy (the first week of the third trimester), many of the exams that were performed in the first trimester are repeated to ensure that no complications have arisen and the mother's health as well as the baby's is not in jeopardy.

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