I Am Offered Screening Tests, why?

Different screening tests are offered at different times during pregnancy.  

It can be an ultrasound scan, blood test or history (clinical) based assessment. Screening is done to allow the obstetrician to categorize whether the pregnancy is at higher chance, or risk, of a problem or not.

The tests can help decide further tests and care or treatment during pregnancy or after the baby's born.  This means earlier, possibly more effective, treatment or informed decisions.   

Let's say, advanced maternal age or a history of diabetes in the family can put one at risk for high blood pressure (preeclampsia) or pregnancy related diabetes respectively.

Screening literally means recognizing people at risk. It cannot diagnose the problem. However, it can be give the signal for the need for further investigations. The downside of screening tests is it cannot detect all the conditions.  Screening tests do not give us a yes or no answer. In most scenarios, further definitive tests will be required to confirm the diagnosis.

It is very important to understand that the risk assessments are derived from population-based data and modified by the individual’s test results. Once should understand the concept and the obstetrician or Geneticist should explain this in-depth to avoid misconception.

It is all about you and your unborn baby's safety to assure a smooth journey through the pregnancy and giving both parents that peace of mind.

Dr. Afshin PourMirza, MD, PhD
Medical Director

Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Feto Maternal Medicine Specialist

www.fetalmedicine.ae

Feto Maternal and GenetYX Center 

Your question…Am I pregnant?

You missed your period, a question comes into your mind, am I pregnant?  Next thing you do is take a pregnancy test by using one of those over the counters.  You got 2 lines!  Does this mean you are soon to be a mother? 

It is important to know what positive or negative result means.  If you get a positive result, you are pregnant, no matter how indistinct the line, color, or sign is.  Most of the time, since you doubt the result, you tend to repeat an over the counter pregnancy test.  If you get a positive result, a visit to the obstetrician and taking folic acid are advised.  In fact, if you are really planning to have a baby, you should start folic acid right away.

On your visit to the obstetrician, your blood will be taken to test for bhCG (beta-human chorionic gonadotropin).  This is a quantitative test wherein the result is given as a number, indicating the measured concentration of the hormone in the blood.  At this stage, your result will be <400mIU/ml.   You will be asked to comeback since the bhCG level usually doubles approximately every 2 days.  If the levels are getting high, it is a clear indication of pregnancy and you will therefore be scheduled for your ultrasound scan between 6-8 weeks.  

A trans-vaginal scan will be performed to:

• confirm a viable intrauterine pregnancy by achieving a visible embryo pole with a fetal heart beat
• know the age of the pregnancy by measuring the crown lump length (CRL) or measurement from the top of the head to the bottom of the fetus
• confirm if it is single or multiple pregnancies

An internal scan is needed.  In this way, the probe gets much closer to the womb thus a clearer image.  This is more commonly needed in the early stages of pregnancy, if the mother is overweight or have a retroverted uterus.

Dr. Afshin PourMirza, MD, PhD
Medical Director

Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Feto Maternal Medicine Specialist

www.fetalmedicine.ae

Feto Maternal and GenetYX Center