Congratulations, you’ve gotten a positive on your pregnancy test kit, and you’re now a mum- and dad-to-be! In 9 months (give or take a few days), your baby boy or girl will be unleashed unto the world, and there’s definitely a lot to do and prepare in advance!
But, for the moment, now what? Schedule an appointment with an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, and listen to their advice on what you two should do during your pregnancy. One part of pregnancy that we’ll be looking at today will be the prenatal screenings and tests that you’ll have to do. There’ll be quite a bit of them, but you and your ob-gyn will be able to come up with a doable schedule.
Why Do Prenatal Screenings and Tests?
These tests are performed during pregnancy to ensure the health of both mummy and her baby, and to find out if baby has any conditions, or the risk of them happening. If there are any conditions present and aren’t taken care of, mum and baby could be at risk. Each test allows your doctor to keep track of your pregnancy and ensure that you’re both healthy and doing well.
First Trimester Tests
1. Blood Tests
During your first pregnancy visit, your doctor should ask you to do a Full Blood Count test. It’s mainly done to check if you have anaemia or thalassaemia. Other blood tests that can be done are: Hepatitis B, Rubella immunity, syphilis, and HIV.
Procedure: Blood sample will be drawn at the clinic
Costs: Depending on your clinic charges
2. Dating Scan
This ultrasound scan can be done from 6 to 12 weeks, and lets you know if your baby is in the right position, if you’re expecting more than one baby, which stage of pregnancy you’re in, and your expected due date. It also checks for any potential abnormalities in the structure of your baby’s bones and organs.
Procedure: Ultrasound scan
Costs: Depending on your doctor’s charges
3. One Stop Clinic for the Assessment of Risk (OSCAR)
Usually done from 11 to 13 weeks, it’s also known as OSCAR. This is a first trimester option offered to all pregnant women as an earlier and more accurate method of screening for risk of fetal anomalies, in particular, Down’s Syndrome.
Accuracy: 90% with 5% false positive
Procedure: Ultrasound measurement of fetal NT (thickness of fluid-filled area behind fetal’s neck) and a blood sample will be drawn
Costs: $340 - $380
4. Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPT)
There are 2 types of NIPT in Singapore – Harmony Test (can be done as early as 10 weeks) and Panorama Test (as early as 9 weeks).
The tests analyse the DNA in a sample of your blood to predict the risk of Down Syndrome (trisomy 21) and two other genetic conditions, trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau Syndrome).
The 2 tests can also determine the gender of the fetus.
Accuracy: 99% with 0.1% false positive
Procedure: Blood sample will be drawn
Costs: $1,200 - $1,400
Remember to check with your gynaecologist on which screening is most suitable for you.
Second Trimester Tests
1. Foetal Anomaly Screening Scan (FA Scan)
This scan can be done from 18 to 21 weeks, and is a much more detailed ultrasound scan with the goal of examining your baby’s anatomy for major anomalies. They’ll focus on the brain, face, spine, heart, lungs, stomach, bowel, kidneys, limbs, genitalia, and umbilical cord. The growth of your baby, amount of amniotic fluid, placental position, and uterine blood flow are also assessed during this scan.
Procedure: Ultrasound screening of the fetus
Cost: About $280
2. Glucose Screening
This is usually done from 24 to 28 weeks, and checks for gestational diabetes – a condition that could develop during your pregnancy, and is usually temporary. As with all glucose tests, you’ll be required to fast for at least 8 hours.
This test has been made compulsory at some hospitals (KKH and SGH). Your gynaecologist should advice you accordingly.
Procedure: You’ll be asked to drink a glucose solution and blood sample will be drawn
Cost: $20 - $40
Third Trimester Tests
1. 3D or 4D Scans
These scans are more for parents to have as a keepsake of their unborn baby rather than for medical reasons. The 3D scan is a three dimensional photograph of the baby, whilst a 4D scan is a video of the baby. The best time to obtain a good picture of the baby’s face is between 26 – 32 weeks.
Procedure: Ultrasound scan
Cost: $250 - $350
2. Growth Scan
This is usually done from 28 to 32 weeks, and checks the growth of your baby and its positioning for labour. The position of the umbilical cord and the amount of amniotic fluid is also taken into account.
Procedure: Ultrasound scan
Costs: Depending on your doctor’s charges
And that should about wrap it up for the scans that you’ll have to go through during pregnancy!
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Image credit: Casper Women's Care
