A pregnancy blood test is said to be a medical test that can confirm the presence of human chorionic gonadotropin or hCG, which is the hormone produced by your fetus in the system. It is usually given during the first visit to your prenatal doctor at a private clinic in Harley Street for confirming the results of at-home pregnancy test.
HCG pregnancy blood tests seem to be much more sensitive than the type of urine test performed at home. So, they will allow you and your provider to know that you are already pregnant. You may get regular bloodwork during pregnancy that can help to detect:
- Your hCG levels – The blood test for hCG will detect pregnancy with more than 99 percent accuracy within the first week after conception. With the help of a pregnancy blood test, you can detect any hCG into the blood stream to confirm your pregnancy. This also measures the exact amount of hCG present in the system as hCG levels may change with pregnancy. It may be used to screen for specific pregnancy complications and presence of several embryos.
- Sexually transmitted infections –This test will include – hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis.
- Immunity to some diseases – This means chickenpox or varicella and rubella titers.
- Deficiency of Vitamin D – There might probably be some kind of deficiency of Vitamin D.
- Your type of blood – You require a transfusion during some point.
- The Rh factor – Rh incompatibility with the baby might be dangerous when not detected but it can be treated if you are among the small minority of women who have been affected.
Based on your health risk factors, the provider may include other tests for certain things such as:
- Probable genetic disorders – This consists of sickle cell anemia, hemoglobinopathy, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and other genetic diseases when you had not been screened before conception.
- Your blood sugar – In case you had gestational diabetes, are obese, had a large baby during earlier pregnancy, had a family record of diabetes or other risk factors related to gestational diabetes. So you need to perform a blood sugar test.
Pregnancy blood test or urine pregnancy test?
A pregnancy blood tests for hCG seem to be more sensitive and accurate than a urine pregnancy test. So, if the at-home pee test is positive, then your practitioner might ask to perform an hCG blood test for confirming this happy news.
Blood tests might pick uphCG early than urine tests, say within six to eight days after your ovulation. This might be of great help for women who need to undergo fertility treatments. And it can denotes if the treatment has helped you to conceive.
Blood testing needed in pregnancy?
A Routine blood work at the time of pregnancy means every would-be-mom need to do these private blood tests in London at the start of pregnancy and beyond.
Based on your present health condition and other risk factors, the provider might suggest additional blood tests to detect screening for fetal uncertainties or probable complications. Together, you will be able to decide on the right testing for your pregnancy case.
How blood testing will be done during pregnancy?
A pregnancy blood test is done with the technician inserting a needle into the vein and collecting the blood into vials. The entire process requires only a few minutes. You might feel little pinch when the needle gets inserted. Some people suffer from lightheaded or dizziness when the blood gets collected.
Results of pregnancy blood test?
Is the test result positive for hCG in your blood? If yes, then many congratulations to you as you are already pregnant. When the test result us negative for hCG, this means women has not yet conceived. In case the test fails to detect any hCG and the provider doubts you are pregnant. In this case he/she will ask to perform the test again an a week. Now, if you have already conceived, then the blood hCG levels will be higher and this can be detected easily.
If you need to do a quantitative hCG test, then the results will tell exactly about theh CGlevel present in your bloodstream. There is a wide range for normal counts and two pregnant women’s levels cannot be exactly the same. If your levels are higher, then this might mean you will give birth to twins.
The thing is that your pregnancy is progressing at a normal pace. And your the hCG levels will go up until 7 to 12 weeks of your pregnancy. In case there are any issues, you and your practitioner will sit together to ensure you have a healthy and safe pregnancy. Different sexually transmitted infections can be managed and treated easily. In case your blood type is Rh negative, you will get RhoGAM shots at the time of pregnancy and delivery to protect baby from probable Rh incompatibility.
If test indicates you are at risk for diabetes, then your doctor will suggest a suitable plan. And you should consult with a dietician to make food choices that are sugar friendly.
On the other hand, if the results of bloodwork suggest probable abnormality or genetic disorder. In this situation you will possibly have to perform further testing. Your doctor will help to know about the pros and cost of several diagnostic test. The tests can include amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
Risks Factors?
Pregnancy blood tests are quite safe and won’t lead to major side effects. But the needle might pinch and you may even experience temporary bruising at your injection site. You may even experience dizzy, nauseous or faint at the time of blood draw. In this case you may feel nervous for taking blood.
It is advised that you must take slow and deep breaths during the process which will make you feel relaxed. Your first pregnancy blood test at a private medical centre in London can re-confirm the happy news that you have already conceived and will become a mom soon.