Prenatal Care

Are Ultrasounds Safe in Pregnancy?

How safe are ultrasounds in pregnancy?

Ultrasounds, which were once considered a routine part of pregnancy, have many moms questioning whether or not they need this form of prenatal testing. While many expectant mothers look forward to seeing their baby on the ultrasound screen, some are choosing to decline the use of ultrasound since it is not typically medically necessary. Still, there is something reassuring about seeing your baby bouncing around on that screen, and ultrasounds offer the chance to discover the gender and screen for a wide range of abnormalities. But you should do a little research to ensure that your ultrasound is a safe experience for both you and your baby.
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Cordocentesis – Fetal Blood Sampling

by DP Nguyen 2 Comments

Cordocentesis – also called fetal blood sampling, Percutaneous Umbilical Cord Blood Sampling (PUBS), and umbilical vein sampling – is a highly specialized diagnostic test performed in the second trimester to check for genetic defects in the developing baby.

During a cordocentesis, a doctor will remove a blood sample from the baby’s umbilical cord. (This is why this diagnostic procedure is often referred to as fetal blood testing, or fetal blood sampling).

Amniocentesis

by DP Nguyen 2 Comments

If you’re over 35 or at risk for having a baby with a birth defect, your obstetrician or healthcare provider may recommend that you have a prenatal diagnostic test called an amniocentesis. There are risks that come with an amniocentesis that you should be aware of, so you need to do your research before deciding whether to consent to this second trimester prenatal test.

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Prenatal Testing

by DP Nguyen 2 Comments

All pregnant women ask the question, “Is my baby healthy?” We all agonize over whether we’re eating all the right foods, if we’re doing anything that could harm the baby, and we even suffer through many uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms just so we can greet our baby in nine months. Your baby’s health and development is important, since we all want to have healthy, happy babies.

Although most babies are born healthy and normal, there are some babies who may need special care due to genetic disorders, prematurity, and etc. Many health problems can be detected during pregnancy through the help of prenatal testing.

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Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): Risks vs. Benefits

by DP Nguyen 2 Comments

If you have a family history of genetic problems, or you are over 35 years old, your midwife or OB/GYN will recommend that you undergo a prenatal diagnostic test to identify genetic abnormalities in your baby. Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis are two common diagnostic tests that your healthcare provider may recommend.

In this article, I will be discussing the risks and benefits of chorionic villus sampling – also known as CVS testing. Some women with a family history of a genetic disorder choose to have chorionic villus sampling, rather an amniocentesis, because it is performed in the first trimester so you will get your results sooner.

What to Expect at Your First Pregnancy Ultrasound

by Guest Writer 7 Comments

Guest post by Junou.

Are you having a first pregnancy ultrasound? What an exciting milestone in your pregnancy. Here is what you should expect to happen during the first ever ultrasound in pregnancy.

At your first pregnancy ultrasound, a technician will use ultrasound equipment to take internal images of your fetus. These images will help determine the age of the fetus, the gender, and when you should expect the birth of your child. Your technician may use these pictures to detect any problems with the fetus. Usually, pregnant women have their first ultrasound at 16 to 20 weeks, yet some have when they are four to five weeks pregnant.
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