What medical tests are required during pregnancy?
Sep 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Lu
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, prenatal examinations should be carried out progressively according to gestational age. Core tests mainly include routine blood tests, ultrasound examinations, Down syndrome screening, gestational diabetes screening, and fetal heart rate monitoring. During the examination period, it is important to truthfully inform the doctor about your own health status, while maintaining a regular作息 (作息 should be translated as "routine" or "daily schedule") and balanced diet to provide favorable conditions for the healthy development of the fetus.
Generally, prenatal examinations should progress according to gestational age, with core tests including routine blood tests, ultrasound examinations, Down syndrome screening, gestational diabetes screening, and fetal heart rate monitoring. A detailed breakdown is as follows:
1. Routine Blood Test: A routine blood test is required early in pregnancy to measure indicators such as red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin. This test helps determine whether the pregnant woman has anemia, infection, or abnormal blood clotting function.
2. Ultrasound Examination: Ultrasound examinations are conducted throughout different stages of pregnancy. In early pregnancy, ultrasound can confirm intrauterine pregnancy, exclude ectopic pregnancy, and clarify the location of the gestational sac as well as the presence of embryo and fetal heart activity. During mid-pregnancy, a detailed anomaly scan can detect structural abnormalities in the fetal limbs and organs.
3. Down Syndrome Screening: This test is usually performed between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. It involves drawing the pregnant woman's blood to measure serum markers such as alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin. Combined with factors like maternal age and gestational age, it assesses the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome.
4. Gestational Diabetes Screening: Typically conducted between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy, this test requires the pregnant woman to fast before orally ingesting glucose. Blood glucose levels are then measured after one and two hours. This test determines whether the woman has gestational diabetes, and if diagnosed, interventions such as dietary control, exercise, or medication may be necessary.
5. Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring: Starting from 32 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, regular fetal heart rate monitoring is required. Using specialized equipment, this test continuously monitors changes in the fetal heart rate to detect whether the fetus is experiencing oxygen deprivation within the uterus. Particularly in late pregnancy, fetal heart rate monitoring can promptly identify fetal distress, providing critical information for doctors to assess fetal health and decide on the timing of delivery.
Pregnant women are advised to follow the prenatal examination schedule set by their doctors and avoid missing key tests. During the examination period, they should truthfully inform the doctor of their health status, maintain regular sleep patterns, and follow a balanced diet to provide optimal conditions for fetal development.
