ALL PRE-NATAL LAB WORK

At Amabella Birth Center your midwife collects your blood samples in the office to send to the lab for results. No need to wait at the lab centers for blood work.

Initial obstetric lab work is a series of blood tests and urine tests that are typically done during the first trimester of pregnancy. These tests are used to check for different health conditions that can affect the mother and the baby, such as anemia, infections, and blood type incompatibility.

Some of the most common tests that are included in initial obstetric lab work include:

● Complete blood count (CBC): This test measures the different parts of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC can help diagnose a variety of health problems, such as anemia, clotting disorders, and infections.

● Blood type and Rh factor: This test determines your blood type and Rh factor. Your blood type is determined by the presence or absence of certain antigens on your red blood cells. Your Rh factor is determined by the presence or absence of the RhD antigen. If you are Rh negative and your baby's father is Rh positive, there is a risk of your baby developing Rh incompatibility.

● Rubella titer: This test measures the amount of antibodies in your blood that protect you from rubella. Rubella is a viral infection that can cause birth defects if it is contracted during pregnancy.

● Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg): This test checks for the presence of the hepatitis B virus. Hepatitis B is a viral infection that can cause liver damage.

● Syphilis test: This test checks for the presence of the syphilis bacteria. Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection that can cause serious health problems if it is not treated.

● HIV test: This test checks for the presence of the HIV virus. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.

● Urinalysis: This test checks for the presence of glucose, protein, and other substances in your urine. Glucose in the urine can be a sign of gestational diabetes, and protein in the urine can be a sign of preeclampsia.

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/routine-tests-during-pregnancy

The results of these tests can help your doctor and midwife to assess your overall health and to identify any potential problems with your pregnancy. If any of the tests are positive, your health care provider will discuss the results with you and recommend treatment, if necessary.

PAP Smear and Physical Exam

Amabella’s health care providers perform your PAP smear at your second visit. Your first visit is for lots of paperwork, blood work, and getting to know your provider.

A Pap smear is a screening test that can help detect cervical cancer and other abnormal changes in the cervix. It is recommended that women get a Pap smear every 3 years starting at age 21. However, your doctor or midwife may recommend more frequent Pap smears if you have a history of abnormal Pap smears or other risk factors for cervical cancer.

A Pap smear is a simple, painless procedure that takes just a few minutes. The midwife will use a small, soft brush to collect cells from the cervix. The cells are then sent to a laboratory to be examined under a microscope.

If your Pap smear results are abnormal, your midwife will discuss the results with you and recommend follow-up testing, if necessary.

Here are some tips for getting a Pap smear with a midwife:

● Make sure you are comfortable with the midwife. You should feel comfortable asking questions and discussing your concerns.

● Be sure to tell the midwife about your medical history, including any previous Pap smears or abnormal results, and history of trauma.

● Ask the midwife about the results of your Pap smear as soon as they are available.

If you have any questions or concerns about Pap smears, be sure to talk to your midwife. They can help you understand the benefits and risks of the procedure and answer any questions you may have.

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/cervical-cancer-screening

28 Week Lab Work

 ● Gestational diabetes screening: This test is used to screen for gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. The test is usually done between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/gestational-diabetes-and-the-glucola-test/

● Complete blood count (CBC): This test measures the different parts of your blood, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. A CBC can help diagnose a variety of health problems, such as anemia, clotting disorders, and infections.

● Optional repeat STI testing if desired.

36 Week Lab Work

● Repeat CBC and Urine Culture

● A GBS swab in pregnancy is a test that is used to screen for group B streptococcus (GBS), which is a type of bacteria that can be found in the vagina and rectum of about 25% of healthy women. GBS is usually harmless, but it can cause serious infections in newborns, especially if the baby is born before 37 weeks of pregnancy.

The GBS swab is usually done between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. At Amabella Birth Center, we believe in the autonomy of the patient. The swab is given to the patient to swab their own perineum and next to their rectum. The sample is then sent to a laboratory to be tested for GBS.

If the results of the GBS swab are positive, the woman will be given antibiotics during labor to help prevent the baby from becoming infected. The antibiotics are usually given through an intravenous (IV) line.

GBS swabs are an important part of routine prenatal care. They can help to identify women who are at risk of their babies developing GBS infections, and they can help to prevent these infections from happening.

Here are some of the benefits of GBS swabs:

● They can help to identify women who are at risk of their babies developing GBS infections.

● They can help to prevent GBS infections from happening.

● They are a simple, painless, and inexpensive test.

Here are some of the limitations of GBS swabs:

● The results of the test may not be available for a few days.

● The antibiotics that are given to women who are GBS positive can have side effects.

If you are pregnant, talk to your midwife about whether or not you should have a GBS swab. They can help you to decide if the test is right for you and they can answer any questions you may have.

https://evidencebasedbirth.com/groupbstrep/