How to get your next 9 months off to the best start possible - Parenting.com
Third Trimester
ROUTINE TESTS
* Blood Glucose Test: This test screens for gestational diabetes (see above) by checking blood sugar levels after you consume a sugary drink. If levels are high, another test can more accurately diagnose the condition.
When performed: 24 to 28 weeks
Results and follow-up: Elevated blood-sugar levels can be controlled with diet and, in some cases, insulin.
* Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Test: In this test, a culture of your vagina and rectum are checked for the bacteria, which are carried by 10 to 30 percent of all pregnant women and can be passed to the baby during delivery and, without treatment, cause inflammation of the lungs, brain, and spinal cord or even death.
When performed: At 35 to 37 weeks
Results and follow-up: If you test positive, you'll receive antibiotics during delivery to help prevent perinatal transmission. If the condition is diagnosed early enough in your baby, GBS can be successfully treated with antibiotics.
ADDITIONAL TESTS
* Nonstress Test: This test measures fetal heart rate patterns in women who have high-risk pregnancies, including those who have preeclampsia or diabetes.
When performed: Anytime during the last trimester to check the well-being of the fetus
Results and follow-up: The fetal heart rate usually quickens in response to stimuli, such as noise. If the fetus's heart rate doesn't change, you may be given the test again or take further tests, such as a biophysical profile (see below).
* Biophysical Profile: A nonstress test combined with a detailed ultrasound to look at such factors as heart-rate activity, body movements, and the volume of amniotic fluid.
When performed: During the third trimester
Results and follow-up: If a problem, such as low amniotic fluid, is found, the baby may need to be delivered early.
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