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Genetic Screenings: The Nuchal Translucency Test
A nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound is one of the first ultrasounds you will have in your pregnancy (for some, it will be the first!). It is part of an elective genetic test that is offered in the first trimester. Genetic screening tests are offered in the prenatal period to assess a baby’s risk for genetic…
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Weight Gain in Pregnancy: What’s recommended?
When understanding weight gain during pregnancy, it’s important to hold overall health as a higher priority than the number on the scale. Hearing weight parameters as “goals” can be very triggering for some, especially those with a history of eating disorders. Talk to your Ob provider early on if you would rather not be told…
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The Flu Vaccine in Pregnancy: Why It’s Recommended
Is it safe to get a flu vaccine during pregnancy? The short answer is yes. It is safe to get a flu vaccine during pregnancy and important not only for your wellbeing but your baby’s (see benefits of flu vaccine below). Pregnant people are at an increased risk of developing life-threatening flu complications. This is…
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Cold Medicine in Pregnancy: What’s Considered Safe?
Symptoms related to the common cold and other upper respiratory infections can be unpleasant, to say the least, when added to symptoms already experienced in pregnancy. This is why many pregnant people seek advice from their Ob providers on the best way to treat symptoms such as cough, congestion, and runny nose. At the first…
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Sharing Your Pregnancy News: Advice for Telling Family, Friends & Employers
Now that you’ve confirmed your pregnancy, you might be wondering “when is the right time to share the news?” Since news of a baby on the way travels fast, it’s important to think about which family members, friends or coworkers you want as a part of your support system! While there is no rule book…
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Determining Sex of Baby: Ways to test
Before the advancements in prenatal screenings, parents had to wait until they were in the delivery room to find out the sex of their baby. If you aren’t someone who loves a big surprise, you might be wondering what tests are available to determine fetal sex during pregnancy. The two most common tests to determine…
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A Guide to Fetal Heartbeat & Heart Rate
Hearing your baby’s heartbeat for the first time is a big moment. If you have a viable pregnancy you will typically hear or see a heartbeat once you are >6 weeks. Before 6 weeks we are sometimes, but not always, able to detect a heartbeat. Unfortunately, sometimes people go in for their first ultrasound and…
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Blood Tests in Pregnancy: What’s Recommended?
It is common practice for blood tests to be run as a part of your first prenatal appointment. The number of laboratory tests run on your blood might differ from the list below depending on your unique medical history. Use the breakdown as a guide for what to expect with your first pregnancy blood draw. …
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An Overview of Prenatal Genetic Screenings
There are a variety of screening tests that assess your baby’s risk of genetic conditions. It’s important to remember that screening tests evaluate a baby’s risk of having a certain condition, but they do not diagnose that condition. More invasive diagnostic testing is needed for confirmation. Genetic testing in pregnancy typically looks for:
