For your convenience, a phlebotomist is present in our office during normal business hours.
Initial Visit
Blood type, Antibody Screen, HIV, Hepatitis B, Rubella (German Measles), Blood Count, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Urine Culture, Chicken Pox titer, Herpes Simplex Type 2, Vitamin D Level (associated with bone growth for your baby), Pap smear, Gonorrhea/Chlamydia, vaginal culture and a Urine Drug Screen. Hemoglobin Electrophoresis is performed for certain ethnicities. Additional testing maybe needed based on lab findings noted above.
24-28 Weeks
Complete Blood Count and Gestational Diabetes screening.
34-36 Weeks
Group B streptococcus vaginal culture looks for a bacterium, originating in the intestine of 1 in 3 women. It has no effect on adults. We treat it in labor with antibiotics, Penicillin or Clindamycin. Group B streptococcus is most dangerous to babies that are born premature, as it can cause pneumonia or sepsis (a severe bacterial infection in the blood). It is not an issue if you are having a Cesarean Section. If you have ever had this bacteria notify me, you are a carrier for the bacteria and you do not need to be retested each pregnancy.