Routine Tests:

Ultrasounds:
There are two routine ultrasounds we recommend in pregnancy. The first is your dating scan and is usually done somewhere between 11-13 weeks. We use the information from this ultrasound to accurately tell us how far along your pregnancy is and what your expected due date is and to screen for some serious anatomical abnormalities. Most babies are not actually born on their due date (only about 5% are) but this date helps us to track how the pregnancy is progressing and plan when to do various tests and investigations during the pregnancy. 

The other routine ultrasound is the detailed ultrasound done around 19-22 weeks. This ultrasound is a careful inspection of the anatomy and growth of your baby. You can find out the sex of your baby at this ultrasound if you wish. 

Additional ultrasounds beyond those above are ordered at the discretion of your maternity care provider. They may suggest additional ultrasounds to get a better idea of the growth of the baby, to check the position of the baby or to check the wellbeing of the baby if you have developed any complications in pregnancy (high blood pressure, diabetes etc)

3D ultrasounds:
These ultrasounds are just for fun! They are not intended to provide any medical information but can definitely provide some cute images. These ultrasounds are private pay/ not covered by MSP.

Lab tests: 
Routine lab work performed early in the pregnancy usually includes the following tests: blood type, hemoglobin, rubella and varicella zoster immune status, screening for HIV, syphilis, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, chlamydia and gonorrhea, thyroid test, thalassemia screen and a urine culture. Additional lab tests may be warranted in certain situations. 

In your second trimester you will have additional lab work performed to screen for gestational diabetes and to re- check your hemoglobin and iron levels. 

*It is common for iron levels to become quite low in pregnancy and in this case you may be asked to take an iron supplement. I usually recommend Palafer one tab every second day on an empty stomach in the morning. 

GBS swab:
A quick vaginal swab is performed between 35-37 weeks to screen for a bacteria called group B streptococcus. About 1 in 5 people will screen positive for GBS. It’s very common! GBS is one of the many normal bacteria that grows in our bodies. Usually in the non pregnant person it does not make you sick or cause any problems. However, when you have GBS present during labour and birth it has the potential to make your baby quite sick. Luckily this risk is greatly reduced by giving antibiotics during labour through an IV. Since we started routinely screening for GBS and giving antibiotics in labour if needed, it has become extremely uncommon for babies to become sick due to GBS exposure. 

RH negative blood type and rhogam/ winrho:
Your blood type will be indicated by a letter (A, B, AB or O) and rhesus (RH) positive or negative. (Example A+ or O- ). These letters and signs indicate whether or not you have certain proteins (antigens) on your red blood cells. Most people in the population are rhesus positive (85%). 

This is important in pregnancy as we are trying to screen for and prevent a condition called Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn. Hemolytic disease of the newborn can occur if the mother is RH negative. Given that 85% of folks are RH positive, there is a high chance that the father or partner will be RH positive. Since this is a genetic or inherited trait, that would mean that the baby also has a high chance of having RH positive blood. This can be problematic at the time of birth when the mother and baby can have some mixing of their blood. If the mothers blood becomes exposed to the baby’s blood (ie during the birth or if there is any heavy bleeding during the pregnancy), she can start to develop antibodies against the RH protein. These antibodies have the potential ability to attack the red blood cells of the baby. If the red blood cells of the baby are attacked, the baby can become dangerously anemic or jaundiced. We have an extremely effective way to prevent this dangerous condition and this is by administering a Rhogam or Winrho shot during pregnancy to those who are known to have RH negative blood type. This shot prevents the body from forming antibodies against the RH protein. Since we have been screening for blood type and rhesus status and giving the rhogam/ winrho shot when indicated, hemolytic disease of the newborn has become extremely rare.