Health & Pregnancy
Third Trimester Tests During Pregnancy
These tests are common in the third trimester of pregnancy:
Group B streptococcus screening: Vaginal and rectal swabs are taken at 35 to 37 weeks of pregnancy to detect group B strep bacteria. Although group B strep can be present in up to 30% of all healthy women, it's the leading cause of life-threatening infections in newborns and can also cause mental retardation, impaired vision, and hearing loss. Women who test positive are treated with antibiotics during delivery to protect the baby from contracting the infection at birth. As an alternative, your physician or midwife may choose not to test for strep but to treat you in labor if certain risk factors develop.
Life With Twins: Amanda Gifford's Story
Amanda Gifford and her husband, Kenneth, are the parents of 9-month-old twins Ethan and Abigail, who were conceived the second time the couple tried IVF and were born eight weeks premature. Their first IVF attempt led to a pregnancy that miscarried. They live in Delta, Colo. Amanda spoke to WebMD about her experiences: I really wanted to transfer three [embryos] the next time, because of that experience. But my lovely doctor talked me out of it, and we transferred two and had twins...
Read the Life With Twins: Amanda Gifford's Story article > >
Electronic fetal heart monitoring: Electronic fetal heart monitoring is done during pregnancy, labor, and delivery to monitor the heart rate of the fetus. The fetal heart rate can indicate whether the fetus is doing well or is in trouble and can be done any time after 20 weeks.
Nonstress test: Done weekly in many high-risk pregnancies, such as women with twins, diabetes, or high blood pressure, this test involves using a fetal monitor strapped across the mother's abdomen to measure the baby's heart rate as it moves. It's also used for monitoring overdue babies.
Contraction stress test: Also done in high-risk pregnancies, a fetal monitor measures the baby's heart rate in response to contractions stimulated either by oxytocin (Pitocin) or nipple stimulation. Doctors use the measurements to predict how well the baby will cope with the stress of labor.
Biophysical profile: Combines a nonstress test with an ultrasound for a more accurate evaluation of the baby.
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