Find out why every pregnant woman should see their Alpharetta OBGYN for a routine prenatal exam.

If you’ve just recently found out you’re pregnant, congratulations! This is an exciting time for you. You have a lot to prepare before during these nine months to get ready for your bundle of joy. In the meantime, it’s important to see your Alpharetta OBGYN Dr. Dori Kasparek for specific checkups and tests to make sure your pregnancy is going as smoothly and as comfortably as possible. Find out more about routine prenatal testing and why it’s important.

When should I get my prenatal test?

Once you’ve found out you’re pregnant you should set up an appointment with your OBGYN in Alpharetta so we can take a blood sample and also perform a routine checkup.

What should I expect when I see my Alpharetta OBGYN for a prenatal test?

We will draw blood from your arm, then send the sample to a laboratory for testing. Here are some of the tests you should expect during your routine prenatal visit:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): This test checks the number of cells in your blood to find problems like anemia or blood clotting disorders.

Blood type: This test shows if you have Rh factor, a protein that is found on red blood cells. Many people do have Rh factor, which makes them positive; however, some people do not possess Rh factor, which makes them negative. If your child is Rh positive and you’re Rh negative, your body will produce antibodies that can damage the fetus’s red blood cells if left untreated.

Pap smear: To check for cervical cancer.

STD screening: Tests are performed to screen for HIV, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and hepatitis B and C.

Rubella: This infection can cause birth defects, so it’s important to test for past infections or to see whether you’ve been vaccinated against this disease. Women should not get vaccinated for rubella while pregnant.

We may also test thyroid function, toxoplasmosis antibodies (this is particularly important for pregnant women who have cats) or for the herpes simplex virus.

Who should I get prenatal testing?

Every woman who is pregnant should come in for routine testing. The sooner you get testing done the better for the health of your child and yourself.

If you’ve just found out you’re pregnant, now is the perfect time to call your Alpharetta, GA OBGYN at Complete Women’s Healthcare to schedule your prenatal testing. We are here to make sure that both you and your baby are healthy and happy!