Screening Tests in Pregnancy from Conception to Delivery

Discovering you are pregnant is a beautiful moment filled with excitement, happiness, and a natural sense of curiosity about what comes next. Whether this is your first pregnancy or you have experienced this journey before, it is completely normal to feel a mix of joy and uncertainty. One of the most common questions expecting mothers ask us at Sikund Diagnostic Centre is about the screening tests required throughout pregnancy and the right time to undergo them. Pregnancy is not just about waiting for nine months; it is a continuous process of nurturing, monitoring, and ensuring the well-being of both mother and baby. **Screening tests in pregnancy** are an important part of this journey because they provide essential insights into development, health, and any risks that may need attention. These tests are not extra burdens; instead, they serve as guiding checkpoints that help reassure you and your doctor that everything is progressing as it should.

During the first trimester, from conception to week twelve, several important tests are recommended to establish a healthy foundation. These include the Beta hCG blood test to confirm pregnancy, blood group and Rh typing to determine compatibility, a complete blood count to detect anemia, thyroid function tests to assess hormonal balance, and infectious disease screenings for HIV, Hepatitis B and C, Syphilis, and Rubella. A urine test helps identify infections and checks for protein or sugar levels. The first ultrasound, known as the dating scan, typically conducted between six and eight weeks, confirms the fetal heartbeat and due date. This early phase brings both reassurance and emotional connection as parents see their baby for the very first time.

The second trimester, from week thirteen to twenty-eight, involves more detailed evaluations. The Dual Marker test along with the NT scan between eleven and fourteen weeks checks for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. The anomaly scan, also called the Level-II ultrasound, performed between eighteen and twenty-two weeks, carefully examines the baby’s organs, limbs, brain, spine, placenta, and amniotic fluid levels. Additional tests such as the Triple or Quadruple Marker test may be suggested for genetic screening. Around the twenty-fourth to twenty-eighth week, the Glucose Tolerance Test checks for gestational diabetes. Sometimes your doctor will repeat CBC, LFT, KFT, and urine tests to ensure your body is coping well with the increasing demands of pregnancy.

In the third trimester, from week twenty-nine until delivery, the focus shifts to monitoring growth, safety, and readiness for birth. A Growth and Doppler ultrasound evaluates the baby’s weight, movement, blood flow, and placenta health. Between the thirty-fifth and thirty-seventh week, the Group B Streptococcus test is performed to prevent infection at birth. Final blood tests may be repeated, and if you are Rh-negative, you may receive another Anti-D injection. Some pregnancies may require special tests such as NIPT, Thalassemia screening, TORCH, or Amniocentesis based on medical history.

Screening tests are essential because pregnancy is delicate, and early detection allows timely management of conditions like thyroid imbalance, gestational diabetes, or fetal growth concerns. At **Sikund Diagnostic Centre**, each test is conducted with advanced technology, accuracy, and compassionate care. Our team ensures you feel informed, supported, and confident at every stage of your pregnancy journey. Every scan, every report, and every little milestone brings you closer to meeting your baby, and we are here to walk with you from conception to delivery with warmth, expertise, and dedication.