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TESTS AND MEDICAL TERMS DURING PREGNANCY

ABS: Antibody screening for Rh factor antibodies in the blood. This is a blood test to determine whether your blood is Rh+ or Rh-. If you are Rh- and your baby is Rh+, you may be producing antibodies that could affect the baby. You will receive a shot to prevent this.

AFP: Alpha Fetoprotein, a fetal serum protein produced in the yolk sac and then by the liver of the baby. A small amount of AFP passes into the mother's bloodstream. A blood test at 16-18 weeks assesses the level of AFP. It is usually part of a triple test that looks as three substances normally present in the bloodstream of pregnant women: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and two pregnancy hormones called estriol and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG). High levels of AFP may reflect neural tube defects, occurring when the spinal cord or brain does not form completely, such as spina bifida. When combined with measurements of estriol and HCG, it can be used to screen for a high risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. These tests cannot diagnose a birth defect, but they can indicate when there is a high risk. An abnormal test means that more testing is needed.

Amniocentesis: A procedure used to obtain amniotic fluid (fluid around the baby) from the uterus. A thin needle is put into the belly to collect this fluid. This is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. This test can identify hundreds of genetic disorders including cystic fibrosis, Sickle cell disease, neural tube defects such as spina bifida, and chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome. This test is not routine, but is offered to women who may be at higher risk. A genetic counselor can talk with you about the benefits and risks.

Chlamydia: A sexually transmitted infection often without symptoms. Women are screened for chlamydia at an early prenatal appointment and the infection is treated with antibiotics to prevent infection of the baby at birth. If a woman gets Chlamydia while pregnant and is not treated, she may miscarry or have a premature birth.

CVS: Chronic Villus Sampling. This is a procedure to collect cells from chorionic villi, tiny fingerlike projections on the placenta. A thin needle is put into the belly or a thin tube is put through the cervix to collect these cells. This can be done between 10 to 12 weeks of pregnancy. CVS is very accurate at detecting hundreds of genetic disorders and chromosomal abnormalities. This test is not routine, but is offered to women who are at a higher risk. A genetic counselor can talk with you about the benefits and risks.

CXR: Chest X-ray.

Estriol: A type of estrogen secreted by the placenta during pregnancy.

GBS: Group B streptococcus (strept) test. Your provider will take swabs of cells from the vagina and rectum to test for the bacteria. This test is usually done between 35 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. The bacteria live in the genital tract, urinary tract, and bowels of 20 to 25 percent of pregnant women. If left untreated, GBS can cause life-threatening infections among newborns, including meningitis, neonatal septicemia (bacterial bloodstream infection) and pneumonia. Testing and antibiotic treatment will greatly reduce your baby's chances of becoming infected.

GC: Gonorrhea, a sexually transmitted infection that is often without symptoms. Women are screened for gonorrhea at an early prenatal appointment and the infection is treated with antibiotics to prevent infection of the baby at birth. Untreated gonorrhea in women may lead to a condition called pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a serious infection of the lining of the uterus, the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Pregnant women who are not treated are at risk for miscarriage, preterm delivery and premature rupture of the membranes (water breaking early).

1-GTT: 1-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test, a test for diabetes. Some women develop diabetes during pregnancy, called gestational diabetes. Most of the time, this condition disappears after the pregnancy ends. This test looks at the level of sugar in your blood one hour after you are given something sweet to drink.

3-GTT: 3-Hour Glucose Tolerance Test. If the 1-GTT test is not normal, you will need to take this test for diabetes. It measures the level of sugar in your blood four times. You will fast for 10-14 hours (have nothing to eat, drink only water). Your blood sugar will be tested when you arrive for your appointment (baseline). Then, you will drink a sweet drink and your blood sugar will be tested every hour for the next three hours.

HbsAG: Hepatitis B surface antigen test for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. This test is usually performed on all pregnant women during the first prenatal visit. This test may be repeated later in pregnancy for women who are at high risk for HBV infection. HbsAG is the first marker to appear in the blood after infection. It can be detected as early as 1-2 weeks after exposure to HBV. HbsAG is also detectable in most people with chronic (long-term) HBV infections. Hepatitis can cause liver problems for your baby. Babies born to HbsAG+ mothers will be treated at birth to prevent perinatal infection and may be given a Hepatitis B vaccine.

HbeAG: Hepatitis B "e" antigen test. This test may also be done to determine Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) infection. HBeAg is generally detectable in people with an acute HBV infection.

HBV: Hepatitis B Virus. HBV is an infection that is most frequently transmitted by blood contact but can also be spread via body fluids such as semen and vaginal secretions. An infected mother can transmit the virus to the baby during delivery or shortly thereafter. Hepatitis B can result in chronic liver disease and liver cancer. Babies born to mothers positive for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and hepatitis B "e" antigen (HBeAg) have a high chance of acquiring perinatal HBV infection, and an even higher chance of being chronic HBV carriers. Hepatitis B infection in pregnancy may increase risk of preterm delivery.

HCG: Human Chorionic Gonadotropin. A hormone that stimulates progesterone and estrogen production to maintain the pregnancy until the placenta is developed enough to take over. Usually, this blood test is done to confirm or rule out pregnancy. Serum HCG is detectable in the blood or urine 1 to 2 days after implantation (10 days after ovulation.) Abnormal results may indicate miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy.

HCT: Hematocrit, the percent of red blood cells in the blood. A blood test used to determine if you are anemic.

Hemoglobinpathy: A group of rare, inherited disorders involving abnormal structure of hemoglobin. A test screens for these disorders, including hemoglobin C disease, hemoglobin S-C disease and sickle cell anemia. There are several different types of hemoglobinopathies, and each of these can have an effect on pregnancy. A genetic counselor can provide more information.

HGB: Hemoglobin, an oxygen carrying protein that is in red blood cells. A blood test is done to determine if you are anemic.

HSV: Herpes Simplex Virus (Herpes). Infection with this common virus can be mild or without symptoms in adults, but it can cause rare but serious illness in babies. If you have a history of genital Herpes or an outbreak during your pregnancy, your provider will recommend treatment during pregnancy and take special precautions during your baby's delivery.

Hx: Short for medical history.

PPD: Tuberculin skin test. Test for tuberculosis, usually given on the first visit.

Rh Factor: Rhesus factor, part of the blood group system. This is a protein that some people have on the surface of their red blood cells. If you don't have it, you're Rh-

Rh+: Rhesus positive. If you do have the Rh factor, as most people do, your status is Rh+.

Rh-: Rhesus negative. If you do not have Rh factor, your status is Rh-. If you are Rh-, there is a good chance that your blood will be incompatible with your baby's blood, which will likely be Rh+. Sometimes there is a little mixing of blood between mother and baby. The presence of the baby's Rh+ blood cells in your system acts like a foreign protein and cause your immune system to develop its own antibodies. These antibodies attack the baby's red blood cells as if they were a foreign substance. Your provider will test your blood during pregnancy and you will probably receive a shot of Rhogam.

Rhogam: Rh immune globulin. This destroys any Rh+ blood cells in your system to keep you from developing antibodies which would attack the baby's red blood cells.

RPR: Rapid Plasma Reagin. A blood test for the presence of syphilis infection, a sexually transmitted infection. This is uncommon in the US, but if present, you will be treated with antibiotics so that the baby is not harmed. With no treatment, up to 40 percent of babies who are infected in the womb die shortly before or after birth.

Rubella: Also called German Measles, this is a viral disease that can cause abnormalities in the baby if the mother gets it during pregnancy. Rubella titer is the blood test that checks your level of antibodies to the German measles virus to see if you are immune. If you are not immune, you will need to avoid anyone who has the infection during pregnancy. You cannot be vaccinated while you're pregnant.

Tx: Short for medical treatment.

Ultrasound: An ultrasound, or sonogram, uses soundwaves to get an image of the baby in the uterus. Ultrasounds may be done abdominally or vaginally. They can be used to confirm pregnancy by detecting the fetal heart rate, determine the baby's gestational age, give a more accurate due date and scan for abnormalities.

Medical information on this page has been reviewed by a team of health care providers affiliated with the Pregnancy Passport Program.

This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The opinions expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the March of Dimes.