Try to avoid a large number of tests, otherwise you will spend more time waiting for their results, not your child. Ask why this analysis is so necessary in your case. "Baby", is an unacceptable answer. In addition, ask whether you can get the same information in a different way. Remember the three main questions: is this safe for you and your child? so if necessary this test? are there alternative methods of analysis?

1. Analysis of chorionic villi (AHV). Held on 8-11 weeks of pregnancy.

For what it is. During ultrasound examination in the crotch catheter and through the cervix into the uterus is pushed to the forming placenta. Taken a small sample Ho intangible villi, which are finger-like formations of tissue which surround the embryo during the first weeks of pregnancy.

Whether You need this test? This analysis gives the same information as amniocentesis. AHV advantage that it can be done at earlier stages of pregnancy (8— 11 weeks). Results are ready in 1-2 weeks. But AHV is associated with a greater risk of damage to the embryo than an amniocentesis. After AHV miscarriages happen 2-4 times more often, than after amniocentesis. In addition, there is a high risk of damage to the limbs and reduce the formation of amniotic fluid. The level of risk depends on the experience of the specialist who is doing the analysis. The results of AHV are often false (i.e. the embryo detect pathology, which he doesn't have), because the cells of the chorionic villi may contain substances which are not present in the child. Given the risk factors and cost analysis, the majority of parents and doctors give preference to amniocentesis.

2. Ameliorants. Is performed at 12-16 weeks of pregnancy.

For what it is. After local anesthesia, the physician, guided by ultrasound readings, introduces a long needle through the abdomen into the uterus and takes a small amount of amniotic fluid (in which the urine contains fetal cells of the epidermis and some products of metabolism). Analysis of this fluid can give a genetic and biochemical information about the child. Results are ready in 2-4 weeks. Amniocentesis is done in order to determine the sex of the child, to identify a chromosomal abnormality (e.g. down syndrome) and certain inherited diseases. In the later stages of pregnancy it is done to identify diseases of the blood due to incompatibility of the RH factors. This analysis allows a high degree of accuracy to determine the lung maturity of the fetus. This is determined by the level of some chemicals that allow light child to open up. This analysis is done in order to find out whether your child's lungs are developed and if he can breathe if premature birth occurs.

Whether You need this test? In General, amniocentesis is safe but some risk is still present. The use of ultrasound virtually eliminates injury of the child or placenta. After this procedure the risk of miscarriage is 0.5%. In women older than 35 years, the risk of miscarriage after amniocentesis is higher than the risk of delivering a child with down syndrome. Ask your doctor about the risks of this analysis. If the doctor does not give a clear answer, ask whether he is experienced in conducting such analysis, or ask them to refer you to a specialist. Do not be afraid, if your doctor has prescribed you am nicenes. If you are over 35 years old, the doctor must offer you this procedure.

3. Test on glucose tolerance. Held on 24-28 week of pregnancy.

For what it is. During pregnancy, hormones suppress the release of insulin and the blood sugar level of the mother increases. A reaction that releases more glucose to supply the fetus. So many women of the Burden of pregnancy in the urine contains small amount of sugar. In a small percentage of pregnant women (2 to 10%) high sugar content in blood throughout pregnancy. This is a temporary condition called gestational glucose intolerance (it's less frightening and more accurate term than gestational diabetes). Prolonged contact with high concentrations of sugar in the blood leads to the fact that the fruit becomes very large, there arise various complications (prematurity and problems with the respiratory system). In addition, the child can increase the production of your own insulin, which leads to a sharp drop in the concentration of sugar in the blood of the newborn immediately after birth. If the glucose intolerance is detected in the early stages of pregnancy, the mother will be able to reduce the sugar content in the blood using a special diet. Most often this complication occurs in fat women, mothers of older age, those who are predisposed to diabetes as a result of heredity or who already gave birth to a baby weighing more than 4.5 kg.

Whether You need this test? Such analyses typically are offered to make at 24-28 weeks of pregnancy and if the woman is at risk, repeat at 32-34 weeks. The woman give on an empty stomach to drink a sweet liquid called glucola and after 1 hour, check the level of sugar in the blood. If the first analysis will give a positive result, the doctor may suggest to make a more accurate three-hour analysis.

Only 15% of women with a positive result of the first analysis there is a positive reaction and three-hour analysis. If the second test shows a positive result, your doctor may recommend to adhere to a diabetic diet throughout the pregnancy. Another way is to take a blood test 1-2 hours after a heavy meal. The results of this analysis are ready in a few hours. If you give blood after a meal, get more exercise before the analysis, so the body was able to handle the incoming sugar on it. Don't just sit and wait their turn for analysis. Recent studies have questioned the significance of the analysis on glucose tolerance. In 1990 were examined 1307 women. Of these, 533 was made such analysis and 774 women the level of sugar in blood is not checked. It turned out that in the first group (the women had to worry about during pregnancy and to do a lot of additional tests), the percentage of caesarean sections was much higher than in the second, and the large number of children, no less. We question the need for such a test. Pregnant women rarely drink a glucose solution on an empty stomach. Such a diet is unnatural, so why the results of the analysis should reflect natural processes?