Prenatal Examination During Pregnancy

The examination is carried out to provide reassurance to prospective parents that the fetus is developing normally during pregnancy and that it does not have congenital abnormalities (structural or functional abnormalities that occur during pregnancy and can be identified prenatally, during delivery, or detected later during infancy, such as hearing loss). Approximately 50% of all congenital abnormalities are not related to a specific etiology, but it is known that there is a role for genetic, environmental, other etiology, or other risk factors that are multifactorial.

Based on the severity of congenital abnormalities, they are divided into two categories: major congenital abnormalities and minor congenital abnormalities. Major congenital abnormalities are disorders that have a major impact on the medical, operative, and cosmetic fields and have a high risk of morbidity and death. Minor congenital abnormalities are abnormalities that have little or no impact on the medical, operative, or cosmetic fields and usually have little impact on survival.

The causes and risk factors are genetic factors that play an important role in the occurrence of genetic disorders such as numerical abnormalities (monosomy, trisomy, triploidy, etc.) or structural abnormalities (translocations, deletions, duplications, inversions, etc.), consanguinity (marriage within the family), and parental age (which increases the risk of chromosomal abnormalities, for example, trisomy 21). Socioeconomics plays an indirect role because 94% of severe congenital abnormalities occur in low- or middle-income countries (related to inadequate nutritional intake during pregnancy, increased risk of exposure to infection, or limited access to health facilities or health screening). Nutritional status such as folic acid insufficiency (increases the risk of neural tube defect/NTD (congenital disorder of the central nervous system where the neural tube fails to close), excessive vitamin A intake (affects the normal development of the embryo or fetus), iodine (an important micronutrient for thyroid hormone production and normal fetal development), severe iodine deficiency during pregnancy and the neonatal period is associated with irreversible adverse effects (increased risk of abortion, infant mortality, neonatal hypothyroidism/decreased thyroid hormone production in newborns, cretinism/iodine deficiency, and neuropsychomotor retardation/intellectual impairment). Environment such as working or living near or around rubbish dumps, factories, or mines (especially in mothers with nutritional deficiencies). Maternal infections (viral infections such as rubella, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex, and other infections such as toxoplasmosis, syphilis, and others).

Some prenatal examinations that are usually carried out during pregnancy are routine physical examinations carried out by doctors or midwives to monitor the pregnant woman's vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, and body weight. Apart from that, the doctor can also carry out a physical examination to ensure that the fetus is developing well. The examination uses sound waves to create an image of the fetus in the womb (USG). Ultrasound can be used to determine gestational age, check fetal growth and development, and detect structural abnormalities, if any. Blood tests are performed to check blood sugar levels, genetic disorders, and infections that can affect pregnancy. Laboratory tests to detect proteins or sugars that could indicate health problems, as well as other tests as needed, Early detection examinations such as developmental delay tests, mental delay tests, and motor delay tests can be recommended according to the risks that may be faced by the mother and fetus. Blood sugar checks are carried out to check the risk of gestational diabetes, namely diabetes that appears during pregnancy. HIV and syphilis testing is used to detect and manage infections that can be transmitted from mother to fetus. Genetic counseling is especially important for mothers who have certain genetic risks or a family history of genetic disorders.

This examination may vary depending on the mother's health condition, gestational age, and other risk factors. It is important to consult with a healthcare provider during pregnancy to determine what screening is most appropriate for the individual situation.

Download the Hermina Mobile Apps application to facilitate health access and registration at Hermina Arcamanik Hospital.