The Importance of Laboratory Tests For Pregnant Woment

Laboratory Testing for Pregnant Women

Laboratory examinations carried out during antenatal care include blood group examination, blood hemoglobin (Hb) level examination, protein and urine examination, blood sugar level examination, malaria blood test in malaria endemic areas, syphilis test examination in areas with high risk and pregnant women suspected of Syphilis, HIV examination especially for areas with high risk of HIV cases and pregnant women suspected of having HIV, and BTA examination in pregnant women suspected of having Tuberculosis.

1) Blood group check

Blood type examination in pregnant women is not only to determine the type of blood type of the mother but also to prepare prospective blood donors who are needed at any time in the event of an emergency situation.

2) Blood hemoglobin (Hb) level examination

Checking the blood hemoglobin levels of pregnant women is done at least once in the first trimester and once in the third trimester. This examination is intended to determine whether or not the pregnant woman suffers from anemia during her pregnancy because the condition of anemia can affect the process of fetal growth and development in the womb.

3) Protein and urine testing

Protein in urine examination in pregnant women is done in the second and third trimester upon indication. This examination is intended to determine the presence of proteinuria in pregnant women. Proteinuria is one of the indicators of preeclampsia in pregnant women.

4) Blood sugar level check

Pregnant women suspected of having Diabetes Mellitus should have their blood sugar checked during their pregnancy at least once in the first trimester, once in the second trimester, and once in the third trimester (especially at the end of the third trimester).

5) Malaria blood test

All pregnant women in malaria endemic areas are screened for malaria at first contact. Pregnant women in non-Malaria endemic areas are tested for Malaria when indicated.

6) Syphilis test examination

Syphilis testing is done in high-risk areas and pregnant women suspected of having syphilis. Syphilis testing should be done as early as possible in pregnancy.

7) HIV Testing

HIV testing is mainly for areas with high risk of HIV cases and pregnant women suspected of having HIV. Pregnant women after undergoing counseling are then given the opportunity to make their own decision to undergo HIV testing.

8) BTA Testing

Pregnant women suspected of having Tuberculosis should be tested for BTA as a precautionary measure to prevent Tuberculosis infection from affecting fetal health. Other supporting examinations can be done at referral facilities.

Based on the results of the above antenatal examinations and the results of laboratory examinations, any abnormalities found in pregnant women should be treated in accordance with the standards and authority of health workers. Cases that cannot be treated are referred in accordance with the referral system. Thus, in the implementation of integrated ANC services, an Integrated ANC checklist has been created and developed to facilitate health workers to conduct initial screening and further examination of pregnant women. The integrated checklist can be used by each provider (General Practitioner, Dentist, Midwife, Nutritionist, and Laboratory Officer). At the end of the checklist, a General Practitioner will conclude whether a pregnant woman is in a healthy condition or otherwise (has problems in her pregnancy).

With quality integrated ANC, it is expected that all pregnancies can be well controlled. Thus, this breakthrough effort is expected to be one of the keys to reducing the incidence of morbidity and mortality in mothers and babies.