Pregnant? You Need These Basic Lab Tests

As soon as you become pregnant, your health becomes even more important than it was before. In order to help your baby grow and develop without any complications, it’s essential that you monitor your health.

You can expect many doctor’s visits, tests, and examinations as your doctors work to evaluate your wellness and identify any potential complications. The following lab tests are standard for all pregnant women throughout the first, second, and third trimesters. Here’s what you can expect.

Anemia Testing

Anemia is a common blood disorder that occurs frequently during pregnancy. Without enough iron in the body, hemoglobin levels in red blood cells decrease, and oxygen cannot be efficiently transported through the body. Pregnancy increases the risk of becoming anemic, so this prenatal test is a quick and important to identify whether you need to take a daily iron supplement. You will need more iron than usual to support red blood cells as your baby and the placenta grow! (more…)

As soon as you become pregnant, you need to begin nourishing your body in a way that also supports the growth and development of your baby. One of the best ways to do this is by finding a high quality prenatal vitamin, but it’s hard to identify the best choice in the sea of options at most stores. These tips will help you cut out the confusion and make a wise choice.

Check For the Most Important Ingredients

Don’t even think about purchasing a prenatal vitamin that does not include folate. Also known as vitamin B9, folate prevents neural tube defects and Spina Bifida. Unfortunately, most prenatal vitamins try to cut costs by using folic acid instead of folate. (more…)