What do the 12-week-pregnant blood/urine tests tell you?

[Anonymous]

I recently had the blood work/urine samples/cultures done after reaching 12 weeks pregnant, but I forgot to ask what they were testing for -- I know one thing was the HIV test, but does anyone know what else they are testing for at this stage? I know that the diabetes test comes later, as does the quad test for chromosomal abnormalities. So what were they testing?? Thanks so much for any information.

[Anonymous]

During your first visit, you can expect to have a full physical, including a pelvic and rectal examination. A blood sample will be taken and used for a series of tests:

a complete blood cell count (CBC)
blood typing and screening for Rh antibodies (antibodies against a substance found in the red blood cells of most people)
for syphilis, hepatitis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
for evidence of previous exposure to chickenpox (varicella), measles (rubeola), mumps, or German measles (rubella)
for cystic fibrosis (health care providers have just recently started to routinely offer this to individuals even if there's no family history of the disorder)
Women of African or Mediterranean descent are usually tested for sickle cell trait or disease because they're at higher risk for having sickle cell anemia — a chronic blood disease — or carrying the trait, which can be passed on to their children.

[Anonymous]

Urine is to see if you have a urinary tract infection. Blood test is to determine your blood type and see if you are immune to rubella. Cultures is to see if you have gonorrhea or chlamydia.

[Anonymous]

OP here- thank you so much!!! I was hoping that some of the tests would see if things were okay with the baby but I guess it was mainly about the health of me (since obviously that could affect the baby.)

[Anonymous]

OP, if you want to know a little bit about the health of the baby now, one thing you can do now is the first trimester screening (ultrasound and blood test that tell you your odds of having a baby with down syndrome or trisomy). It is similar to the quad screen, except that you do it during your first trimester between week 11 and week 13 usually and it includes an ultrasound which is nice b/c you get to see the baby.

[Anonymous]

1535 covered most things - iron levels are also checked as a lot women are prone to anemia.

It's an expensive test (doc. told me it can cost up to $2000) which is why they don't do it until they are 100% sure pregnant.