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Prenatal Testing
A Dad's Eye View
By Dr. Aneema Van Groenou
Your obstetrician may also recommend other blood tests. Some tests, such as those for hepatitis B and HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) are standard maternal blood tests that are important for all pregnant women to try to prevent transmission of these devastating illnesses to the fetus.
During early pregnancy, your obstetrician may also continue to check hormone levels, such as the quantitative beta-hCG, to make sure that levels are rising appropriately and to confirm the gestational age or the dating of the pregnancy. HCG is the same hormone that turned the stripe pink on that very first pregnancy test!
If your partner has vaginal bleeding, the physician may confirm her levels of hCG with a blood test or follow them for a few weeks to be sure they are rising, meaning that the pregnancy is growing. A falling hCG level typically accompanies a miscarriage.
The amount of testing your little one will go through even before she even takes her first breath of air can be overwhelming. Keep in mind that your wife's prenatal visits are a great opportunity for you to learn about what appointments and tests she needs and to plan your schedule together.
Your partner may also need your emotional support as she undergoes tests that determine the health of the fetus. Plus, being there to witness some of the exciting changes of pregnancy – like seeing your baby kick on the ultrasound monitor – is one of the first joys of fatherhood, and you don't want to miss it.
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