A–Z Glossary

Red blood cell antibody screen

An antibody screen is a blood test that detects red blood cell antibodies that could affect pregnancy management.

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Routine blood tests in pregnancy

Routine blood tests in pregnancy

Why routine blood tests are part of prenatal care Pregnancy places extra demands on the cardiovascular, hematologic, endocrine, renal, and immune systems. Routine blood testing gives clinicians a baseline early in pregnancy and helps detect conditions that may be silent at first. For example, anemia may develop gradually, hepatitis B infection may be asymptomatic, and […]

Blood type Rh factor and Rh incompatibility

Blood type Rh factor and Rh incompatibility

What is the Rh factor? The Rh factor, often referring specifically to the D antigen in the Rh blood group system, is a protein on red blood cells. A person whose red blood cells carry this protein is Rh-positive. A person whose red blood cells do not carry it is Rh-negative. Rh status is inherited […]

First prenatal visit and what to expect

First prenatal visit and what to expect

When to schedule the first prenatal appointment Many clinics schedule the first prenatal visit around 8 weeks of pregnancy, calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, although timing can vary. Some people are seen earlier, especially if they have bleeding, pain, a history of ectopic pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, fertility treatment, significant […]