Your first prenatal visit - March of Dimes

During your first prenatal visit, your health care provider will check your blood and urine for the following:

• Conditions that could harm your baby (for example, hepatitis B, syphilis and possibly other sexually transmitted infections). You will be offered a test to see if you carry HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

• Antibodies that show whether or not you are immune to rubella (German measles) and chickenpox , both of which can cause birth defects if the mother is infected for the first time during pregnancy.

• Anemia (low red blood cell count), which could cause you to feel especially tired and possibly increase your risk of preterm delivery.

• Your blood type, including whether you carry a protein called the Rh factor on your red blood cells. Women who lack the Rh factor are said to be Rh negative and usually need treatment to protect their babies from a potentially dangerous blood problem.

• Bacteria in your urine. Up to 10 percent of pregnant women have bacteria in their urine, which indicates a urinary tract infection. Most have no symptoms, but even a symptomless urinary tract infection may spread upwards to the kidneys, where it can pose a serious risk to mother and baby. Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics that are safe for mother and baby.

• Sugar in your urine. This can be a sign of diabetes. Your health care provider may suggest additional tests if sugar shows up in your urine.

• Protein in your urine. This can indicate a urinary tract infection or, later in pregnancy, a pregnancy-related condition that includes high blood pressure. Your health care provider may suggest additional tests if your urine has protein in it.