Blood Tests

There are several blood tests that can be performed throughout a pregnancy. "hCG measures the amount of human hormone in the body. hCG counts increase as a pregnancy continues, and can show higher levels if there are multiple babies." HCT (hematocrit) and HGB (hemoglobin) measure red blood cells in the blood. These are tests for anemia. MCV (mean corpuscular volume) This test is done with the HCT &amp; HGB. It's basically a measurement of the average size of red blood cells. RH tests for blood group antigen. When RH- in pregnancy, and husband/partner is RH+, it is recommended - but not necessary - to get a shot at 28 weeks as a prophylactic, and then again within 72 hours of delivery. If a woman does not receive the post partum shot, it may affect the next pregnancy if baby is RH+. The woman's body may see the baby as "foreign", and attack it. CVS (Chorionic Villus Sample) is to check for genetic disorders in pregnancy, as well as determining DNA for paternity reasons. It takes a sample from the villi in the amniotic sac. Kind of like an amnio, but more precise. Jessica anne010 21:27, 9 October 2010 (PDT)