The most normal thing is that medical check-ups before childbirth are intensified with respect to the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
Some of them are the consultation with the anesthesiologist, tests, fetal monitoring to control the well-being of the baby… In any case, you are already in the final stretch!
4 MEDICAL CHECK-UPS BEFORE DELIVERY
Medical check-ups before childbirth can vary from one person to another, since it will depend on what the specific factors are. However, we can talk about some that are common to all pregnancies.
1. Visit to the midwife or gynecology
One of the last medical check-ups before childbirth takes place at the beginning of the third trimester of pregnancy . This is a visit to the gynecologist or midwife, where your general condition will be assessed. In addition, a physical examination is carried out and it is most likely that they will request some complementary tests such as ultrasound, analytical tests and vagino-rectal exudate.
Another point that will be discussed in the consultation will be the care to pay attention to in the last phase of pregnancy. Take advantage of this consultation to clarify all the doubts you may have, it is important that you are as calm as possible!
In addition, as in previous consultations, you may have a blood pressure check, a weight check, and in this case, when delivery is close, a vaginal examination to check the status of the cervix.
2. Third trimester ultrasound
It is performed between weeks 32 and 36 of pregnancy and is very effective in assessing the state of the placenta, the baby and the amniotic fluid. This will allow you to rule out possible anomalies.
The position of the baby can also be seen and its approximate weight can be calculated, using the measurements of the diameter of the head, the length of the femur and the abdominal diameter as guides. Thus, it will be possible to verify that there is no intrauterine growth retardation , and that therefore the development of the future baby is correct.
3. Blood tests and urine tests
In the same way as in the previous trimesters, in the third trimester a blood and urine test is also done to rule out any problem, or so that if there is one, it can be resolved as soon as possible.
In blood tests, a basic blood count is performed whose main objective is to assess the status of hemoglobin. Thus, a possible anemia can be detected, or any coagulation problem that may cause a contraindication to the use of epidural anesthesia in childbirth.
Thanks to the urine test, it will be possible to know if there is an infection in the urinary tract; an untreated infection can lead to preterm labor . On the other hand, the presence of proteins can also be discovered, indicating a possible pre-eclampsia.
4. Vagino-rectal exudate (streptococcus B test)
Another of the medical check-ups before delivery is intended to rule out streptococcus B infection. It is carried out between weeks 35 and 37.
Although these bacteria are found naturally in the human body and without causing problems, if they lodge in the rectum and vagina, they can cause serious infections in the baby.
The test is done in the same way as a vaginal cytology, analyzing samples of the vagina and rectum through a smear. It doesn’t hurt and after 2 or 3 days the results will be there. If it is positive, intravenous antibiotics are given to prevent infection in the newborn.