PROFESSIONALS MUST MAKE CERTAIN TESTS EVEN IF YOUR PREGNANCY IS GOING WELL, DON’T GET ALARMED. THE METHODS CHOSEN WILL ALLOW TO CONTROL THE BABY’S STATE, DISCARD ANEMIA, INFECTIONS, CIRCULATION PROBLEMS AND ENSURE YOUR WELFARE AND YOUR CHILD’S WELL-BEING
By Armando Ayala Pilar Cueva Consulting, gynecologist
VAGINAL EXUDATE
A sample is taken from the vagina with a cotton swab to test for a germ (Streptococcus agalactiae) that could cause a fatal infection. The test is painless. If the germ is detected they will do a urine test to see if the infection has spread to the urinary tract and thus treat it as soon as possible.
THIRD QUARTER ULTRASOUND
It is actually done every month. It allows to measure the size of the baby (an approximate calculation of the weight it will have can be made); See its position and that of the placenta in the uterus, the heartbeat, and the amount of amniotic fluid.
FETAL MONITORING
You are laid on a bed with two straps around the abdomen connected to a monitor: one records the contractions of the uterus and the other records the baby’s heartbeat. The test is painless and usually lasts between 20 and 30 minutes. It is very useful to control high-risk pregnancies from week 32.
BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE
It is a very complete ultrasound through which the baby’s respiratory movements and the amount of amniotic fluid he has are controlled.
ECO DOPPLER
Ultrasound measures the amount of blood that passes through the baby’s umbilical vessels and arteries (aorta and middle cerebral artery). It allows assessing whether the child receives an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients in cases of growth retardation, maternal diabetes or hypertension, pre-eclampsia or placental problems. It takes place between weeks 26 and 28.
VAGINAL TOUCH
It allows knowing the degree of dilation of your cervix when you already have contractions. If they do it to you delicately and you relax, it is not usually annoying. Tactics should be limited to the maximum to avoid infections. Before you go into labor, it does not bring you any benefit and it does increase the risk of ruptured membranes.
WHAT IF I HAVE A CAESAREAN SCHEDULE?
No additional tests are performed. Ideally, the date is scheduled according to the instructions of your doctor and the development of your pregnancy. Likewise, the ideal thing is that it is performed with epidural anesthesia so that you can see how your child is born and that they put it in contact with your skin when leaving the uterus, well covered, if the conditions of both allow it; This is the kangaroo method, which has been shown to improve the vital signs of the newborn and provide benefits for both in terms of the affective bond.