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Tests during pregnancy: full list

2026-05-27 12:00 Pregnancy
In short: When registering for up to 12 weeks, a large set of tests is taken: blood, urine, smears, infections. Screening tests are added in each trimester. Most tests are a mandatory norm prescribed in the clinical guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Do not skip routine examinations – they help to identify problems at an early stage.

Tests for registration (up to 12 weeks)

At the first visit to the antenatal clinic, a pregnant woman takes a basic set of tests. It is recommended to register no later than the 12th week - this allows you to carry out the first screening in the optimal time and identify possible problems in a timely manner.
Clinical blood test (CBC). It assesses the level of hemoglobin (anemia), leukocytes (inflammation), platelets (blood clotting). It is repeated in each trimester.
Blood type and Rh factor. It is determined once. If the mother has Rh-negative blood and the father has Rh-positive blood, anti-Rh antibody control and prevention of Rh conflict are prescribed.
Biochemical blood test. Glucose, total protein, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, bilirubin. It assesses the functioning of the liver, kidneys and sugar levels.
Coagulogram (hemostasiogram). Evaluates the blood clotting system: aPTT, prothrombin time, fibrinogen. It is important for assessing the risk of thrombosis and bleeding.
General urinalysis (OAM). It detects urinary tract infections (often asymptomatic during pregnancy), protein (a sign of nephropathy), sugar. It is rented at each scheduled visit.
Bacteriological urine culture. Asymptomatic bacteriuria during pregnancy requires treatment - it increases the risk of pyelonephritis and premature birth.
Test for HIV, syphilis (RW), hepatitis B and C. These infections can be transmitted to the fetus - early detection allows for prevention. The analysis is repeated in the third trimester.
Vaginal smear for flora and cervical smear. It detects bacterial vaginosis, candidiasis, STIs. It is important for the prevention of ascending infection.
PCR for TORCH complex infections. Toxoplasmosis, rubella (IgG and IgM), cytomegalovirus, herpes. These infections are dangerous for the fetus in the first trimester. The presence of IgG in the absence of IgM is immunity, no IgG is a risk group.
Thyroid hormone (TSH) test. Thyroid pathology during pregnancy is common and requires correction.

First trimester: biochemical screening

At 11-13 weeks, along with the first ultrasound screening , a blood test for PAPP-A (plasma protein A associated with pregnancy) and free β-hCG is performed. This is a combined prenatal screening of the first trimester: it allows you to calculate the individual risk of trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome).
At high risk (more than 1:100), invasive diagnostics are offered - chorionic villus sampling (up to 13 weeks) or amniocentesis (from 15 weeks). The decision is made by the couple together with a geneticist. A non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) – the analysis of cell-free fetal DNA in the mother's blood – is available as an option with high precision.

Second trimester: tests 18-28 weeks

Repeated CBC and OAM. Hemoglobin control and detection of possible infections. Hemoglobin below 110 g/l during pregnancy is anemia that requires treatment.
Glucose tolerance test (OGTT 75 g). It is carried out at 24-28 weeks. It detects gestational diabetes mellitus, one of the most common complications of pregnancy (occurs in 5-17% of pregnant women). OGTT: fasting blood donation, then 1 and 2 hours after taking 75 g of glucose. GDM during pregnancy requires diet and sometimes insulin therapy.
Anti-Rh antibodies (for Rh-negative blood) – control at 28 weeks.

Third trimester: tests 30-36 weeks

Repeated CBC, OAM, coagulogram, blood biochemistry. Monitoring the condition before childbirth.
Recurrent HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C. Mandatory in the third trimester for everyone.
Smear for group B streptococcus (GBS). GBS is a normal bacterium for the mother, but it can cause a severe infection in the newborn. If the result is positive, antibiotic prophylaxis is prescribed during childbirth.
Cardiotocography (CTG). Records fetal heart rate and movements. It is carried out from the 30th-32nd week. Read more about fetal movements in the article Fetal movements: when to expect and how to count.

Tests according to indications

If indicated, the doctor may prescribe additional tests:
Antiphospholipid syndrome (lupus anticoagulant, antibodies to cardiolipin) – in recurrent miscarriage.
Thrombophilia (MTHFR genetic mutations, factor V Leiden) – with a history of thrombosis.
FSH, LH, estradiol, progesterone – in case of threatened miscarriage.
Bacteriological culture from the vagina - with pronounced dysbiosis.
Smear for oncocytology (if not performed in the last 3 years).

How to properly take tests during pregnancy

Most blood tests are taken on an empty stomach (do not eat for 8-12 hours, you can drink water). Exceptions are if the doctor indicated otherwise. OAM is collected in the morning in a special sterile container: the first portion of urine is drained, the middle one is collected. Smears are taken by a doctor during a gynecological examination – there is no need to prepare for special purposes, it is enough to abstain from vaginal drugs and unprotected sex for 2 days before the visit.

When to see a doctor

Do not postpone your visit if:
Tests revealed anemia, high sugar or protein in the urine.
The results of the screening showed a high risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
The smear revealed an STI or severe bacterial vaginosis.
You missed routine tests or were not prescribed mandatory tests.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to take all these tests?

The list of tests is prescribed in the clinical guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and is the standard of medical care. You have the right to refuse research, but this increases the risk of missing dangerous conditions. It is especially important not to skip infection screenings and biochemical screening of the first trimester.

Is it possible to take tests for a fee in a private laboratory?

Yes. Most tests are available in private laboratories. The results are accepted in antenatal clinics if there is a transcript. Mandatory screening for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis under compulsory medical insurance is free.

Conclusion

Routine tests during pregnancy are not a formality, but an important tool for the early detection of complications. Registration before 12 weeks, performing all screenings on time and responding to deviations in the results in a timely manner are the key to a safe pregnancy. If the test surprised or alarmed you, discuss it with your doctor, and do not look for a transcript on the Internet.

Bibliography

  1. Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation. Clinical recommendations: Normal pregnancy. Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 2023. https://cr.minzdrav.gov.ru/
  2. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 190. Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. Obstet Gynecol. 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29370044/
  3. NICE. Antenatal care. NICE Guideline NG201, 2021. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng201
  4. WHO. WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience. WHO, 2016. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241549912
  5. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 226. Screening for Fetal Chromosomal Abnormalities. Obstet Gynecol. 2020. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33290348/
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. If a child's sleep is accompanied by alarming symptoms, a pronounced deterioration in health, problems with breathing, feeding or weight gain, it is necessary to consult a qualified medical specialist as soon as possible, and not rely only on information from the Internet.