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First Trimester
Urine Samples

Tested at every prenatal visit to check for protein, which may indicate pre-eclampsia.
Read more: Health precautions for pregnancy >
Dating ultrasound

Done after the first few weeks to check conception date, or if you?ve had problems with prior pregnancies.
12-week nuchal translucency test

This ultrasound measures the fluid beneath the skin at the back of your baby?s neck to help estimate the odds of Down syndrome. (If there?s a high likelihood, an amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling gives you an actual diagnosis. Depending on the policies where your test is performed, partners are welcome either for the entire scan or are allowed to come in at the end.
Read more: What you need to know about ultrasounds > Bloodwork

Tests include: blood type, anaemia, hepatitis B, rubella, syphilis, HIV, Down syndrome, genetic disorders, rhesus (or Rh) factor (whether you have a positive or negative blood type). If your Rh factor differs from your baby?s, you may have an immunological reaction to your baby?s blood, which can be managed by your doctor.
Second Trimester
Urine samples

See first trimester.
20-week ultrasound

Involves an ?anomaly scan? to ensure the baby is developing normally. The umbilical cord, placenta and amniotic fluid are also checked. Gender can often be determined at this stage (though not all hospitals will divulge the info, even if you want to know). A thorough scan can take longer than an hour.
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