Pathofast Lab offers blood tests for pregnancy diagnosis and monitoring with home sample pickup in various locations across Pune.
Lab tests for pregnancy include tests to detect pregnancy(Beta-HCG), tests for the mother's general health, tests to detect infections that can be transmitted from mother to child and tests for complications of pregnancy like diabetes.
Use the form, to book an appointment for your pregnancy test
Pregnancy is when a mother has conceived together with her male partner.A Pregnancy test refers to a blood test called Beta HCG. Other Tests are also necessary in the different months of pregnancy to monitor various infections in the mother, diabetes and genetic abnormalities in the baby.
Pregnant women should be tested every 3 months, for their general well being. This is called the Antenatal Profile or Antenatal Checkup and includes tests like CBC, Urine Routine, HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Blood Group Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Folate Test, Iron Test, Random Sugar Test.
These tests ensure that the mother has adequate Hemoglobin, Iron stores, and vitamin levels and is not carrying any STD Infections. These tests are important as they have a direct bearing on the health of the developing child.
| Time/Month of Pregnancy | Name of the Test | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks to 6 weeks | Beta HCG Blood Test for Pregnancy | Detect Pregnancy |
| First Trimester (11-13 weeks) | Double Marker, TORCH Test | Detect Down's Syndrome in Baby, Check for infections in mother |
| Second Trimester (15-20 weeks) | Triple Marker and Quadruple Marker tests, TORCH Test | Detect Genetic Abnormalities in Baby, Check for infections in mother |
| Third Trimester (>24 weeks) | pregnancy glucose tolerance test | Screens for Diabetes in Pregnancy |
| Optional Tests / Rare Tests | APLA Antibodies, Hemoglobin Electrophoresis Test | Screens for APS Syndrome in susceptible mothers |
| Every 3 months | Antenatal Profile(ANC Test) | Screens for STD's, nutritional deficiencies and general infections in the mother |
A blood test called Beta-HCG Test can help to detect pregnancy. It detects the level of Beta-Human Chorionic Gonadoptrophin - a hormone released from teh placenta (connection between mother and baby). The levels of Beta-HCG double every 24 hours in the first 3 months of pregnancy. The blood test does not give a result of positive/negative, rather it will provide a value of the Beta-HCG level and this has to be compared to expected values, based on the week of gestation. The BETA-Hcg test can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days, but it must be repeated at least once for confirmation.
A urine pregnancy test can also be done to detect HCG, as it is released into the urine. Urine tests are not recommended for pregnancy diagnosis, as they have a lower accuracy than blood tests. For instance, if a urine test is done after the patient drinks a large amount of water, the test may be false negative. We do not perform the urine pregnancy test at our lab for these reasons.
Ultrasound (USG) can visualize the pregnancy around 4-5 weeks. This is the earliest date at which visual proof of the pregnancy can be estimated.
| Week of Gestation | Name of Test that Can Diagnose Pregnancy |
|---|---|
| 2 Weeks and more | Beta-HCG Blood Test |
| 4 weeks or more | USG (Transvaginal Ultrasound) |
| 7-8 Weeks | USG (Abdominal Ultrasounbd) |
The first trimester refers to the first 3 months of pregnancy. These tests are aimed at finding preventable infections in the mother, and checking for early genetic abnormalities in the fetus.
Also known as Dual Marker or First Trimester Screen, this test is a blood test that is done around week 11-14 to check for genetic abnormalities in the developing fetus. It screens for Trisomy 18,21 (Down's Syndrome). It measures levels of PPAP-A and Free-Beta HCG, and uses a statistical calculation to determine how likely the fetus is, to carry some genetic abnormalities. For this test a USG report is also required, as well as the weight of the mother and whether she is a smoker.
Some doctors advise getting tested for the TORCH group of infections - Toxoplasma, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus, Herpes. These infections can be transmitted from mother to child. These infections must be detected as early as possible. If the fetus acquires these infections in the first trimester, an abortion may be required. This is a simple blood test. TORCH test is done as a screening test and avidity tests are done if any of the initial tests are positive.
This profile is a group of 6-7 tests that are directed at evaluating the general health of the mother. These tests are to be done, at the beginning (first three months) and thereafter at every visit to the doctor. These tests include : CBC, Urine Routine, HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis, Blood Group Test, Vitamin B12 Test, Folate Test, Iron Test, Random Sugar Test. Of these, the Vitamin B12, Folate and Iron tests check for nutritional deficiencies in the mother. These can then be corrected immediately with supplements. The infections tested at this stage include HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis and at times, Hepatitis C. These are STD's that can be transmitted from mother to child and hence should be ruled out as early as possible. The other routine tests like CBC, and Urine Routine help rule out any general infection in the body. CBC Test is essential to know if the mother's hemoglobin is adequate. Some labs also include the Blood Group Test at this stage.
The second trimester is the month 3-6 of pregnancy. During this period, the third ANC Profile and some additional genetic abnormality tests are to be done. Optionally the TORCH Tests can also be repeated.
triple marker Test: This test is performed to screen for chromosomal abnormalities and neural tube defects in the developing fetus. It measures levels of three substances: alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and estriol. This test also needs a blood sample and a USG report.
quadruple marker Test: Similar to the triple marker Test, this test also screens for chromosomal abnormalities. It includes the same three markers as the triple marker Test, plus an additional marker called inhibin-A, which enhances the accuracy of the screening. This test also needs a blood sample and USG report.
As described above, this involves repeating the ANC profile.
During the third trimester, a final ANC profile test should be done. Together with this, screening for diabetes in pregnancy should be done.
Gestational diabetes mellitus, commonly referred to as GDM, is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and typically disappears after childbirth.It occurs because the placenta (connection between mother and baby) produces substances that cause insulin resistance. This means that the body is unable to metabolize sugar as it is prevented from using insulin effectively. GDM is typically diagnosed using a blood test called the Pregnancy Glucose Tolerance Test. It is done at week 24 of the pregnancy(or the beginning of the 6th month)
During pregnancy, the placenta produces hormones that can lead to insulin resistance, making it more challenging for the body to use insulin effectively.
Gaining too much weight during pregnancy can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes, as it can interfere with the body’s ability to manage blood sugar levels.
A family history of diabetes, particularly in close relatives, can increase the likelihood of developing diabetes during pregnancy due to genetic predisposition.
: This test provides an average blood sugar level over the past 2-3 months. Elevated HbA1c levels indicate poor blood sugar control and can help diagnose diabetes during pregnancy. It’s a key marker for long-term glucose regulation, offering insight into the mother's overall diabetes management.
: These tests measure the amount of insulin in the blood. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar levels. Abnormal insulin levels can indicate insulin resistance or beta-cell dysfunction, which are common in gestational diabetes. Monitoring insulin levels helps in tailoring the treatment plan to ensure optimal health for both mother and baby.
TORCH is a short form for Toxoplasma, Others, Rubella, Cytomegalovirus and Herpes
Each of these infections is important in pregnancy because it can be transmitted from mother to child, and can cause major abnormalities in the fetus, sometimes necessiating termination of pregnancy.
Hemoglobin Electrophoresis helps to detect abnormal hemoglobins in the mother. These can be passed to the child. Ideally Hemoglobin Screening should be done as a part of premarital screening tests, so that couples who are likely to produce children with abnormal hemoglobins can be appropriately counselled.
The Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is a cutting-edge screening method used during pregnancy to detect certain genetic conditions in the unborn baby.Unlike traditional invasive tests, NIPT analyzes small fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother's blood, making it a safer option for both the mother and the baby
Typically recommended for women at higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities, this test can be performed as early as the 10th week of pregnancy.With its high accuracy rate, NIPT offers expecting parents valuable insights into their baby's health without the risks associated with invasive procedures.
Some diseases like APS(Anti Phospholipid Syndrome) can produce complications during childbirth by causing clotting of blood in the mothers body.
Most pregnancy blood tests do not require any special preparation. The only test which requires special preparation is the pregnancy glucose tolerance test for diabetes, before which the mother has to fast for 8-12 hours. The double, triple and quadruple marker tests require a USG report to be provided to the lab at the time of blood sample collection.
Pathofast Lab in Pune,Camp is centrally located and offers home sample collection services for Pregnancy Tests in Pune. Home pickup is available in various areas
| Area/Locality in Pune | Home Sample Facility | Transport Charges |
|---|---|---|
| Jangli Maharaj Nagar | Available | 100 INR |
| Ravet | Available | 200 INR |
| Viman Nagar | Available | 150 INR |
| Shastrinagar, Yerawada | Available | 100 INR |
| NIBM Undri Road, Kondhwa | Available | 100 INR |
| Camp | Available | 0 INR |
| Aundh | Available | 200 INR |
| Baner | Available | 200 INR |
| Dattwadi | Available | 200 INR |
| Undri | Available | 200 INR |
| Pimpri-Chinchwad | Available | 200 INR |
| Kalyani Nagar | Available | 50 INR |
| Koregaon Park | Available | 50 INR |
| Sadashiv Peth | Available | 100 INR |
The following is a list of references with more information about pregnancy testing
