When you confirm your pregnancy at home with a kit, the next thing you do is visit a doctor. Your doctor will prescribe you medication, along with that they will give you a certain blood test and scan to be done. The next question that comes up in your mind is how many more scans or tests have to be done throughout the pregnancy? Why is all this done? What is the purpose behind this? To have clear information about all these do read below.

First trimester
         The first few tests that would be done includes checking your hemoglobin, urine, sugar levels, and thyroid. Along with that, a blood test that includes checking your sugar level, thyroid, iron, etc. would be done. Your bleeding time (BT) and clotting time (CT) would also be tested. These two determine the amount of time your body takes to stop bleeding. These values are very helpful during your delivery since you bleed at that time. With these to rule out any sexually transmitted diseases HIV, HCV, VDRL, and HbsAg would be done. Your doctor will prescribe you a scan after 5 weeks to check whether the heartbeat has come for the baby and the gestational sac is formed. In case no heartbeat is detected or the sac is not formed then your doctor would advise you to repeat the scan after two weeks.

         The next scan would be performed between 11-13 weeks. It is known as the Nuchal Translucency scan (NT Scan). It is helpful to rule out chromosomal abnormalities such as down syndrome as well as congenital heart diseases. The NT scan measures the fluid filled space behind the baby’s neck. In case of any abnormalities, there would be fluid collected in the back of the neck resulting in increased space. So this scan is very important to know these details. Along with this, a test called double marker is done. It is also used to rule out down’s syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. If there is any abnormality in the NT scan or the double marker test then further tests would be suggested.

Second trimester
         A Fetal Anomaly scan is done anywhere between 16-21 weeks. It is commonly known as the TIFFA scan. It shows the complete profile of the baby’s organ and also helps to detect if there are any birth defects. It also gives information regarding the placental position, the volume of amniotic fluid, the position of the baby, length of the cervix, and information on the baby's weight. A fetal echo is also performed with this to rule out any abnormalities in the baby’s heart. Between 20-24 weeks your sugar levels will also be retested along with hemoglobin, urine routine and thyroid if necessary.

Third trimester
         Fetal ultrasound is done between 28-30 weeks to check the placental position, blood flow in the umbilicus, fluid volume, baby position, and size. It also shows whether the baby’s organs have matured and helps to rule out cord around the baby’s neck. Sugar and hemoglobin levels are re-tested and thyroid is checked if necessary. Another growth scan is done at 34-37 weeks of gestation to further monitor the growth of the baby.