Becoming pregnant is one of the most exciting times for a new parent. As something so life-altering, it’s only natural that you would want to do everything you can to help your child thrive. When you want to better prepare for your future child’s arrival, there are a few simple tests you can perform to do just that.
Here are some of the most common tests you can try to learn more about your future child’s needs:
Pre-pregnancy carrier screening tests
Have you or your partner been genetically tested? Before you plan on having a child, investing in carrier screening tests can reveal important information about your health.
Even if you don’t show symptoms of a specific disorder, your genetic makeup tell whether or not you’re a carrier of a certain gene. For example, you and your partner might want to get tested to see if you carry the genes for cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. While testing positive doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily pass this gene on to your child, there is a greater likelihood in the event that your partner is also a carrier. Planning for these potential health issues can better prepare you for this diagnosis.
A new parent might also want to invest in protein testing services. These important tests can determine the present state of your health, revealing essential information. In fact, protein testing services can tell whether you’re malnourished, suffering from kidney disease, and more. This simple test can help reveal important information about your current health throughout your pregnancy.
Noninvasive prenatal sampling
Noninvasive prenatal sampling, also known as noninvasive prenatal testing, is a simple blood test designed to reveal important information about your baby. By sampling the mother’s blood, doctors and researchers are able to glean important information about the baby they are carrying. This includes anything from the baby’s sex to any differences in their chromosomes.
Should your baby have a different chromosome makeup, this discovery will better enable you to prepare for the baby’s needs. In some cases, these tests can be performed as early as the first trimester.
Integrated screening
By using a combination of genetic screening tests and ultrasounds, you can monitor your baby’s growth and development in the womb. After all, DNA is just a list of repeating markers in a copy of 20 marker regions. Some issues may not be genetic, meaning that they won’t show up on a prenatal sampling test or through protein testing services. In conjunction with ultrasounds, doctors are able to tell whether or not your baby is developing at the rate they are supposed to. Then, your doctor can make recommendations to help continue or improve the baby’s journey.
These are just some of the options you can consider when pregnancy occurs. For more information on prenatal sampling and protein testing services, rely on ITSI Bio today.