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Common Prenatal Labs Complete Blood Count (CBC): The CBC is a broad screening blood test used to look for anemia, infection and a variety of other systemic diseases. Rapid Plasma Reagin (RPR): The RPR is a screening test used to measure the amount of antibodies called reagins in a person’s blood. Reagins can be produced by the body in response to the bacteria Treponema Pallidum. Treponema Pallidum is the bacteria the causes syphilis. The body does not always only produce reagins in response to Treponema Pallidum however. It can also produce reagins in people with autoimmune disorders like Lupus and HIV, resulting in false positive results.

Type and Screen: The type and screen is a blood test used to determine some ones blood type. The type and screen also detects whether or not someone has antibodies to certain components of red blood cells. If a pregnant women does have antibodies to certain components of red blood cells her immune system can potentially attack the red blood cells of her growing fetus. This disorder is known as Rh isoimmunization.

Hepatitis Panel: A hepatitis panel is a screening test used to detect the presence of antibodies to the various forms of the hepatitis virus. If antibodies are present this indicates that a person is infected with a hepatitis virus, was infected with a hepatitis virus or has been immunized against a hepatitis virus.

HIV screening (Elisa): The Elisa test is an HIV screening test that detects the presence of antibodies in the blood to HIV. If antibodies to HIV are detected this indicates that a person has been exposed to the HIV virus. A second confirmatory test known as a Western Blot is ordered in people with positive Elisa tests to confirm the diagnosis.

Rubella Titers: Titers (the quantity) of Rubella antibodies in a person’s blood can be detected by sending off a patient’s blood for “rubella titers” If titers are present this means a person has been exposed to or immunized against rubella (a.k.a. the “German measles” or the “3-day measles”). If titers are not present a person has not been exposed to or immunized against rubella. Rubella titers are drawn at the first prenatal visit to determine whether or not a woman is rubella immune, because pregnant women who are not immune are at risk for a “congenital rubella infection” which can lead to fetal cataracts, glaucoma, heart abnormalities, deafness and mental retardation.

Triple/Quadruple Screen: The triple and quadruple screen tests are routine blood tests drawn on all pregnant women between 14 to 20 weeks of gestation. These tests detect the level of pregnancy related hormones (Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, Estrogen, Alpha-Feto protein and in the quadruple screen Inhibin A as well). Based on the levels of these hormones the screening test can calculate the likelihood of a baby having Down’s syndrome, Spina Bifida or other neural tube defects.

1-Hour Glucola: The 1-hour glucola is a routine screening test carried out in the late second or early third trimester of pregnancy. To take the test a patient is given a 50 gram glucose solution to drink. One hour after drinking the solution their blood is drawn to detect their glucose (sugar) level. This test is used to screen for gestational diabetes.

First Trimester Screening : The first trimester screen is a relatively new screening test that allows for an earlier of a fetuses risk of having either Down's Syndrome or Edwards Syndrome.