This is usually carried out between weeks 9 and 11, and will identify your blood group, detect any possible anaemias or clotting or platelet alterations and study the serologies (the immune status against infectious diseases that could affect the baby).

This is performed between week 12 and 13. It assesses the different structures of the body (arms, legs, brain, heart...) and can detect malformations at this early stage. The estimated due date can also be estimated based on the measurements of the embryo. Blood flow to the placenta will also be assessed. Two important results are obtained from this examination: 

Biochemical screening

The blood test results are combined with those of the ultrasound to establish the risk of the foetus presenting chromosomic alterations such as Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome. If the result is high-risk, other diagnostic tests will be offered, which include invasive tests such as amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS), or non-invasive tests, such as the Non-Invasive Prenatal Test. Based on your results, the obstetrician will inform you and advise you so that you can make a well-informed decision.

Preeclampsia Screening

The ultrasound results are combined with your personal information (weight, height, blood pressure, medical background...) to calculate your personal risk of suffering preeclampsia, which can increase blood pressure and affect the baby’s growth. If the result is high-risk, treatment with acetylsalicylic acid during pregnancy has been shown to reduce its occurrence. The obstetrician will inform you if this is your case.

This is carried out between weeks 12 and 16 of pregnancy even if there are no urinary symptoms to rule out any possible infection that could affect the foetus. If any risk factors are detected, or if you are younger than 25 years of age, you will also be screened for sexually-transmitted infections.

This is performed around week 25. A blood test is done again to detect possible anaemias, and to retest serologies, if necessary. The O’Sullivan Test is also performed, which assesses your body’s response to sugar. It consists of drinking a sweet liquid, waiting for an hour without drinking or eating anything and then doing the blood test. If the result shows an alteration, another more specific test will be performed to diagnose diabetes. This test will be done another day and you will have to follow a special diet in the days prior to the test. You will be given the results at the next appointment.

This is performed at around 20 weeks and provides a detailed examination of the baby’s anatomy, as well as the placenta and the amniotic fluid. It is an important ultrasound because the organs are formed now and it can help to diagnose the majority of foetal malformations. Should any kind of anomaly be diagnosed, we will explain the meaning and prognosis, and if necessary, further tests can be performed such as blood tests, more exhaustive ultrasounds, and amniocentesis. Nevertheless, there are certain alterations of other characteristics that cannot be diagnosed by ultrasound (mental disability, metabolic problems, chromosome disorders, etc.).

At this stage we will also assess the blood flow in the uterine arteries, which indicate how the placenta is working, and we can detect which women are more at risk of having complications during the pregnancy (such as preeclampsia or problems with the baby’s growth). During this ultrasound we will also suggest measuring the length of the cervix via a vaginal ultrasound, to assess the risk of possible complications, such as a low-lying placenta, a risk of premature birth, etc.

At Sant Pau our team of maternal-foetal medicine specialists can also perform an echocardiogram (full assessment of the heart) or foetal neurosonography (full assessment of the brain) if necessary. 

This is performed between weeks 34 and 36 of pregnancy and it is useful to assess growth, the placenta, the quantity of amniotic liquid and the baby’s position. The baby’s anatomy will also be assessed. If the baby is breech, you will be referred to our multidisciplinary breech birth team to assess your case and explain the different options available. Our hospital is a leading centre in our country for looking after this type of pregnancies. 

This will be performed around week 34 and will assess, among other factors, blood-clotting, which is important for labour.

This is usually performed at the ultrasound (35-37 weeks) to detect the presence of Streptococcus agalactiae, a bacteria that can form part of your vaginal flora and affect the health of your baby at birth. If it is detected that you are a carrier, the recommendation is to be administered antibiotics during labour.

This is performed on your estimated due date, at 40 weeks. It is performed outside of your medical appointments, and consists of placing a belt with two sensors around your abdomen. The sensors are connected to a monitor which records the baby’s heart rate and any contractions. In low-risk pregnancies, it will be performed again in week 41 and then every 48 hours until you go into labour or are induced. In high-risk pregnancies your obstetrician might advise you to start monitoring the baby earlier. 

Although mild symptoms that are no cause for alarm are frequent during pregnancy, it is important to be aware of symptoms that are considered to be signs of alarm and for which we recommend you go to the Emergency Department:

• Regular or painful contractions before week 37.
• Loss of blood or liquid from your genitals.
• Abdominal pain.
• Temperature and/or intense headache.
• Alterations in your vision.
• Urinary discomfort.
• Fewer foetal movements. From week 24 of pregnancy, you should notice daily movements from your baby. You should seek medical advice if:
  • You do not notice any movement at 24 weeks.
  • You notice a change in the usual movement patterns.
  • If you have any doubts, we recommend lying on your left side after your main meal and counting at least 10 movements in two hours.

If you have any doubts, call 061.