33 A rise in blood pressure later in pregnancy could be a sign of pre-eclampsia, a condition which may lead to complications if it s not monitored or treated. Do you know when ultrasound scans were first used for medical purposes? It is important to know if you are rhesus negative because, in that case, you need extra care to reduce the risk of rhesus disease, which occurs when the mother s body develops antibodies that attack the baby s blood cells. ONLINE RESOURCES Amniocentesis ANTENATAL SCREENING TESTS Pregnant women in Italy are given all necessary information about pregnancy through a document called Agenda di gravidanza (Pregnancy Diary), which includes a list of necessary steps to take in the first weeks as well as a list of all important examinations and medical visits to undergo. Common screening tests Screening tests and checks are used to find babies with a higher chance of a health problems so as to provide them with potentially more effective treatment or allow their parents more time to make informed decisions. Here is a list of the most common tests to perform; some of these are repeated multiple times during pregnancy, others vary depending on the period, others are only advised. Urine tests, to check for infections. Group B Strep culture, to look for group B Streptococcus, a type of bacteria in the lower genital tract of women which is the most common cause of lifethreatening infections in newborns. External palpation of the uterus. Blood pressure test. Weight and height check, to calculate body mass index and keep weight levels under control. Pelvic and breast examination. jaundice: ittero platelet: piastrina rubella: rosolia sample: campione thrush: candida Blood tests and scans to check, for example red, white, and platelet blood cells, iron, HIV, toxoplasmosis, Rh type , infections, syphilis, rubella, hepatitis B. Ultrasound scans , to check placenta and amniotic fluid, and foetal heartbeat, anatomy, position, behaviour, activity, and growth. Ultrasound for foetal nuchal translucency, to check for any increased fluid or thickening of the area which may indicate problems. Foetal monitoring Extra screening tests Depending on the results of common tests, and the parents age and medical history, some further examinations may be advised: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), to measure the level of sugar in the mother s blood and diagnose gestational diabetes; Amniocentesis, which involves taking a small sample of the amniotic fluid to diagnose chromosomal disorders and neural tube defects; Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS), which involves taking a small sample of some of the placental tissue to test for chromosomal abnormalities and other genetic problems; Foetal monitoring, to check the rate and rhythm of the foetal heartbeat. 78 BABIES AND CHILDREN Ultrasound scan