What to check in early pregnancy

In the early stages of pregnancy, women will actively take measures to check their bodies because they are afraid that they may not conceive successfully or that the fetus in their belly may have any adverse symptoms. This is very important for the physical condition of the pregnant woman and the fetus. There are many tests that women need to do in the early stages of pregnancy, such as routine blood tests, Down syndrome screening tests, etc. The following is a detailed introduction to what needs to be checked in the early stages of pregnancy.

What tests should be done in early pregnancy

1. Down syndrome screening test. The Down syndrome screening test tests the concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG), free estriol (uE3) and inhibin A in the pregnant woman's blood, and combines the pregnant woman's age to accurately calculate the risk of each pregnant woman having a fetus with Down syndrome using a computer.

2. Early pregnancy check-ups are generally conducted within a period of no more than 12 weeks of pregnancy. The main items of examination include recording past medical history: drug sensitivity history, family history, menstrual history, pregnancy history, etc., to understand whether there are any diseases that may affect pregnancy.

Full body examination: blood pressure, weight, height, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, thyroid, breasts, etc., to understand the development and nutritional status of the pregnant woman. Gynecological examination: position and size of the uterus, whether it is consistent with the month of pregnancy, and confirm whether there is genital inflammation, deformity, tumor, etc. Laboratory tests: routine blood test, routine urine test, hepatitis B surface antigen, liver function test, syphilis screening, electrocardiogram, exclusion of anemia, urinary tract infection, hepatitis B, hypertension, heart disease, etc.

3. Routine blood test. Routine blood examination items include the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets. For routine blood tests, blood is collected from the finger or earlobe by acupuncture, diluted and dripped onto a special calculation plate, which is then placed under a microscope to count the number of blood cells. A routine blood test is a basic physical examination item. Its significance lies in that it can detect early signs of many systemic diseases, diagnose anemia, blood system diseases, and reflect the hematopoietic function of the bone marrow.

Dietary considerations during early pregnancy

1. Eat more whole grains. Pregnant women should not eat too refined food, but a combination of coarse and fine foods so as to avoid nutritional deficiencies. Corn: Pregnant women who eat corn regularly can enhance their physical strength and endurance, and effectively prevent and treat megaloblastic anemia during pregnancy. Sweet potato: Sweet potato is rich in essential minerals such as iron and calcium. Eating it can make the skin of pregnant women white, tender and delicate. Brown rice: In addition to folic acid, zinc, magnesium, iron and phosphorus, brown rice also contains a variety of vitamins. These minerals are essential nutrients for pregnant women. Therefore, pregnant women should eat more to meet the nutritional needs of the fetus.

2. Supplement vitamins and folic acid: Vitamin B group, A, C, D, E, K and folic acid are essential nutrients for pregnant women. Foods like liver, wheat germ, and yeast can relieve the discomforts of pregnancy, such as nausea, headaches, insomnia, and cramps. In addition, you must eat more fruits and vegetables to prevent constipation and make bowel movements smoother.

3. Foods that should be avoided or consumed in small amounts: caffeine. Coffee, strong tea, cocoa and other foods containing caffeine. Drinking large amounts of caffeinated foods can cause fetal growth retardation or even deformities, so pregnant women should eat less of them. Longan is warm in nature and sweet in taste. The sweet and warm taste can easily cause getting inflamed. Eating it in early pregnancy may cause abdominal pain, fetal movement and bleeding, and in severe cases may cause miscarriage or premature birth. Therefore, it is not suitable for consumption.