Do I need to fast for a pregnancy blood test?

In order to know the development of the fetus and the health status of the pregnant woman in time, the expectant mother needs to undergo many examinations during pregnancy, which is often called prenatal check-up. There are several examinations that require blood tests. Many expectant mothers often wonder when doing blood tests during pregnancy. Do they need to be on an empty stomach when having blood drawn during pregnancy? Now let's find out whether pregnancy blood tests require fasting.

1. Do I need to be on an empty stomach for a pregnancy blood test?

Whether you need to fast for the prenatal blood test depends on the items of your prenatal check-up. Generally, only liver function, kidney function, and blood sugar tests require fasting blood tests. Blood lipid tests also require fasting, while routine blood tests do not require fasting. If you are not sure which prenatal check-ups to take, it is recommended that you do not eat breakfast, go on an empty stomach, bring breakfast with you, and eat after consulting a doctor or having your blood drawn.

Examination items that require fasting:

1. It is best to check the liver on an empty stomach:

For example, blood tests for liver function, kidney function, and ultrasound examinations of the liver, such as examinations for cirrhosis and liver cancer, all need to be performed on an empty stomach to avoid affecting the test results.

2. An abdominal examination requires fasting:

Because fasting is mainly to reduce the interference of gastrointestinal contents on the ultrasonic beam and to ensure that the gallbladder and bile duct are sufficiently filled to ensure that the image obtained during the examination is clearer.

Items that do not require fasting for examination:

1. Fetal B-ultrasound examination:

Ultrasound for pregnant women is different from ordinary physical examination. It is mainly to check the health of the baby in the uterus. You only need to hold your urine before the examination and keep your bladder full so that you can clearly see the situation in the uterus. Therefore, pregnant women do not need to be on an empty stomach for B-ultrasound.

There is no need to fast when doing chest, heart, gynecological and other examinations, as it will not affect the results of the examination.