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Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Routine Prenatal Tests and Screening Recommendations
Routine prenatal testing is recommended to check that you're healthy and that your baby is developing properly. Many of these tests are routinely recommended. Others are recommended only in certain situations. The tests available to you depend on your stage of pregnancy:
| First trimester | Second trimester | Third trimester |
| Anemia | Anemia | |
| Diabetes | Diabetes | |
| Rh Blood Antibody (first test) | Rh Blood Antibody (second test) | RhoGAM shot |
| Ultrasound | Ultrasound (level 1 scan) | |
| Hepatitis B | ||
| Syphilis | ||
| Rubella and Varicella immunity | ||
| HIV | ||
| Pelvic Exams | ||
| Group B Streptococcus (GBS) |
Anemia test
The test for anemia (low iron level) is a simple blood test called a complete blood count (CBC). It checks the number of red cells in your blood to see if you have adequate amounts of iron.
Women who don't have enough iron in their blood may feel extra tired or dizzy and can sometimes faint. We will share the results with you and make recommendations about your iron needs. You are more likely to have anemia if:
- You have had several babies in a short period of time.
- You don’t eat enough foods rich with iron and folic acid.
- You are pregnant with more than one baby.
Anemia is common, especially for pregnant women. We can help ensure that you have a plan to get the iron that you and your baby need.
Rh antibody screen test
If your blood type is Rh negative and the baby's father has an Rh blood type that is positive, you could develop an immune reaction to your baby's blood that would result in health problems for the baby. Complications from this reaction can be prevented if discovered early.
In the first trimester, the blood antibody screen test is a simple blood test that checks for your blood type.
In the second trimester if you do have Rh negative blood, we'll give you a second blood antibody screening test. The test checks for antibodies that could cause problems for both the mother and baby. This is a simple blood test that is done at 24 to 28 weeks only if you have an Rh negative blood type.
In the third trimester if you are Rh negative and have no Rh antibodies in your blood, you will receive a RhoGAM shot, at about 28 weeks, to prevent you from developing antibodies (an immune reaction) to your baby's blood.
Hepatitis B virus test
Hepatitis is a virus that attacks the liver. There are different kinds of hepatitis viruses, and some are transmitted by having sex with an infected partner. Most adults who get hepatitis B have it for a short time and then get better.
It's important to be tested for hepatitis B during your pregnancy, because if you do have it you could pass it to your baby. A blood test during your first trimester can diagnose hepatitis B.
Syphilis test
Syphilis is a disease caused by bacteria called Treponema Pallidum. An infected person can pass the disease to others, and when left untreated, syphilis can progress to a late stage that causes serious health problems.
Mothers who have syphilis can pass it to their babies during pregnancy, so it's important to be tested. A blood test during your first trimester can diagnose syphilis. If you do have syphilis, we can treat it and prevent health problems for both you and your baby.
Rubella and varicella immunity test
Most people receive vaccines for rubella and varicella in childhood, but it's good to check to make sure. Rubella is sometimes called German measles and is very rare in the United States. Your chances of getting rubella are very small, even if you haven't been vaccinated.
During the first trimester, we check to see if you've been vaccinated because if you do have this disease, it could harm your baby.
Get your pertussis vaccination
Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is a contagious disease that can spread easily from person to person through coughing. When babies get whooping cough, it can be life-threatening. You can protect your baby by getting a Tdap vaccine before you are pregnant, during pregnancy, or after giving birth. Partners and families can be vaccinated at any time, but preferably before the birth of the baby so they don't infect their newborn. It is safe for mothers to get the Tdap vaccine while breastfeeding.
If you are not sure if you and your family members have been properly vaccinated against whooping cough, you can find out by viewing your Preventive Services online through my home page or by contacting my office.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test
HIV is a virus that attacks the immune system, the body's natural defense system. Without a strong immune system, your body has trouble fighting off disease.
A mother who has HIV can give the virus to her baby during pregnancy or during or after birth. We can take steps to decrease the likelihood that this will happen, so if you are HIV positive, it's important for us to know right away. A simple blood test can tell us whether you carry this virus.
Ultrasound
An ultrasound test uses high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound has been used for 25 years and is considered safe for both mother and baby.
In order to do this test, an ultrasound device is placed on your abdomen or in your vagina. The device sends sound waves to your uterus, which allows a picture of your baby to appear on a video monitor.
If you plan to have an abdominal sonogram, a full bladder is required for the test to work. We will give you more information on how to prepare for your ultrasound during one of your prenatal visits.
During the first trimester an ultrasound test is routinely offered to all pregnant women. This ultrasound may also be called a screening ultrasound.
During this ultrasound, we can:
- Confirm the estimated delivery date (EDD).
- Evaluate the location of the fetus.
- Find out more about the placenta and baby.
- Look for more than one baby.
A second trimester screening ultrasound, done between 17 to 20 weeks of pregnancy, is routinely offered to all pregnant women. This ultrasound may also be called a screening ultrasound or a level 1 scan.
During the second trimester ultrasound, we will:
- Examine your baby from head-to-toe to make sure its anatomy looks healthy.
- Evaluate the position of the fetus, the location of the placenta, and the amount of amniotic fluid.
We often discover the baby's gender (boy or girl) during this screening; however this is not the main purpose of the ultrasound. Let us know whether or not you want to be informed of your baby's gender before birth.
In the third trimester most women do not need an ultrasound as a routine prenatal procedure. However, we may recommend that you have another ultrasound in the last few months of pregnancy for the following reasons:
- There may be a special, medical need to check fetal growth and fluid, especially if you have a high risk condition such as hypertension.
- To check the position of the placenta.
- To check the baby's position to make sure the baby's head is down before labor starts.
Diabetes test
Some women may also need a diabetes test early in the pregnancy in addition to the usual diabetes testing done at around 25 to 28 weeks. We will let you know if you need this particular test.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.