Pregnancy Tests

There are several tests that a woman may have to experience during her pregnancy. Some of these are optional, while others are typically routine. The following pregnancy glossary lists common tests that could be performed. * Alpha-fetoprotein screening (AFP)-A blood test which measures alpha-fetoprotein levels in the mother's blood. Any abnormal levels could indicate twins, wrong due date, risk of Down syndrome, or brain/spinal defects. * Amniocentesis-A test performed between 15 and 20 weeks of a woman't pregnancy that could show chromosomal abnormalities. * Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)-A test that can be performed between 10 and 12 weeks of pregnancy and can show chromosomal abnormalities. * Glucose Tolerance Test-This blood test evaluates a woman's response to sugar and can indicate gestational diabetes.