Diagnosis of Infection in Pregnancy
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The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and do a physical exam.
The tests you will have depend on your symptoms, medical history, and how far along you are in your pregnancy. Your healthcare provider may do the following tests to find out whether you or your developing baby has an infection:
Amniocentesis —This procedure, done if chorioamnionitis is suspected, involves the removal of a small amount of amniotic fluid (the water surrounding a developing baby) from the uterus. While this is usually used to detect genetic problems with the developing baby, it can also help the doctor know if there is an infection present.
Blood test —Your blood is checked for the number of white blood cells and the presence of antibodies. Antibodies are proteins that your body has made to fight an infection.
Culture —The doctor will gently swab your vagina and/or rectum to see if an infection is present. The swab will then be examined under a microscope in the office or the culture will be sent to a laboratory for testing.
Ultrasound —A technician will hold a device over the abdomen that bounces sound waves off the uterus and your developing baby. The sound waves make electrical impulses that create a picture of the baby on a video monitor. This helps the doctor check for any fetal abnormalities that might indicate an infection (usually viral) in the mother.
Urinalysis —This is a test to check for bacteria in the urine. After you urinate into a cup, your healthcare provider will use a specially treated paper strip to check for bacteria in the urine. Urine can also be sent to a laboratory for identification of specific bacteria.
References:
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Avoiding infections in pregnancy. UpToDate Patient Information website. Available at: http://patients.uptodate.com/topic.asp?file=pregnan/2251 . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/bacterialvaginoses.htm . Accessed September 13, 2005.
B streptococcal disease (GBS). National Center for Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/groupbstrep_g.htm . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Chickenpox (varicella). March of Dimes website. Available at: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pnhec/188_675.asp . Accessed September 2, 2005.
Chorioamnionitis. Cleveland Clinic Foundation website. Available at: http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3800/3857.asp?index=12309 . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cmv.htm . Accessed September 10, 2005.
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Group B strep: How to protect your baby. MayoClinic website. Available at: http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?id=PR00079 . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Herpes during pregnancy: What you should know. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/760.xml . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Listeria and pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/listeria.html . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Parvovirus B19 infection and pregnancy. National Center for Infectious Diseases website. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/revb/respiratory/B19&preg.htm . Accessed September 13, 2005.
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Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy. American Academy of Family Physicians website. Available at: http://familydoctor.org/180.xml . Accessed September 13, 2005.
Urinary tract infection during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at: http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancycomplications/utiduringpreg.html . Accessed September 2, 2005.
Last reviewed June 2007 by Ganson Purcell Jr., MD, FACOG, FACPE
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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