FIRST TRIMESTER: PRENATAL TESTS FOR LOW-RISK PREGNANCY: HOW MUCH IS THE COST?

One of the most important considerations an expecting mom should do during her pregnancy is to undergo prenatal tests or a series of tests required by her health care provider.

Prenatal tests are done to check mom's health and her baby's. These will ensure that any conditions that will put both mom and baby at risk be treated as soon as they are detected.

WHAT ARE THE TESTS REQUIRED IN THE FIRST TRIMESTER OF PREGNANCY?

Please note that this is NOT an expert's advice. Always consult your doctor.

For reference, I will share with you the tests I did, based on my OB's request.

TRANSVAGINAL SCAN (TVS)

I did a home pregnancy test (PT) - one I did at around 10pm before bedtime and one in the morning at around 5am. For the two tests, I got positive results (two red vertical lines).

I informed my OB about the PT results on our first consultation. And it was the first time I heard of "presumptive pregnancy". She called my pregnancy "presumptive" because it needs to be confirmed via Ultrasound.

‘Di ba accurate ang PT?

My OB's response to that is this: "Hindi 100 percent accurate. But if you do several home PT on different occasions, somehow it increases the probability of true positive PT".

ULTRASOUND is one way to CONFIRM your pregnancy.

TVS yung pinapasok sa vagina? Masakit ba?

Yes, may stick na pinapasok sa vagina. TVS since it was a very early pregnancy when I consulted my OB. I was 8 weeks and 5 days then. After that, I did consecutive abdominal ultrasounds (as required).

Masakit? Well, my OB and I both agreed that pain is SUBJECTIVE. What's painful to me might not be painful to you and vice versa. If you ask me if TVS is painful, nope, it was not painful for me.

Did you know that your first ultrasound is the most accurate? Particularly in estimating the date of delivery. Thus, I tell you to remember your estimated date of delivery or EDD based on your first ultrasound. You will be asked about it many times together with your last day of menstruation period or LMP.

Ano meron sa TVS result?

My TVS result had the following information:

• Crown rump length

• Yolk sac

• Fetal heartbeat

• Average sonar age

• What your CERVIX and UTERUS looks like

• Condition of your ovaries (right and left)

• Expected date of delivery or EDD

• What kind of pregnancy you have, and the number of fetuses found

How much po ang TVS?

Davao City Rate (Women's Ultrasound Center at Toril): ₱900.00 (not including doctor’s consultation fee for the test result reading).

You may look for OB clinics that also offer ultrasound scans to lessen your expense.

BASELINE LABORATORIES such as:

1. Urinalysis (urine sample), ₱60.00

2. CBC (blood sample), ₱140.00

3. HBA1c (blood sample, to check your glucose), ₱500.00.

Note: All test results were NORMAL, so my doctor did not request for additional tests.

OTHER TEST

I did a THYROID TEST (blood sample) to confirm if my thyroid has something to do with my abnormal nausea, vomiting, and food aversion. Thyroid test NORMAL!

My HMO covered my thyroid test expense, ₱0.00.

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In total, it cost me ₱1,600.00 for my first trimester prenatal tests.

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