8 Maternal Health Checkups You Should Not Miss

2. Early blood tests and baseline screens

Early blood work gives a snapshot of your health and flags issues that can affect pregnancy care. Typical tests ordered at or soon after the first visit include a complete blood count to look for anemia, blood type and Rh status, and infectious disease screens that your provider deems appropriate. Knowing your Rh factor early matters because if you are Rh-negative and the fetus is Rh-positive, follow-up antibody testing and preventive measures may be needed. Baseline tests also let clinicians check thyroid function or immunity to illnesses like rubella when relevant. These labs guide whether you need supplements such as iron or adjustments to existing medications. Results can take a few days; clinics often use these findings to decide when to repeat tests or refer you to a specialist. Keep copies of your results and ask for plain-language explanations if anything is unclear. If you encounter access or cost concerns, ask the clinic about lab bundles, sliding-scale programs, or community health resources to make sure essential screens are completed.