About pregnancy testing
If you suspect you're pregnant, a quantitative Beta-HCG blood test is more accurate than a urine pregnancy test — it can confirm pregnancy as early as 6–8 days after conception and the actual number helps date the pregnancy and track its progression.
Once pregnancy is confirmed, the first-trimester bloodwork package includes: blood group and Rh factor (essential for Rh-negative mothers), TSH (untreated hypothyroidism is a major risk for miscarriage and developmental issues), complete blood count (iron status), urine routine (infection and protein screen), and infection screens — HIV, hepatitis B, VDRL/syphilis, rubella IgM (these affect baby's development and need treatment).
Vitamin D and iron tests are routine because deficiencies are both common and consequential during pregnancy — affecting bone development, anaemia and gestational outcomes. Toxoplasma serology is recommended for mothers exposed to cats or who eat undercooked meat.