Test Overview

An obstetric panel is a group of blood tests done to check your health before and during early pregnancy. The results of these tests can help find certain problems during the pregnancy. They can also help guide any treatment you may need during pregnancy or treatment the baby may need right after birth.

Blood type, antibody screening, and a complete blood count (CBC) are all part of an obstetric panel. Your doctor or midwife can check to see if you have Rh-negative blood. If you have this blood type and your baby has Rh-positive blood, this is called Rh incompatibility. Although it is not known for sure what the baby's blood type is, steps can be taken to prevent problems caused by the incompatibility.

Other tests in the panel show if an infection such as syphilis or hepatitis B is present. Another test can show if you are immune to rubella. Rubella is also known as German measles. You will also be tested to see if you are infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).