Physical examination can help detect unusual features of the pregnancy that may affect the mother's health or be a concern for delivery. Some medications may require a change in dose, substitution of another medicine, or elimination of medication altogether because of potential harm to the fetus. Yet other medications may be prescribed to handle medical conditions that arise during pregnancy. A woman should not stop taking any medication for a chronic condition without discussing it with her physician, ideally before she becomes pregnant. She and her physician can then decide if the need for the medication outweighs its risks.
Specialized tests are also available to assess the health and condition of the baby.
Genetic counseling may be given to expectant parents so appropriate decisions can be made regarding testing and results. Guided by an ultrasound picture, the doctor inserts a needle through the woman's abdomen to a place where fluid around the infant can be safely withdrawn. Amniocentesis takes about 30 minutes and causes only minor discomfort. The procedure is recommended for women over 35 because it is one of the most reliable tests for finding Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal defects, neural tube defects, and many metabolic disorders. It cannot, however, reveal all possible birth defects.