A Doppler ultrasound is a very specific type of fetal ultrasound test. Fetal ultrasound is a diagnostic test that may be used to confirm your pregnancy; give your doctor an idea of your baby's gestational age; assess the baby's rate of growth; and identify possible congenital abnormalities or other problems. The Doppler ultrasound can also provide valuable information about your developing child's blood flow.

Pregnancy tests are an effective, affordable and convenient way to determine you are pregnant. Home pregnancy tests require nothing more than a urine sample, while your doctor may use a urine or blood test. If you are taking hormonal birth control, like the pill, Depo-Provera, or the NuvaRing, you may have questions about the effectiveness of home tests if you are concerned about an unplanned pregnancy.

Home pregnancy tests can tell you, with a high degree of accuracy, if you're expecting when used appropriately at the right time after a skipped period. Although a rare occurrence, pregnancy tests may give you a false positive result if you're taking certain medications. The Mayo Clinic indicates that birth control pills aren't a medication that gives you misleading results.

Gestational diabetes is a temporary type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. According to the American Pregnancy Association, between 2 and 5 percent of women develop diabetes during pregnancy -- but between 7 and 9 percent of women acquire gestational diabetes, if they're predisposed to it. Gestational diabetes is associated with certain known risk factors. Although there's no sure-fire way to prevent diabetes during pregnancy, there are simple steps you can take to reduce your risks.

Pap smears are medical tests used to check the health of the cervix. While many women get pap smears as part of their regular wellness exams, your doctor may also perform this test as part of your pregnancy and prenatal workup. Bleeding during pregnancy may also indicate the need for a thorough investigation, including a pap smear.

A home pregnancy test can tell you whether or not you're pregnant, but you have to read it correctly. Though the process can seem straightforward, it's sometimes harder than it looks. Faint lines called "evaporation lines" often show up after 10 minutes, which could cause you to think you received a positive result though you are not pregnant. A negative result doesn't necessarily mean that you're not pregnant, either. Interpret the results of your pregnancy test by knowing what to look for.

Down syndrome is a genetic disorder that happens when your baby has an extra chromosome, usually a copy of chromosomes 18 or 21. That extra chromosome leads to developmental delays and characteristic facial features associated with Down's. There's no way to prevent Down syndrome, but genetic counselors may be able to help you predict how likely you are to have a Down syndrome baby. Screening tests during pregnancy can help you find out if your baby has this condition.

When you are pregnant, you and your baby join together via an organ known as the placenta. The placenta produces a hormone known as human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). The presence of hCG in your body is detectable in your blood stream and in your urine. The QuickVue pregnancy test, manufactured by Quidel Corporation, is a one-step urine test that only requires three drops of urine in the sample well to produce a result.

A home pregnancy test can give you results that are 99 percent accurate on the day that you miss your period, according to MayoClinic.com. Clearblue pregnancy tests are available at most major pharmacies and discount stores, so it may be your brand of choice. Naturally, you want to be sure that you're reading the test results correctly. While the digital version leaves little guesswork, you'll find that the ink-based version is just as easy to read.

When you think you might be pregnant, you want to know as soon as possible. The e.p.t. brand pregnancy test is available over-the-counter (OTC) in most stores, which makes it a popular choice for home pregnancy testing. Though the company offers different versions of the test, such as a digital and analog version, the method of taking the test is the same. In just a few minutes, you could know if you are pregnant.