You probably won't need to ask as many questions about routine procedures such as blood and urine tests. But for screens such as ultrasound--and especially for diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis--you'll want to ensure that the benefits outweigh any possible risks.
Print this list of questions you may want to ask when your doctor says you need a prenatal test:
- Why should this test be performed?
- How will the test be done?
- What risks, if any, does the test pose to the baby or to me?
- How experienced are the people doing the tests, and how dependable are the results?
- When and from whom will I get results?
- What typically happens following good or bad results?
- How might the results change the management of my pregnancy?
- What could happen if the test is not done?
- Could we get the same information in another way? How?
- What is the cost, and will it be covered by my insurance?
