Below is a list of the prenatal tests generally offered by Korean hospitals. You may want to check with your birthing facility whether their schedule differs from this, and to which extent.
Note: ALL tests, ultrasounds and procedures are optional (although they may not be presented to you as such). If you have questions or concerns, talk to your provider and/or do your research before you have the procedure/test.
If you are concerned about costs, check the cost of each procedure before you have it done, whether it is covered by the National Health Insurance system, and if not, ask whether there are facilities (Health Offices) that offer the test free of charge.
Routine Checkups
Weight and blood pressure are checked at every appointment.
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Early Pregnancy |
Urine test (proteinuria, diabetes, infections) General blood test (blood type, white blood cells, red blood cell volume, hemoglobin, platelets, liver function, kidney function) Rubella test Hepatitis B test STD test (syphilis, HIV) Cervical cancer screening (PAP smear) Internal ultrasound (confirm pregnancy, fetal heartbeat after 6-8 weeks) |
M O N T H L Y
A P P O I N T M E N T S |
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11-14 weeks |
Ultrasound (check size/location of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, heart rate) Double marker test + nuchal translucency (screening for neural tube defects, congenital heart anomalies, and chromosome abnormalities such as Down syndrome) Chorionic villus sampling/amniocentesis – if high risk Fetal DNA testing (NIPT test, cell free DNA test) – if desired |
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16-18 weeks
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Quad screen (second trimester follow-up for neural tube defects and chromosome abnormalities) Ultrasound (check size/location of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, heart rate) |
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18-22 weeks |
Anatomy scan (detailed ultrasound) |
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24-28 weeks |
Gestational Diabetes screening test Ultrasound (check size/location of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, heart rate) |
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From 32 weeks |
Ultrasound (check size/location of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, heart rate) |
EVERY TWO WEEKS |
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From 36-38 weeks |
Non-stress test Group B Streptococcus test Urine test (proteinuria, diabetes, infections) General blood test (blood type, white blood cells, red blood cell volume, hemoglobin, platelets) Ultrasound (check size/location of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid, heart rate) |
WEEKLY |
(Source: Mom’s Handbook, Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare)