Labs to Get ASAP
Knowing which labs to request — and when — can make a real difference in how your pregnancy is managed. This is a starting point, not a substitute for your provider's guidance.
Want to order labs on your own?
You don't always need a provider order to get labs drawn. Both Labcorp and Quest offer direct-to-patient testing — you can order online and get results without a doctor's visit.
First Trimester Labs
These are labs worth requesting early — ideally at your first prenatal appointment or even before. Not all providers order them routinely, so knowing what to ask for matters.
Progesterone
Early pregnancy supportProgesterone is the hormone that maintains the uterine lining and supports early pregnancy. Insufficient progesterone levels in early pregnancy can be associated with an increased risk of miscarriage — yet it's not always included in routine first-trimester labs.
Why it matters
Low progesterone in the first trimester is one of the more actionable findings — supplementation is available and commonly prescribed when levels are low. Catching it early gives you and your provider the chance to intervene before symptoms appear.
How to ask for it
At your first prenatal visit, you can say: "I'd like to have my progesterone checked — can we include that in my first-trimester labs?" If your provider says it's not standard, it's okay to ask what level they'd want to see before considering supplementation.
TSH (Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone)
Thyroid functionRecommended to check early in pregnancy, particularly if you have a history of thyroid disease, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, or previous pregnancy complications. Healthy thyroid function supports both maternal health and your baby's growth and development.
Why it matters
The thyroid works harder during pregnancy — your body needs more thyroid hormone to support both you and your developing baby. Unmanaged hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism during pregnancy has been linked to complications including preterm birth, low birth weight, and developmental concerns. Many women don't know they have a thyroid condition until pregnancy reveals it.
How to ask for it
Ask your provider to include TSH in your first-trimester panel. If you have any of the risk factors above, mention them specifically — it strengthens the case for testing. Discuss your results with your healthcare provider to determine whether any follow-up or treatment is needed.
Urgent Symptoms During Pregnancy
Some symptoms during pregnancy require prompt medical attention — not a wait-and-see approach. Contact your healthcare provider or go to the emergency room right away if you experience any of the following.
First Trimester — Weeks 1–13
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Heavy vaginal bleeding
Severe abdominal or pelvic pain
One-sided pelvic pain or shoulder pain (possible ectopic pregnancy)
Severe dizziness or fainting
Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Persistent vomiting that prevents you from keeping down food or fluids
Pain or burning with urination
Second Trimester — Weeks 14–27
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Vaginal bleeding
Leaking fluid from the vagina
Regular contractions or pelvic pressure before 37 weeks
Severe abdominal pain
Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher
Severe headache that doesn't improve
Vision changes (blurred vision, flashing lights, or spots)
Sudden swelling of the face or hands
Persistent upper right abdominal pain
Severe itching, especially on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet (possible intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy)
Third Trimester — Weeks 28–Birth
Seek prompt medical evaluation if you experience:
Decreased or absent fetal movement
Leaking fluid
Vaginal bleeding
Regular contractions before 37 weeks
Severe headache that won't go away
Vision changes
Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or significant swelling of the legs
Severe upper right abdominal pain
Persistent nausea and vomiting with severe abdominal pain
Severe itching, especially on the hands and feet (possible intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy)
Chest pain, difficulty breathing, or coughing up blood
Seizure or loss of consciousness
Call 911 or Go to the Nearest Emergency Department Immediately If You Have:
Difficulty breathing or severe shortness of breath
Chest pain
Seizure
Loss of consciousness
Heavy vaginal bleeding that soaks a pad within an hour or is accompanied by severe pain or dizziness
Signs of stroke (sudden weakness, facial drooping, difficulty speaking)
Thoughts of harming yourself or your baby
Trust your instincts. If something doesn't feel right, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical care. You know your body best.
Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
Monitoring & awarenessBlood pressure is one of the most important vitals monitored throughout pregnancy. Understanding what's normal — and what's not — helps you advocate for yourself at every appointment.
Blood pressure ranges
Normal
Below 120/80 mmHg
Elevated
120–129 / below 80 mmHg
High (Stage 1)
130–139 / 80–89 mmHg
High (Stage 2)
140/90 mmHg or higher
How pregnancy affects blood pressure
Blood pressure naturally fluctuates during pregnancy. In the first and second trimesters, it often drops slightly as your blood vessels relax to accommodate increased blood flow. It typically rises again in the third trimester. A single reading doesn't tell the full story — trends over time do. Don't hesitate to ask what your reading was at each visit and whether it's changed.
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy
Gestational Hypertension
Blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or higher after 20 weeks, without protein in the urine or other organ involvement.
Can progress to preeclampsia. Requires close monitoring.
Preeclampsia
High blood pressure after 20 weeks plus signs of organ damage — most commonly protein in the urine, but also liver or kidney involvement, low platelet count, or severe headache and vision changes.
A serious condition that requires prompt medical management. The only cure is delivery.
Chronic Hypertension
High blood pressure that was present before pregnancy or diagnosed before 20 weeks.
Requires careful management throughout pregnancy and increases the risk of preeclampsia.
Superimposed Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia that develops in someone who already has chronic hypertension.
Higher risk and requires intensive monitoring.
Warning signs — contact your provider right away
Severe headache that doesn't improve with rest or acetaminophen
Vision changes — blurred vision, flashing lights, or seeing spots
Sudden swelling of the face, hands, or feet
Pain in the upper right abdomen or shoulder
Nausea or vomiting that comes on suddenly in the second or third trimester
Difficulty breathing
Feeling generally unwell or "not right"
How to advocate for yourself
Ask your reading at every visit
"What was my blood pressure today, and how does it compare to last time?"
Know your baseline
Ask your provider what your normal range looks like early in pregnancy so you have a reference point.
Track at home if recommended
If your provider suggests home monitoring, use a validated upper-arm cuff and take readings at the same time each day. Bring your log to appointments.
Don't minimize symptoms
If you have a headache that won't quit, vision changes, or sudden swelling — call. These are not symptoms to wait out.
When in doubt, call. These symptoms can escalate quickly. Your provider's after-hours line exists for exactly these moments — you are never overreacting by asking.
More labs coming soon
Thyroid panel, iron & ferritin, vitamin D, CBC, blood type & Rh factor, and more — each with clinical context and advocacy language.