Key points
- NIPT (cell-free DNA) is an optional blood test that screens for chromosome conditions such as Down syndrome. It is a screening test, not a diagnosis.
- Results appear in your patient portal as soon as they are finalized.
- Nausea often improves by 12–14 weeks. Call if you cannot keep fluids down for 24 hours.
- Sex and moderate exercise are safe in a healthy pregnancy unless we tell you otherwise.
What blood work is done in early pregnancy?
Your new OB blood work checks your blood type and Rh factor, your blood count (for anemia), your immunity to rubella and chickenpox, and screens for infections such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis. These results help us protect you and your baby.
What is NIPT?
NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing, also called cell-free DNA screening) is a blood test that looks at small pieces of your baby’s DNA in your blood. It screens for chromosome conditions such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18 and trisomy 13. ACOG recommends that all pregnant patients be offered screening. Choosing it is your decision. Learn more about NIPT.
Is NIPT a diagnosis?
No. NIPT is a screening test. It is very accurate for Down syndrome, but it can give false-positive or false-negative results, and it does not check for every possible condition. If a result is high-risk, we will discuss follow-up options such as a detailed ultrasound or a diagnostic test (CVS or amniocentesis).
Can NIPT tell me if it’s a boy or a girl?
Usually, yes. If you would like to know — or want the result kept sealed for a gender reveal — just tell us.
How do I get my results?
Results appear in your patient portal as soon as they are finalized. We will also review them with you at your next visit, or call you sooner if anything needs attention.
What helps with nausea and vomiting?
Many patients improve by 12–14 weeks. Things that help:
- Small, frequent meals; keep crackers by the bed
- Sipping fluids throughout the day
- Ginger (tea, candies or capsules)
- Avoiding triggers such as strong smells, greasy foods and an empty stomach
- Vitamin B6, alone or with doxylamine — a safe first-line treatment recommended by ACOG. Ask us before starting.
When should I call about nausea?
Call us if you cannot keep down food or fluids for 24 hours, urinate very little or have dark urine, feel dizzy, or are losing weight. This may be hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe form of nausea that can be treated with prescription medicine and IV fluids. Read about hyperemesis.
Can I exercise and have sex?
In a healthy pregnancy, yes. Aim for about 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as brisk walking or swimming. Sex is safe unless we tell you otherwise. We may recommend pelvic rest (no sex or anything in the vagina) if you have bleeding or certain other conditions.
How can I sleep better?
A pregnancy pillow can support your belly, back and hips. Many patients find side-sleeping more comfortable as pregnancy progresses. Occasional diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is considered safe in pregnancy to help you fall asleep; ask us if you need it often.
What else should I know now?
- Take your prenatal vitamin daily (with folic acid), and iron if we prescribed it.
- Limit caffeine to under 200 mg a day (about one 12-oz coffee).
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, vaping and marijuana.
- Avoid raw or undercooked meat, fish and eggs, unpasteurized dairy, and deli meats unless heated until steaming.
- If you are at higher risk for preeclampsia, we may recommend low-dose aspirin starting between 12 and 28 weeks.
- The flu and COVID-19 vaccines are recommended at any point in pregnancy.
What forms or prescriptions might I get?
We may give you prescriptions for prenatal vitamins and iron, an order for your breast pump, work notes, and the order for your Tdap vaccine later in pregnancy.
Next visit: About 4 weeks, when we offer the AFP blood test.
Go to Labor & Delivery right away for heavy vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, decreased fetal movement, severe headache or vision changes, severe abdominal pain, or regular contractions before 37 weeks. Do not wait for a callback. HCA Florida University Hospital Labor & Delivery, 3476 S University Dr, Davie, FL 33328 · 954-475-5758. In an emergency, call 911. When to call or go to the hospital.
Important: This information is general education about a typical pregnancy. It is not medical advice and may not apply to you. Every patient’s care is personalized to her own health history, test results and needs, so your plan may differ from what is described here. Always follow the instructions your doctor gives you. Questions? Call Davie ObGyn at 954-880-1010. Do not use a routine online message for urgent symptoms.
Medically reviewed by Rahil Malik, MD, FACOG, board-certified obstetrician-gynecologist. Last reviewed: October 7, 2026. Content follows current recommendations of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This page is general information and does not replace a visit with your doctor.