» Hepatitis B

This is a blood test which checks to see if you have Hepatitis B infection or immunity. It is generally ordered following your first prenatal visit.

A normal result is a negative antigen. If you test positive, you may have antibodies from a previous infection, or immunity. If your test is positive, you will be tested again later in pregnancy.

Hepatitis B is an infection of the liver which is transmitted through blood and body fluids of another infected person.

Hepatitis B virus can be passed on from a mother to her baby during childbirth.

Many people infected with the virus have no signs or symptoms and may carry the virus without knowing.

If you have Hepatitis B virus, your baby can be given an immunization against the virus after birth. It is considered safe to vaccinate both newborns and premature infants with Hepatitis B vaccine.