Pregnancy Tests and Scans in Grand Rapids, MI

Pregnancy care in Grand Rapids involves a range of tests and scans designed to confirm your pregnancy, monitor your baby’s development, and check on your health. Some tests are routine, while others are optional and focus on specific conditions or genetic differences.

In West Michigan, most pregnancy tests and ultrasounds are available through major providers such as Corewell Health (formerly Spectrum Health), Trinity Health Grand Rapids, University of Michigan Health–West (Metro Health), and Mercy Health, as well as many independent OB/GYN practices and midwifery clinics. Public health support is also available through the Kent County Health Department and Grand Rapids Public Health programs.

Confirming Pregnancy

Missed period: usually the first sign

For many Grand Rapids women, a missed menstrual period is the first sign of pregnancy. To confirm pregnancy, tests detect a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG).

Home pregnancy tests

Home pregnancy tests are widely available at:

  • Grand Rapids pharmacies (Meijer, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid)
  • Some grocery stores and big-box retailers
  • Community clinics and some college health centers

These kits use special test strips or paper that react to βhCG in your urine.

Tips for accurate home testing:

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly
  • Use first-morning urine if possible (it’s more concentrated)
  • Check the result within the recommended time window
  • If the result is unclear, repeat the test in a few days or see your doctor

False positives and false negatives can occur if tests are used too early or incorrectly.

Always confirm your results with a doctor or midwife

Pregnancy tests performed by a healthcare professional are rarely inaccurate. In Grand Rapids, you can confirm pregnancy with:

  • Urine test in the office – checks for βhCG, similar to a home test but performed under clinical conditions
  • Blood test – measures the exact level of βhCG; can often detect pregnancy about one week after conception

You can access these tests through:

  • OB/GYN practices at Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health
  • Community health centers and some urgent care clinics
  • Kent County Health Department clinics (for referrals and support)

Prenatal Care in Grand Rapids: Regular Check-Ups and Testing

Throughout pregnancy, regular appointments with your OB/GYN, family doctor, or midwife help monitor:

  • Your overall health
  • Your baby’s growth and development
  • Any pregnancy-related complications

These visits are especially important in Michigan’s cold winter months, when flu, COVID-19, and respiratory illnesses are more common, and when driving conditions can affect your ability to get to appointments. Many Grand Rapids practices also offer telehealth for certain visits.

Common routine prenatal tests

Routine prenatal tests may include:

  • Blood tests to check:

    • Blood group and Rh factor
    • Iron levels (to screen for anemia)
    • Blood sugar (to screen for gestational diabetes)
    • Immunity to infections such as rubella
    • Screening for infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis

  • Urine tests to check:

    • Protein (for signs of preeclampsia)
    • Sugar (for signs of diabetes)
    • Signs of urinary tract infection

  • Blood pressure and weight checks at each visit

These tests are available through all major Grand Rapids hospitals and many local clinics.

Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy

Ultrasound scans use sound waves to create images of your baby in the womb. They are painless and non-invasive and are offered at:

  • Corewell Health Maternal-Fetal Medicine and OB clinics
  • Trinity Health Grand Rapids OB/GYN offices
  • Metro Health and Mercy Health maternity services
  • Independent imaging centers in the Grand Rapids metro area

First-trimester ultrasound (up to 12–13 weeks)

This early scan can:

  • Confirm the pregnancy is in the uterus
  • Confirm the number of babies (single or multiples)
  • Measure the baby to help calculate your estimated due date
  • Check for some early structural concerns

This scan is especially helpful if you are unsure of your last menstrual period or have irregular cycles.

Second-trimester ultrasound (18–20 weeks)

Often called the anatomy scan, this ultrasound:

  • Checks your baby’s organs and structures (brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs)
  • Monitors the size and development of your baby
  • Assesses the placenta’s location and the amount of amniotic fluid
  • Often allows determination of the baby’s sex (if you want to know), though this is not 100% guaranteed

These detailed scans are typically done at hospital-based imaging centers or specialized maternal-fetal medicine clinics in Grand Rapids.

Third-trimester ultrasound (after 28 weeks)

A later ultrasound may be recommended to:

  • Check your baby’s growth
  • Assess fluid levels around the baby
  • Confirm the baby’s position (head-down, breech, etc.)
  • Re-check the placenta if there were earlier concerns (such as placenta previa)

Not every pregnancy needs a third-trimester scan; your provider will advise based on your individual situation.

Screening Tests vs Diagnostic Tests

Understanding the difference between screening and diagnostic tests is important when making decisions about prenatal testing.

Screening tests

Screening tests estimate how likely it is that your baby might have a particular condition. They cannot give a definite yes or no.

Results might be described as:

  • Increased chance (higher likelihood than average)
  • Low chance (lower likelihood than average)
  • A numerical estimate (for example, “1 in 1,000”)

If a screening test suggests an increased chance of a condition, your provider may offer diagnostic testing for a more definite answer.

Common routine screening tests in Grand Rapids include:

Combined first-trimester screening

Usually done between 11 and 13 weeks, this combines:

  • A first-trimester ultrasound (including a measurement called nuchal translucency, taken from the back of the baby’s neck)
  • A maternal blood test

The results are combined to estimate the chance of certain chromosome differences, including Down syndrome (trisomy 21) and others.

Second-trimester maternal serum screening

This is a blood test performed on the mother, usually between 15 and 20 weeks, to help estimate the chance of:

  • Chromosome differences (including Down syndrome)
  • Neural tube defects (such as spina bifida)

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT / cell-free DNA screening)

NIPT is a more advanced blood test that looks at small fragments of your baby’s genetic material (DNA) circulating in your bloodstream. It:

  • Can be done from 10 weeks of pregnancy
  • Screens for conditions such as Down syndrome and several other chromosome differences
  • Is more accurate than combined first-trimester or second-trimester maternal serum screening
  • Is often more expensive and may not be fully covered by all insurance plans

Many OB/GYN practices and maternal-fetal medicine specialists in Grand Rapids offer NIPT; check with your insurance and provider about coverage.

When There’s an Increased Chance: Diagnostic Tests

Some pregnancies are known to have an increased chance of a particular condition, for example:

  • A family history of an inherited disorder
  • Maternal age (the chance of having a baby with a chromosome difference such as Down syndrome increases with age)
  • A screening test that suggests an increased chance of a specific condition

In these situations, diagnostic tests can provide more definite information.

Diagnostic tests may carry a small risk of complications, including miscarriage, because they often use a needle to collect a sample of placenta or amniotic fluid. Your provider will discuss these risks with you in detail.

Diagnostic ultrasound

Ultrasound is also used as a diagnostic tool to:

  • Investigate unusual pregnancy symptoms (such as vaginal bleeding or decreased fetal movement)
  • Evaluate suspected problems seen on earlier screening tests

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)

CVS is usually done between 10 and 13 weeks. It:

  • Takes a small sample of the placenta (chorionic villi)
  • Uses a slender needle inserted through the mother’s abdomen, guided by ultrasound
  • Allows laboratory testing of the placenta tissue, which shares the baby’s genetic makeup

CVS can provide a definitive diagnosis for many chromosome conditions and some genetic disorders.

Amniocentesis

Amniocentesis is usually done between 15 and 20 weeks (sometimes later if needed). It:

  • Uses a slender needle inserted through the abdomen, guided by ultrasound
  • Withdraws a small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid surrounding the baby)
  • Analyzes the baby’s cells in the fluid for chromosome differences and certain genetic conditions

Both CVS and amniocentesis are available through maternal-fetal medicine and clinical genetics services at major Grand Rapids hospitals. Your OB/GYN can refer you if needed.

Making Decisions About Diagnostic Testing

In Michigan, about 1 in 20 women may be told there could be a complication in their pregnancy. Many women who receive an increased-chance result on a screening test later discover, through diagnostic testing or birth, that their baby does not have the condition.

Deciding whether to have further testing is personal and may depend on:

  • Your values and beliefs
  • How you feel about uncertainty
  • Whether the result would change your pregnancy or birth plans
  • Your support system and access to specialized care

If a diagnostic test confirms a medical condition:

  • Some abnormalities can be treated or managed before birth, or immediately after delivery
  • Your baby may need specialist care before, during, and after birth
  • Knowing in advance can help your family prepare emotionally, practically, and medically

Some families may decide not to continue the pregnancy and may arrange a termination. Others choose to continue and plan for additional support. In Grand Rapids, your care team should provide non-judgmental, evidence-based information and support regardless of your decision.

Immunizations in Pregnancy (Grand Rapids, MI)

Immunization during pregnancy helps protect both you and your baby against serious infections. This is especially important in Grand Rapids, where long winters and close indoor contact increase the spread of respiratory illnesses.

Seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine

  • Recommended for all pregnant women, at any stage of pregnancy
  • Helps protect you from severe flu illness
  • Provides some protection for your baby during the first 6 months of life
  • Widely available at:
    • OB/GYN and family medicine clinics
    • Pharmacies across Grand Rapids
    • Public health clinics (Kent County Health Department)

Whooping cough, diphtheria, and tetanus (Tdap) vaccine

  • Recommended during each pregnancy, usually between 27 and 36 weeks
  • Helps protect your newborn from whooping cough (pertussis) until they are old enough for their own vaccines
  • Available through your prenatal care provider, many primary care offices, and some pharmacies

COVID-19 vaccination

  • Strongly recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy
  • Helps prevent severe COVID-19 illness and related complications
  • Available at:
    • Major Grand Rapids hospital systems
    • Pharmacies and community vaccination sites
    • Some Kent County Health Department clinics

Talk with your Grand Rapids provider about the timing and type of vaccines recommended for you.

Best Practice: How Health Professionals Should Communicate About Prenatal Testing

Families in Michigan have reported feeling pressure, misinformation, or lack of support around prenatal screening decisions. To improve care, health professionals in Grand Rapids should:

  • Use neutral language when discussing results (e.g., “increased chance” instead of “high risk”; avoid emotive phrases like “bad news”)
  • Provide up-to-date, evidence-based information about conditions such as Down syndrome and other genetic differences
  • Offer non-directive counseling – supporting families to make their own decisions without pressure
  • Allow time and space for questions and decision-making
  • Respect the decisions families make and avoid revisiting them, while making it clear that families can change their mind if they wish
  • Offer referrals to:
    • Local Down syndrome associations and disability support organizations
    • Genetic counselors and peer support networks

Genetic Counseling and Support in Grand Rapids

Genetic counseling services are available through:

  • Hospital-based clinical genetics and maternal-fetal medicine departments
  • Some university-affiliated and private genetics practices in West Michigan

A genetic counselor can:

  • Explain screening and diagnostic test options
  • Discuss what results may mean for your baby and your family
  • Help you consider your values, preferences, and options
  • Connect you with local and national support organizations

Ask your OB/GYN, midwife, or family doctor for a referral to clinical genetics services in Grand Rapids if you are considering advanced screening or diagnostic testing.

Local Resources and Where to Get Help in Grand Rapids, MI

If you are pregnant in the Grand Rapids area and have questions about tests, scans, or pregnancy care, you can contact:

  • Your GP or family doctor
  • OB/GYN or midwife (through Corewell Health, Trinity Health Grand Rapids, Metro Health, Mercy Health, or independent practices)
  • Maternal-fetal medicine (high-risk pregnancy) services at major Grand Rapids hospitals
  • Pediatrician (for planning newborn care if a condition is diagnosed)
  • Pharmacies (for pregnancy tests and vaccines)
  • Kent County Health Department / Grand Rapids Public Health (for immunization clinics, prenatal education, and referrals)
  • Local or Michigan-based Down syndrome and disability support organizations
  • 24-hour nurse advice lines offered by many Grand Rapids health systems and some insurers

Key Takeaways for Expectant Parents in Grand Rapids

  • A range of pregnancy tests and scans are available in Grand Rapids to confirm pregnancy and monitor your baby’s development.
  • Screening tests estimate chances; diagnostic tests provide more definite answers but may carry small risks.
  • Decisions about testing are personal; you have the right to accept or decline any test.
  • Michigan’s seasonal illnesses and winter weather make staying up to date on flu, Tdap, and COVID-19 vaccines especially important during pregnancy.
  • Local resources – including Grand Rapids hospitals, clinics, and public health services – can provide comprehensive prenatal care, testing, counseling, and support throughout your pregnancy.