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Labs Q & A

What are labs?

Labs are laboratory tests that analyze samples of:

  • Urine
  • Blood
  • Vaginal, cervical, or rectal fluids

South Valley Women's Health Care provides comprehensive lab services on site in the Bluffdale office for women with all types of OB/GYN needs.

When do I need labs?

Every woman needs labs at some point. Labs can do the following:

Detect infections

Labs can detect infections, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Your provider may recommend labs if you have symptoms like burning during urination. And, if you’re at risk for STDs, you need routine screening labs because they can find serious infections even before you have any symptoms.

Protect pregnant women

Pregnant women need many routine labs in early pregnancy. Detecting problems as early as possible is crucial for having a successful pregnancy. 

Prenatal labs include complete blood count (CBC), urinalysis, urine culture, and blood type and Rh factor testing. Routine prenatal screening also checks for diseases like rubella, hepatitis, and a range of STDs. 

Other types of pregnancy labs include screening for gestational diabetes. Completing all of your recommended labs on time can help you stay ahead of possible problems.

Other things can fall into the “labs” category, too. For example, a Pap smear a screening test for abnormal cells that may lead to cervical cancer involves the collection of cells from your uterine neck (cervix). That sample, just like blood and urine samples, goes to the lab for analysis.

Do I need to do anything to prepare for labs?

Each lab test South Valley Women’s Health Care has purpose and requirements. While many labs don’t require you to prepare ahead of time, you might need to fast for at least several hours beforehand in some cases. Your provider gives you all the info you need ahead of your labs.

South Valley Women’s Health Care is well known in the Salt Lake Valley area for its 30-year history of making women’s health care easy and understandable. If you need labs, you’re assured of a comfortable, discreet, and convenient experience. 

Call the office or click the booking feature to schedule your labs now.