A tuberculin skin test, or TB test, lets your healthcare provider see if you have been exposed to tuberculosis. TB tests are completely safe during pregnancy, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)1 .
To get the test 2 , a medical professional uses a small syringe and needle to inject a minuscule amount of a fluid called tuberculin just under the skin of your inner forearm. After 48 to 72 hours, your provider will look at that spot to determine your results. If the area is red, raised, or hard to the touch, your provider may want to do some more tests. The majority of TB tests come back negative 3 , so try to breathe easy while you wait.