Screening in pregnancy
During your pregnancy, you will be offered a range of tests, including blood tests and ultrasound baby scans.
These tests are designed to help make your pregnancy safer, check and assess the development and wellbeing of you and your baby, and screen for particular conditions.
These tests will include –
- weight and health checks
- urine
- blood pressure
- blood tests you may be offered include – screening for HIV, syphilis and hepatitis B, blood group, rhesus disease, anaemia, diabetes
Some of these tests will be carried out at your GP surgery, or at home, or at your local hospital.
Screening for newborn babies
Your newborn baby will be offered some screening tests in their first six to eight weeks. These include –
- a physical examination – which includes the eyes, heart, hips and testes
- a hearing test
- a blood spot (heel prick) test – to check if the baby has any of nine rare conditions
For further information on Antenatal and Newborn screening please click here.
