Screening in early pregnancy is important

All pregnant women are offered screening tests to check on their health, and their baby’s health. These tests are usually carried out by a midwife.

Some screening tests should ideally be done before a woman reaches 10 weeks of pregnancy. This is because further tests may be needed, and decisions made about ongoing care.

So as soon as you know you’re pregnant, please contact your local midwife service and book your first appointment with them.

Your first midwife appointment

Your first appointment with a midwife may take place at a GP surgery, Children’s Centre, at home or at a hospital. It depends on the services available where you live.

At this appointment you will receive standard health checks, for example have your blood pressure taken. You will also be offered a number of screening tests.

These tests are usually done by the midwife taking a blood sample.

I found out I was pregnant at 6 weeks. At 8 weeks I got in touch with my midwife to book my first appointment.

What tests are included within the screening process?

During pregnancy, screening tests typically include ultrasound scans, blood tests, or a combination of both. Ultrasound scans can detect conditions such as spina bifida, while blood tests screen for genetic conditions such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassaemia as well as infections like HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis.

These tests should be done before 10 weeks for optimal effectiveness. Between 11 and 14 weeks, blood tests combined with scans assess the likelihood of Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, or Patau’s syndrome; participation in these tests is optional.

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Other screen tests like ultrasound scans are usually done later on in pregnancy – your midwife will discuss these with you

Do I have to have a screening test?

Whether to accept the offer of screening tests or not is entirely up to you. Some people prefer to find out whether their baby may be affected by certain conditions.

Either way, it’s important to book to see a midwife as soon as you know you’re pregnant, so you can receive the best possible care for you and your baby, every step of the way.

Find out more

Screening in early pregnancy is important

Your first midwife appointment

What tests are included within the screening process?

Do I have to have a screening test?

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