Antenatal screening tests and checks
During your pregnancy, you’ll be offered antenatal screening checks and tests to help identify any potential health conditions that might affect your or your baby during your pregnancy or after the baby is born.
Scans and checks will take place at regular intervals during your pregnancy. Antenatal checks and tests might include:
- Weight and height checks
- Antenatal urine tests – to check for protein or any infections. These checks can identify conditions like Pre-eclampsia or things like urinary tract infections (UTIs)
- Blood pressure tests
- Blood tests
- Cervical screening
- Tests for gestational diabetes
- Screening for iron deficiency anaemia
- Ultrasound scans - You will be offered two scans, one early in pregnancy at approximately 11–14 weeks and another at 18–21 weeks (anomaly scan) to check the growth and development of your baby.
- Screening for Down’s Syndrome, Edwards’ Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome
- Screening for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis
- Screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia
- Measuring baby's growth and position in your womb
- Group B strep
You can find out more about the timing of these key scans and tests on the NHS.uk website.