Before you attend your first hospital appointment at around 12 weeks, you will be asked to read through some information about screening tests that will be offered to you. This information is all online, please use the links below. There is relevant information for your whole pregnancy and for your baby postnatally so it might be useful to bookmark the screening pages for future reference. The information is also provided in various languages and links to an mp3 audio file for people with sight loss.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/screening-tests-for-you-and-your-baby-description-in-brief

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/screening-tests-abnormality-pregnant/

This link below provides an easy read version of the booklets for each of the antenatal and newborn screening tests.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/screening-tests-for-you-and-your-baby-easy-guides

The following link covers all the newborn screening tests taken in the Neonatal Unit and comes in other languages too.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/screening-tests-for-you-and-your-baby-babies-in-special-care-units

Routine blood screening tests

We will ask your permission at your booking appointment to take some blood samples for routine screening. This is so we can check your blood group and test for a variety of conditions including anaemia, sickle cell and thalassaemia disease, diabetes, hepatitis B, syphilis and HIV.

We also recommend taking a blood sample again at 28 weeks of pregnancy to ensure you are not anaemic and possibly to screen for gestational diabetes. Your midwife will provide more information.

Cervical screening

The Department of Health recommends that all women should have a cervical smear every three years. If your smear is due we recommend you have one at your 6–8 week postnatal check-up.

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. You are welcome to bring someone with you when you come for your scan.  Further scans are only arranged if there is a clinical need—your doctor or midwife will explain if this occurs.

Screening tests

Screening tests are used to find people at higher chance of a health condition. Whether or not to have each test is a personal choice that only the individual invited for screening can make. We offer all pregnant women screening tests during pregnancy to look for certain health conditions that could affect them or their baby.

Screening tests are also offered for babies soon after they are born so they can be given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible if needed.
Read the screening tests for you and your baby leaflet before your midwife booking appointment to find out much more about the screening tests offered during and after pregnancy. This information is also available in other languagesand easy guides.

If you need one, you can pick up a printed copy of this leaflet at your booking appointment.

Antenatal screening programmes:

• Sickle cell and thalassaemia
• Infectious diseases
• Down’s/Edward’s/Patau’s syndrome and fetal anomaly ultrasound scan

Newborn screening programmes:

• Hearing screening
• Blood spot screening
• Newborn and infant physical examination

The screening programmes will be discussed with you at the appropriate time, either during your pregnancy or after the birth of your baby. You will have time at your appointments to discuss your options and have any queries that you may have answered.

Antenatal screening for Down’s Syndrome and other chromosomal anomalies

Screening for chromosomal anomalies such as Down’s syndrome is offered to all pregnant women of all ages. The screening tests provide information about the chance of your baby being affected. These tests use blood samples taken from you and measurements taken from ultrasound scans. The test you will be offered depends on how many weeks pregnant you are. This will either be a combined screening test or a quadruple test.
If you do receive a higher risk result from a screening test, your midwife or doctor will give you further information and support. You will be offered a diagnostic test which can confirm if your baby has Down's syndrome or not.

There are two diagnostic tests available—Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) and Amniocentesis. CVS is usually performed between 12 and 14 weeks. Amniocentesis is usually carried out from 16 weeks.

After your birth

Following your baby’s birth we recommend several screening tests for your baby such as a hearing check, newborn examination and bloodspot screening.

Further information is available from the ‘Screening tests for you and your baby’ leaflet. It is important that you read this leaflet and discuss these screening tests with your midwife, GP or obstetrician.

Useful information

Getting animated with our screening timeline – PHE Screening (blog.gov.uk)