Routine Blood Tests & Screening in Pregnancy
Early in pregnancy we'll arrange routine antenatal blood tests and a urine sample, to help identify anything that may affect you or your baby and allow appropriate care if needed.
← Back to Articles
Antenatal
Routine blood tests include
- Full blood count (to check iron levels and screen for anaemia)
- Blood group and rhesus (Rh) status
- Antibody screen
- Rubella immunity
- HIV screening
- Syphilis screening
- Other tests as indicated by your medical history or risk factors
A routine midstream urine sample (MSU) is also collected early in pregnancy, to screen for urinary tract infections, which can sometimes be present without symptoms.
STI screening
Screening for sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, is routinely offered to women under 25, as these infections can occur without symptoms and may affect pregnancy outcomes if left untreated. It's also available to anyone who would like it, or who has risk factors. Just ask, and we can arrange testing.
Further testing during pregnancy
- Around 28 weeks: iron levels and antibody screening are usually rechecked, and gestational diabetes screening is offered.
- Around 36 weeks: iron levels and antibody screening are repeated to ensure optimised levels for birth.
If you have a rhesus negative blood group, additional antibody screening will be arranged later in pregnancy.
Rhesus negative?
If your baby is rhesus positive, your body may develop antibodies against their blood cells, which can affect future pregnancies. An injection called Anti-D may be recommended if there's a chance fetal blood has entered your circulation, for example after bleeding, a fall, or certain procedures. We'll talk you through this in detail if it's relevant to you.