Blood test and investigations antenatal care

8 to 10 weeks during pregnancy

Blood test

Haemoglobin anaemia is caused by too little haemoglobin (Hb) in the blood. The Hb is tested as part of the full blood count.  HB carries oxygen and nutrients around the body and to the baby.  Anaemia can make you feel very tired and if you are found to be anaemic you will be offered iron supplements and diet advice. 

Blood Group & Antibodies - it is important to find out if you are Rhesus Positive or Negative.  If you are Rhesus Negative you will require extra blood tests and be advised to have an Anti D injection during the pregnancy or if you have any episodes of vaginal bleeding, a miscarriage, amniocentesis or a CVS. They also review your antibodies to make sure that you don’t have any foreign blood proteins.

Hepatitis B is a virus that affects the liver and it is important that when you deliver the baby is immunised at birth.

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease which can seriously damage your unborn baby and antibiotics would be required.

HIV is a virus that affects the body’s ability to fight infection. It can be passed onto the baby during the pregnancy or at birth so treatment given in pregnancy and at delivery can greatly reduce the possibility of transmission to the baby.

Rubella (German Measles) - the majority of women receive the rubella vaccination prior to pregnancy but it does not mean that you have immunity and this test is to see if you do.  Anyone who is not immune is strongly advised to stay away from anyone with known German Measles, as the virus can damage the unborn baby, and to be vaccinated on completion of the current pregnancy.

Sickle Cell & Thalassaemia are blood disorders which affect haemoglobin and can be passed from parent to child.  It is very important that you inform your midwife of your ethnic background and that of the father of the baby or your parents or grandparents as various ethnic groups will determine if these tests are performed or not, on the information that you give to the midwife.

Urine test 

Mid Stream Urine - a sample of your urine is tested to look for Asymptomatic Bacteriuria a bladder infection with no symptoms but which can lead to kidney infections developing in pregnancy.

11 to 14 weeks during pregnancy 

Blood test 

The Combined Test following the nuchal translucency test (scan) a sample of blood is obtained to test for substances normally found in the blood at this stage of pregnancy.  A risk value is individually worked out from you age, the scan result and the blood result.  If a low risk then no other diagnostic testing will be offered.  If a high risk is identified then an amniocentesis can be offered or a CVS, which are both invasive procedures. 

28 weeks during pregnancy 

Blood test 

Haemoglobin & Blood Group Antibodies (as mentioned above). 

Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT) to find out if you have gestational diabetes.  A test performed at the hospital Pregnancy Assessment Unit PAU clinic.  After a period of 10 hours of fasting a blood test is required then a special drink is consumed then after a period of two hours a further blood test is required.  On completion food and drink can be consumed as normal.

The GTT is required if a previous history of gestational diabetes, first degree relative has diabetes, BMI 30+, Polycystic ovarian syndrome, family origin, previous baby above the 90^th centile. 

38-39 weeks during pregnancy

Swab 

Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) prior to an elective caesarean section all women will be reviewed to make sure that they do not have this bacterium on their skin which can cause wound infections that are difficult to treat as they are resistant to some antibiotics