Screening tests and scans: week 0–14

Screening is your decision – your midwife (or specialist doctor) will give you information and support to help you to decide whether to have screening or not. Talk to them about what’s right for you and your baby.

On this page you can find out about:

• the first pregnancy blood tests
• screening for Down syndrome and other conditions
• other tests and scans offered during pregnancy.

Screening tests can tell you whether you or your baby are more likely to have a medical condition. Some medical conditions can make you and your baby very sick and others can affect how your baby grows and learns. If screening shows that you or your baby may have a condition, you will be offered further tests that will let you know for certain.

First pregnancy blood tests

When you first see your midwife (or specialist doctor) during pregnancy you will be offered blood tests. The tests are free and are taken from 1 blood sample. They check:

• your blood group and rhesus factor (if you are rhesus negative, ask your midwife [or specialist doctor] to explain what this means)
• your haemoglobin (the amount of iron in your blood)
• if there are any antibodies that may be harmful to your baby
• if you are immune to rubella
• if you are a hepatitis B carrier
• if you have syphilis
• if you have HIV (see HIV testing in pregnancy)
• if you have diabetes or are at risk of developing diabetes (see Testing for diabetes in pregnancy).

For more information, see Pregnancy blood tests.

Screening for Down syndrome and other conditions

It’s your choice to have screening tests to check whether your baby may have Down syndrome or another rarer genetic condition. These conditions happen at the start of pregnancy and can affect your baby’s growth and development. Screening can provide information about the chance or likelihood of your baby having one of these conditions. Other tests are needed to find out for sure if your baby has a condition.

The screening depends on how many weeks pregnant you are. If you are less than 14 weeks pregnant, this screening is a blood test from you and a scan of your baby. If you are 14–20 weeks pregnant, this screening is a blood test only. The blood test is free; you may be charged for the scan.

Read more on the National Screening Unit website: Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions.

Other tests

Throughout your pregnancy you will be offered other tests to check that you and your baby are healthy and well. This includes regularly checking your blood pressure, urine (wee/mimi) and weight, the size of your ‘baby bump’ and the baby’s heartbeat. These other tests are to check that the baby is growing as expected and you are not showing signs of any problems.

Scans

You will be offered a scan in the first 14 weeks of your pregnancy as part of screening for Down syndrome and other conditions and also to check when your baby is due and if you are having twins.

You can choose whether or not to have these scans; you may be charged for them. Talk to your midwife (or specialist doctor) to find out more.

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Related websites

Screening tests – National Women’s Health (Auckland District Health Board)
Information about screening tests offered during pregnancy.