During your pregnancy you will be offered a number of screening tests. Your midwife will advise you which tests are offered and why.
These tests can help you find out more about your own health and the health of your baby before birth. Some of these tests are best taken before 10 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, as soon as you know you are pregnant please contact your GP, Midwife or complete our online referral form:
so that we can arrange your first ‘booking’ appointment with the community midwife before 9 weeks to discuss all the options with you.
Do I have to have screening tests?
It is always your choice whether to have a test or not. The information which these tests can provide may help your midwife to provide the best care possible during your pregnancy and the birth. The test results may also help you to make choices about your pregnancy.
Questions you might like to ask and consider before deciding whether to have a test
- What is the test for?
- What does the test involve?
- Will the test harm me or my baby?
- What will the results show?
- How and when will I get the results?
- Who do I contact if I don’t get the results?
- What happens if the test shows that there might be a problem?
- What happens if I choose not to have the test?