Screening tests are offered during pregnancy to try to find any health problems that could affect you or your baby. The tests, which may include ultrasound scans and/or blood tests can help you make choices about care or treatment during pregnancy or after your baby is born.
Some screening tests are offered for your baby soon after they are born. We offer these so your baby can be given appropriate treatment as quickly as possible if needed.
Screening tests are used to find people at higher chance of a health problem. This means they can get earlier, potentially more effective treatment, or make informed decisions about their health.
Whether or not to have each test is a personal choice and one which only you can make. You can discuss each test you are offered with health professionals and decide, based on your own circumstances, whether or not it is right for you. It is important to remember that screening is always a choice, and you can change your mind at any stage.
Screening tests are not perfect. Some people will be told that they or their baby have a high chance of having a health problem when in fact they do not have the problem. Also, a few people will be told that they or their baby have a low chance of having a health problem when in fact they do have the problem.
If you know that you, the father of your baby, or a family member already has a health problem, please tell your midwife.
Some of the screening tests described here, such as blood tests for infectious diseases, eye screening if you have diabetes and the new-born checks, are not only offered but recommended by the NHS. This is because results from these tests can help make sure that you or your baby gets urgent treatment for serious problems.
Screening tests in pregnancy for sickle cell disease and thalassaemia, Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome, Patau’s syndrome and the 20-week scan can lead to very personal decisions. These could include:
• whether or not to have a diagnostic test with a possible chance of miscarriage
• whether to continue or end your pregnancy
It is important to think carefully about whether or not you want to have these screening tests. Your decisions will be respected and health care professionals will support you.
This short animation shows the screening tests offered during pregnancy and after your baby has been born.
You can also read about the screening tests in more detail in the Screening test for you and your Baby leaflet here:
Screening tests for you and your baby – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The information is available in 12 other languages:
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Somali and Urdu and Easy read versions of this leaflet
Please speak to your local midwife in the first instance if you have any queries relating to screening tests for you and your baby. For any additional support or unresolved screening issues please contact your local screening team where we will be pleased to assist you.
0151 604 7208 (direct line)
Ext 7379 via switchboard