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What Blood Tests in Pregnancy

The following describe the blood tests available during pregnancy. Your consent is required for each test.

Test Reason

Full Blood Count To test for Anaemia. If your haemoglobin levels are low (i.e. you may be anaemic) you may be advised to eat iron rich foods or be prescribed iron tablets.

Blood Group In case you need a blood transfusion during pregnancy or labour.

Rhesus Group To see if your baby is at risk from a specific type of jaundice, anaemia or other problems.

Antibodies You may have unexpected antibodies in your blood from a previous pregnancy or blood transfusion. In very rare cases these antibodies can affect the baby.

Rubella To check your immunity for German Measles (Rubella). Most women are immune as they will have been vaccinated while still at school. If you are not immune then you will be advised to avoid anyone who has or may have the infection. Catching German Measles during pregnancy can affect your baby's heart, brain, sight and hearing.

Random Glucose To exclude diabetes in pregnancy.

Haemaglobinopathies To exclude thalassaemia or sickle cell disease. These are both serious inherited blood disorders that affect the way oxygen is carried around the body. These diseases are most common in people whose ancestors come from Africa, Central America, South America, Caribbean nations, Mediterranean countries, India or Near Eastern countries. You may not be offered this test if both you and the baby's father do not have ancestors from these areas.

Syphilis Syphilis can cause abnormalities in babies - however this sexually transmitted disease is rare today. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.

HIV To test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) as this can be passed on during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. If HIV is detected early in pregnancy measures can be taken to prevent HIV passing to the baby.

Hepatitis B If you are a carrier of this virus then it could be passed to your baby during pregnancy or when he is born. If you test positive for Hepatitis B then your baby can be given injections of antibodies as soon as they are born to protect them. Hepatitis B causes liver damage.

Test	Reason
Full Blood Count	To test for Anaemia. If your haemoglobin levels are low (i.e. you may be anaemic) you may be advised to eat iron rich foods or be prescribed iron tablets.
Blood Group	In case you need a blood transfusion during pregnancy or labour.
Rhesus Group	To see if your baby is at risk from a specific type of jaundice, anaemia or other problems.
Antibodies	You may have unexpected antibodies in your blood from a previous pregnancy or blood transfusion. In very rare cases these antibodies can affect the baby.
Rubella	To check your immunity for German Measles (Rubella). Most women are immune as they will have been vaccinated while still at school. If you are not immune then you will be advised to avoid anyone who has or may have the infection. Catching German Measles during pregnancy can affect your baby's heart, brain, sight and hearing.
Random Glucose	To exclude diabetes in pregnancy.
Haemaglobinopathies	To exclude thalassaemia or sickle cell disease. These are both serious inherited blood disorders that affect the way oxygen is carried around the body. These diseases are most common in people whose ancestors come from Africa, Central America, South America, Caribbean nations, Mediterranean countries, India or Near Eastern countries. You may not be offered this test if both you and the baby's father do not have ancestors from these areas.
Syphilis	Syphilis can cause abnormalities in babies - however this sexually transmitted disease is rare today. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics.
HIV	To test for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) as this can be passed on during pregnancy, delivery or breastfeeding. If HIV is detected early in pregnancy measures can be taken to prevent HIV passing to the baby.
Hepatitis B	If you are a carrier of this virus then it could be passed to your baby during pregnancy or when he is born. If you test positive for Hepatitis B then your baby can be given injections of antibodies as soon as they are born to protect them. Hepatitis B causes liver damage.