Women who are pregnant will be offered antenatal screening tests during their pregnancy to give more information about their health and the health of their baby. A midwife will explain the different tests you can have as part of your routine antenatal care. Screening may involve ultrasound scans and blood tests. It is important to decide which tests, if any, are right for you.
Taking part in screening is something you can do to look after your baby's health.
For more information or support, speak to your midwife or doctor.
This animation gives information on the screening tests you will be offered during pregnancy for you and your baby.
Tests will be offered at different stages during your pregnancy.
Antenatal screening includes:
Most women will not need further tests. However, if your screening test suggests you, or your baby have a higher chance of having a certain condition, further tests will be offered.
Visit your midwife early to help you make the best choices for your pregnancy.
Healthcare staff follow infection and prevention control guidance. This means staff follow strict hand cleaning routines and clean all clinic areas and equipment regularly.
If you are attending a community clinic, talk to your midwife about how screening will take place within your Health Board. They will explain what they are doing to keep you safe.
Contact your midwife if you are feeling unwell or have any questions or concerns about your antenatal screening appointment.
Your midwife will tell you how and when you will get the result of your tests.
Your midwife will tell you where you can have the tests done.
During your pregnancy, you will be offered a number of different screening tests. Screening is your choice. It can be difficult to decide what tests to have. Some women do not want to know if they have any health conditions that could affect them or their baby. Others want to know if they have any health conditions that could affect them or their baby so that they can make decisions on treatment or, if there are unexpected findings, to prepare for the birth or consider ending the pregnancy.
Take time to think before you decide. You can talk about the tests with your midwife and ask any questions you may have. When you have chosen which tests you want to have, the midwife will make arrangements for you.
If you choose to have screening or invasive testing, for example amniocentesis or CVS (chorionic villus sampling), your samples may be stored securely during and after your pregnancy in line with national guidance (Royal College of Pathologists: The retention and storage of pathological records and specimens) and as set out below.
Your blood sample is stored for two years. If you or your baby shows signs of another infection later in your pregnancy or after your baby is born, the sample can be tested and the results compared with blood tests you may have later in your pregnancy.
Blood group – your blood sample is stored for between seven and 14 days after your result is known. It is then destroyed.
Antibody testing – your blood sample is stored for 12 months. There is a rare condition, called haemolytic disease of fetus and newborn (HDFN), that can affect babies. If your baby shows signs of this condition, your sample will be used to help diagnosis and treatment.
Cell free fetal DNA (cffDNA) – your blood sample is stored for at least one year. This is in case we need to check the result following the birth of your baby. Your sample may be used to maintain and improve the standard of the test for the future. It is then destroyed.
Your baby’s blood group – if you are D negative, your midwife will take a blood test from you and some from the umbilical cord of your baby when they are born. The sample is destroyed once your baby’s blood group is known (it takes around a week to get the result).
Your blood sample from your combined or quadruple test is destroyed once the result is known (it takes about a week to get the result). Occasionally, any remaining samples may be anonymized (information that could identify you is removed) and used by the laboratory to maintain and improve the standard of the test.
Your blood sample is stored indefinitely and may be used by the laboratory to maintain and improve the standard of the test.
Your blood sample is destroyed once the result is known (this is usually around two weeks after it has been taken).
Your samples are stored and may be used to maintain and improve the standard of the test. Sometimes, if the test shows that your baby has a chromosome or genetic change, your sample can be used if other family members choose to be tested. Samples are destroyed in line with national and local procedures.
If you would like to discuss any of this, please contact your midwife.