Pregnancy screening tests and checks

During pregnancy, you will be offered screening tests to check that you and your baby are healthy.

Screening tests can provide you with information about your baby’s growth and development, and how your body is coping with the physical changes and demands of pregnancy. They can also tell you whether you or your baby are more likely to have a medical condition.

Screening tests and checks you may be offered include:

These screening tests are your choice. Your midwife (or specialist doctor) will give you information and support to help you to decide whether to have screening or not. Read more about confidentiality and consent.

First antenatal blood test

At one of your first pregnancy check-up visits, your lead maternity carer (LMC) will give you a form to take to your local medical laboratory so you can have your blood tested.

The first antenatal blood test is designed to protect your health and the health of your baby and family/whānau by identifying conditions or diseases as soon as possible in your pregnancy so that treatment can be offered.

This blood test is free and from one sample it checks:

Read more about antenatal blood tests. 

Urine screening

Urine is checked at antenatal visits using a simple dipstick test to detect if your urine (pee) contains:

  • protein – this may indicate early pre-eclampsia (a rare complication of pregnancy)
  • sugar (glucose) – this is an initial check for diabetes
  • bacteria – during pregnancy you can have a urinary tract infections without symptoms. This is easily treated with antibiotics.

Pregnancy ultrasound scans

Ultrasound screening is offered for a variety of reasons, such as to determine when your baby is due, to see if you’re expecting twins (or more!) and to check if your baby is developing normally. There could be other reasons to have an ultrasound scan as your pregnancy progresses, such as monitoring the growth of your baby and the position of the placenta.

The four most common stages to have a scan are:

Known as Stage
Dating scan It is no longer usual to have a scan to work out how many weeks pregnant you are and your due date. 
Nuchal translucency scan This is part of first trimester combined screening for Down syndrome and other conditions (read more below). If you decide to go ahead with this optional screening test, you will be offered a scan between 11 weeks 2 days and 13 weeks 6 days (ideally 12 weeks). This is the only time that this scan can be performed.
Anatomy scan At around 18–20 weeks gestation, parts of your baby’s body will be measured to check that they are growing as expected and to look for any problems. At this scan you can find out what sex your baby is – although some parents prefer to wait until the baby is born.
Growth scans If the maternity care provider is concerned about the baby’s growth in the third trimester, then additional ultrasound scans at this stage may be recommended.

Most women will have at least one pregnancy ultrasound, either in the very early stages of their pregnancy or at around 20 weeks of gestation. Pregnancy ultrasound is non-invasive and generally thought to be safe for both mother and developing baby.

Read more about pregnancy ultrasound.

Diabetes testing

Diabetes is when you have too much glucose (sugar) in your blood, and it can make you sick and affect your baby’s growth. Diabetes screening is to check whether you already have diabetes or if you are at risk of developing diabetes while you are pregnant (gestational diabetes).

Diabetes screening is offered twice:

  • as part of the first antenatal blood test (or any time up until you are 20 weeks pregnant) 
  • again when you are 24–28 weeks pregnant.

There are three blood tests that can help you find out if you have or are at risk of getting diabetes during your pregnancy. The three tests are: 

  • HbA1c 
  • oral glucose challenge test (OGCT)
  • oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).

For more information on these tests see testing for diabetes in pregnancy 

If you do already have diabetes or you develop diabetes in pregnancy, you will be offered information, treatment and support, including help to eat well and stay active.

Antenatal screening for Down syndrome and other conditions

There are two screening options available for women in New Zealand who are less than 20 weeks pregnant.

First trimester combined screening

This is available if you are less than 14 weeks pregnant. It combines the results of a blood test (MSS1) and a nuchal translucency ultrasound scan with other information, such as your age and weight, to give a risk result.

Second trimester maternal serum screening

This is available if you are 14–20 weeks pregnant and combines the results of a blood test (MSS2) with other information, such as your age and weight, to give a risk result.

What do my results mean?

If screening shows that there is an increased risk for a genetic condition (like Down syndrome, Trisomy 13, Trisomy 18 or Turners syndrome), amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are the options available for diagnostic testing. Amniocentesis is usually the test you will be offered.

Amniocentesis is a procedure that involves having a thin needle inserted through your stomach into your uterus (womb). A small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby is then taken. Read more about amniocentesis.

Some other conditions, like spina bifida, require diagnostic ultrasound. 

STI testing

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) test is recommended because many STIs don’t have symptoms, but if they are not diagnosed and treated they could complicate your pregnancy or create serious effects for both you and your baby. 

Common STIs, including chlamydia and gonorrhoea, can be diagnosed using a sample collected using a vaginal swab, which you can take yourself. Your maternity care provider will provide you with information on how you can do this.

Read more about common STIs. 

Family violence risk assessment

Pregnancy is a particularly at-risk time for women. Antenatal appointments have been identified as a unique window of opportunity for asking questions relating to family violence and offering support to women. Your midwife or LMC will ask you discreetly if you have any concerns relating to your personal safety and will support you to find help if it is required. 

Read more about abuse and safety

Confidentiality

All pregnancy test results are confidential. If you need any support, information or treatment, you will be referred to the appropriate healthcare professional and receive care that is professional, respectful and confidential.

Informed consent

If you have any questions after reading this article please ask your midwife, GP or specialist. The Ministry of Health recommends that you have these tests as soon as possible after you know you are pregnant, because knowing whether you have these conditions can help keep you and your baby well.

Before having any tests you must have the opportunity to receive information about the tests and then make an informed decision as to whether or not you wish to have them. The decision to have these tests is yours. Your decision will be respected.

Read more about informed consent and the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights.

Learn more

Screening tests and scans week 0-14 Ministry of Health, NZ 
Screening tests and scans week 14-30 Ministry of Health, NZ 
Screening tests and scans week 30 onwards Ministry of Health, NZ 
Pregnancy and newborn screening National Screening Unit, NZ 
Antenatal screening for Down Syndrome and other conditions National Screening Unit, NZ 
The four most common stages to have an ultrasound EchoNorth Diagnostic Ultrasound, NZ

Credits: Health Navigator Editorial Team. Reviewed By: Lee-Ora Lusis, RN RM MN, Clinical Nurse Director Last reviewed: 13 Mar 2018