Antenatal Investigations
At your 1st visit the following tests will be done:
- Full blood examination (FBE)
- Blood group & antibody screen
- Rubella antibody titre
- Hepatitis B & C screen
- Mid stream specimen of urine
- Glucose challenge test
Screening for trisomy 21 or Downs syndrome is carried out in the 1st trimester by maternal serum test done at 11 weeks gestation and an ultrasound scan looking at the nuchal translucency at 12 weeks gestation.
A foetal anomaly scan is performed at 19 – 20 weeks gestation and you will be referred to a specialist ultrasonographer for this.
At 28 weeks gestation, a glucose tolerance test is done to diagnose gestational diabetes and a FBE / antibody screen also if your blood group is Rhesus negative.
At 36 weeks gestation, a vaginal swab is taken to assess colonization with Group B Streptococcus and if positive will require you to have treatment with Penicillin during labour.