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Find out about screening tests in pregnancy. These include ultrasound scans and blood tests to try to find any health conditions that could affect you or your baby.
Pregnancy screening tests (also called antenatal screening tests) are used to check:
Screening tests can help find certain conditions early. This gives you the chance to discuss further tests and choices with your doctor or midwife, and any treatment or care for you and your baby.
Screening tests are offered to everyone in pregnancy as part of NHS pregnancy (antenatal) care.
Screening tests may happen as part of your midwife or doctor appointments, or you may be given separate appointments. They'll discuss with you how and when screening tests happen.
It's your choice if you want to have screening tests during your pregnancy. All screening tests offered by the NHS are free.
You can choose to have all the screening tests, just have some of them or have none at all.
Your midwife or doctor will discuss with you which tests are offered and why, to help you make your decision.
If you choose not to have screening tests, you can change your mind and have them later, although some tests must be done at certain times during pregnancy.
There are several different types of pregnancy screening tests.
Some tests can only be done at certain stages of pregnancy, for example there are some that should happen before 10 weeks.
If you have a health condition like diabetes or high blood pressure, or have had previous complications during pregnancy, you may be offered additional tests or monitoring.
You will also be offered newborn screening tests for your baby after they're born.
Usually before 10 weeks
Screening for sickle cell and thalassaemia (inherited blood disorders)
Usually between 8 and 12 weeks
Screening for hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis (infectious diseases)
Usually between 11 and 14 weeks
12-week scan (looking for signs of some health conditions, such as spina bifida)
Screening for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome (called the combined test)
Usually between 14 and 20 weeks
Screening for Down's syndrome (called the quadruple blood screening test) – this is offered if the combined test was not possible
Usually between 18 and 21 weeks
20-week scan (screening for 11 health conditions)
How screening tests are done depends on the test. They include ultrasound scans and blood tests.
You'll usually also be asked some questions about your medical history, family history and lifestyle.
Blood tests are usually offered as part of your midwife or doctor appointments. You may have separate appointments for ultrasound scans at hospital.
You'll also be offered regular checks and tests as part of your NHS pregnancy (antenatal) care.
You'll be told before the pregnancy screening tests when you'll get the results.
Ultrasound scan results are usually given on the day of the screening test. Blood test results may take longer, you'll usually be told when to expect them.
Screening tests can tell you if your baby has a lower or higher chance of having a health condition, but they cannot tell you for certain.
If your baby has a higher chance of a condition, you'll be offered more information and further tests.
Find out more about what happens if antenatal screening tests find something and about having a baby that might be born with a condition.
Content last reviewed by the NHS: 16 March 2029
Content last collected from the NHS: 04 September 2026
Group B strep is common in pregnancy and rarely causes problems. It is not routinely tested for, but may be found during tests carried out for other reasons, for example urine tests.
For information on group B strep, the risks and what to look out for, please click on this link: [Group B strep – NHS]
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