This is a blood test offered to you at your booking visit. It covers:
- Your blood group and any antibodies you carry. A Rhesus negative blood group means that you will be offered anti-D injections in pregnancy and after the birth of your baby if your baby has a positive blood group – something which we can only tell after birth. If you carry any unusual antibodies in your blood then I will consult the blood bank.
- Your HbA1c, a measure of how well your body has handled glucose in your blood stream in the last two to three months. A value of >40mmol/L means that you will be offered an oral glucose tolerance test instead of a glucose challenge screening at 24-28 weeks, and a value of >50mmol/L means that you will be offered referral to the diabetes clinic in pregnancy, as you may have pre-existing Type 2 diabetes
- Your full blood count, which includes a measure of haemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying component of your red blood cells, your white blood cell count, and your platelet count. The haemoglobin can indicate whether you are anaemic and would benefit from more iron. The white cell count can indicate whether you have an undetected infection, and your platelet count is important for knowing how well your blood may clot after birth
- Your ferritin level, which is your stored iron measure. This can indicate whether you have enough iron reserves or whether iron supplementation may help you, especially as your pregnancy progresses and baby takes more iron from you
- Your immunity to rubella. This is important as if you are not immune, you should try to avoid catching rubella while you are pregnant and you will be offered an MMR vaccination after baby is born
- Whether you have syphilis, hepatitis B, or HIV. These tests are offered to every pregnant person routinely, as these infections can affect your pregnancy, your birth, and/or your baby. If you test positive for any of these infections you will be offered treatment and support
- If you are vegetarian or vegan, a measure of your Vitamin B12 and folate levels as these can be lower in people who do not eat meat and this can cause anaemia