Checkups, tests and scans available during your pregnancy

Your midwife or doctor may also arrange blood and urine tests (Opens in new tab) to:

• check your blood group
• test for anaemia
• test for rubella immunity
• see if you have a bladder or urinary tract infection

Your midwife or doctor may suggest testing for:

• hepatitis B and hepatitis C
• syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea
• HIV

Your doctor should offer you a cervical screening test if you are due for one. This is to check for human papillomavirus (HPV) (Opens in new tab) and any signs of cervical cancer (Opens in new tab).

As part of your checkup, your doctor or midwife will discuss with you:

• which medicines you are taking
• which vitamin and mineral supplements you can take
• whether you smoke or drink alcohol
• whether you would like an influenza (flu) vaccination
• what antenatal care options are available to you
• where you can attend antenatal classes

Read more here about your first antenatal visit.

Each visit

Your doctor or midwife will do routine health checks at each visit.

The routine health check includes:

• checking your blood pressure
• measuring your tummy to check your baby's growth, from week 20 onwards
• checking your general health and wellbeing
• checking your baby's heartbeat, possibly from week 12 onwards
• discussion about your baby's movements

As well as the routine health check tests listed above, your doctor, midwife or obstetrician may suggest more tests, based on your risk factors and situation.

Find out below which tests you may be offered.

10 to 13 weeks

• A nuchal translucency scan, which looks at the back of your baby's neck to check the chance of your baby having Down syndrome. This screening test is done between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
• Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is an accurate screening test for Down syndrome and other conditions. It can be done from 10 weeks into your pregnancy. This test is not covered by Medicare (Opens in new tab).
• Combined first trimester screening (CFTS) is a genetic screening test that can be done between 9 and 13 weeks of pregnancy. Results from several tests including a blood test, ultrasound results and your age and weight are used to measure your baby's chance of having certain conditions.
• Chorionic villus sampling (CVS), where a small amount of your baby's placenta is taken to check for chromosome issues like Down syndrome or other inherited conditions. This is usually done between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.
• Amniocentesis, where a small amount of amniotic fluid (the fluid around your baby) is taken to see if your baby has a chromosome difference. This is usually done after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Amniocentesis and CVS are diagnostic tests. They are only done if screening tests or scans show something is unusual.

18 to 22 weeks

An ultrasound scan to check your baby's:

• body and organs
• heart rate and rhythm

The ultrasound can also:

• estimate how far along you are in the pregnancy
• see where the placenta is located
• help to measure how long your cervix is

At this scan you can usually find out the sex of your baby, if you want to know.

20 to 28 weeks

• A blood glucose tolerance test for diabetes, between 24 and 28 weeks.
• Pertussis (whooping cough) vaccination, between 20 and 32 weeks.

28 weeks

• A blood test to check for anaemia and your blood platelet levels.
• A urine test if you have raised blood pressure.
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination is offered from 28 weeks.
• If you have Rh negative blood, you may be offered an anti-D immunoglobulin injection.

Find out more about Rh negative pregnancies and tests that are available.

29 to 34 weeks

• A urine test if you have raised blood pressure.
• If you have Rh negative blood, you may be offered a second anti-D immunoglobulin injection.

35 to 37 weeks

• A urine test if you have raised blood pressure.
• You may be offered a vaginal swab for Group B streptococcus (GBS).
• Check your baby's presentation (which way up your baby is) and station (how far your baby's head has moved into your pelvis).

Some states offer additional tests at 36 weeks, like blood tests, tests for sexually transmitted infections and a group B strep swab.

38 to 40 weeks

• A urine test if you have raised blood pressure.

41 weeks

If you haven't yet had your baby, your doctor or midwife will:

• check your baby's heartbeat
• be offered additional ultrasounds to check the amount of fluid around your baby

You will be offered a urine test if you have raised blood pressure.