Why are checkups, tests and scans important during my pregnancy?

Checkups, tests and scans help ensure that you and your baby are healthy during your pregnancy. They are important for the best outcome for both you and your baby. Checkups, tests and scans can help find pregnancy complications earlier so they can be managed better.

As part of your antenatal care, you will be offered checkups, tests and scans. Some tests are offered to every woman as part of normal antenatal care in Australia.

Other tests are suggested if you or your baby have a higher chance of a health issue during your pregnancy.

Many health issues can be detected (found) before your baby is born, but not all of them.

What tests will I be offered during my pregnancy?

There are 2 main types of tests you may be offered while pregnant:

• screening tests — which let you know if your baby has a higher chance of having a health issue, but can’t confirm the health issue for sure
• diagnostic tests — which show whether your baby has a health issue, with a much greater level of certainty

Your midwife or doctor can help you understand your test results and what they mean for you and your pregnancy.

Must I have tests during my pregnancy?

During your pregnancy, you, your doctor and midwife can decide together which tests to take. This is called shared decision making.

You will be given information about each test so you can make an informed decision.

You don’t have to have any recommended tests if you don’t want to — it’s your choice.

It can be helpful to ask your doctor or midwife questions and talk about what options you have. Read about questions you may want to ask.

You can also discuss your options with your partner, close family and friends to ensure they are right for you.

Where will I go for my checkups and tests?

Your checkups and tests can happen at a hospital or clinic in your community.

This depends on whether you’re having your baby in a public or private hospital, a birthing centre or at home.

Where you are having your baby might also determine whether your checkups are done by your doctor, midwife or obstetrician.

The timing and number of some of the visits and tests listed below may change slightly based on:

• the type of care you choose
• if you’ve been pregnant before
• if you’re having any pregnancy complications

FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — The Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services.

When will I have checkups, tests and scans during my pregnancy?

Your midwife or doctor may also arrange blood and urine tests 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) and any signs of cervical cancer.

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.
• 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.

Resources and support

If you need more information, talk to your doctor or midwife.

Read about antenatal care during your pregnancy.

The Royal Women’s Hospital has a range of pregnancy fact sheets in several languages. They also offer videos explaining what to expect at your pregnancy appointments.