Women's Health
Pregnancy Blood Tests
Common tests through each trimester.
Overview
Pregnancy blood tests help track the mother’s health and the baby’s development. They are used to check anaemia, infection risk, immunity, thyroid function, and some conditions that may affect pregnancy outcomes.
What to know
The exact tests depend on the stage of pregnancy and each person’s history. Some checks are routine for everyone, while others are added if there are risk factors such as previous miscarriage, anaemia, diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of inherited conditions.
Common blood tests
Typical tests include full blood count, ferritin, vitamin D, thyroid function, blood group and antibodies, hepatitis B, HIV, syphilis, and sometimes urine protein or diabetes screening depending on the timing.
Signs to watch for
Symptoms such as excessive fatigue, breathlessness, dizziness, palpitations, heavy bleeding, severe headache, vision changes, or persistent vomiting should be discussed promptly.
Lifestyle information
A balanced diet, adequate iron and folate, hydration, rest, and attending scheduled blood checks support a safer pregnancy. Some recommendations change if a blood result is abnormal or if there are pre-existing conditions.
When to seek medical advice
Contact your healthcare team if symptoms are severe, if you get any bleeding, fainting, severe swelling, or sudden worsening of fatigue. Pregnancy blood tests are most useful when results are reviewed and acted on, not just ordered in isolation.