Antenatal blood tests

At first antenatal visit

Blood

• Hgb
• PVC (haematocrit)
• MCV and MCH (esp Asian, African, Southern European, to detect thalassaemia)
• ABO and Rhesus group.
• Rhesus antibodies
• VDRL (to exclude syphilis)
• Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAG)
• Antirubella antibodies
• ? HIV antibodies
• ? TFT
• ? EBV, CMV, VZV
• ? B12, folate, ferritin
• ? GTT

Vaginal smear

Need to treat bacterial vaginosis - due to increased risk of preterm labour.

Bacterial vaginosis is not common after 16 weeks -> give metronidazole if necessary)

Urine

Urinalysis

M/C/S

Subsequent antenatal visits

Rhesus-negative women - rhesus antibody test at 28 and 36 weeks.

Hgb: check between 32-36 weeks

Ferritin.

Others

Antenatal visits:

• Every 4 weeks up to 28th week.
• Every 2 weeks up to 36th week.
• Every week until delivery

Every visit, check

• Foetal movement
• Foetal heart
• BP
• Urine protein
• Fundal height

Things to revise/add later:

Bibliography: O&G Llewellyn-Jones