Routine tests

Learn about the types of tests you’ll be offered when you're pregnant and what they’re for.

Why have tests during pregnancy

Your doctor or midwife will offer you routine tests and scans during your pregnancy to check you and your baby are healthy. They may also recommend extra tests specific to your own pregnancy. They'll keep a copy of your results in your Pregnancy Health Record as part of your antenatal care.

If you haven’t had your pregnancy or due date confirmed, talk to your GP or antenatal clinic. Learn more about tests for finding out if you’re pregnant.

Blood tests

Routine blood tests after your first antenatal visit can help your midwife or doctor check the following.

Your blood group

ABO blood group This blood test identifies your ABO blood group. This is important to know if you or your baby becomes unwell. There are 4 main groups – A, B, AB and O.

Rhesus blood type This test will show if you have the rhesus D (RhD) protein on the surface of your red blood cells. It is written as rhesus positive or rhesus negative. If you're rhesus negative, your doctor or midwife will discuss some additional recommended care.

Learn more about rhesus factor disease on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website, and what happens if you’re RhD negative [PDF 745 KB].

Full blood count

This checks the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets and haemoglobin in your blood. These parts of your blood carry oxygen around your body and to your baby, fight infection and help your blood clot. It's recommended that this test is done again later in your pregnancy.

Vitamins and minerals

Your body uses vitamins and minerals to keep you and your baby healthy during your pregnancy. Your GP or midwife might recommend some supplements if your test shows you are low.

Blood sugar

Anyone can develop gestational diabetes (GDM) during pregnancy, so your GP or midwife will recommend you're tested to check if you're at risk.

Viral and bacterial infections

Your GP, midwife or obstetrician will suggest pregnancy safe treatments if your blood test shows you have any viral or bacterial infections.

Thyroid hormone levels

Your thyroid hormones help your body manage the energy your baby needs to grow. This supports a healthy brain and nervous system. If you have symptoms of a thyroid problem, or you take thyroid medicine, you’ll have regular blood tests to check your levels.

Non invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

This blood test looks for genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. It checks traces of your baby's DNA that are in your blood. It doesn't diagnose conditions but can indicate if there's an extra risk. Talk to your doctor or midwife about your results and if extra testing is available. You must be at least 10 weeks pregnant and may need to pay for the test.

Urine tests

You may need to give a pee (urine) sample at each antenatal visit. Having bacteria, blood cells, proteins, sugar (glucose) or acids (ketones) could be a sign of the following conditions.

Read more about these on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.

Your GP or midwife may send your urine sample to a lab or use a dipstick test to give instant results.

If you haven’t had your pregnancy confirmed, you might also to do a urine test to check for pregnancy hormones.

Ultrasound scans

An ultrasound scan uses sound waves to get pictures of your baby inside your womb (uterus).

We use these to check:

number of babies you’re expecting – single, twins, triplets
age of your baby – in a dating scan
your baby's growth and physical development
position of the placenta.

We also use scans to monitor:

the amount of water (amniotic fluid) around your baby
the health and function of the placenta which supports your baby’s growth
any complications, such as bleeding, fluid loss, high blood pressure (hypertension) and gestational diabetes.

When you'll have your scan

In a normal, low risk pregnancy, you’ll usually only need the following scans. Low risk doesn’t mean no risk. Problems can still happen during pregnancy, so it’s important to have regular checkups. If you have any complications or your health professional wants to check your baby's growth and wellbeing, they may recommend extra ultrasounds.

7 to 10 weeks – dating scan

This early pregnancy scan measures your baby and can help you find out your due date. It’s usually done if you’re not sure when you had your last period.

11 to 13 weeks – First trimester scan (nuchal translucency scan)

This scan measures the fluid under the skin at the back of your baby's neck (nuchal fold). It's safe and the results are combined with a blood test from you. The results don't diagnose conditions, but look for any extra risks. Talk with your doctor or midwife about options for extra tests.

18 to 20 weeks – development scan (morphology)

This is an important ultrasound used to check for major physical abnormalities in your baby. Most parents know this scan as 'the one where we may find out the baby’s sex'. Your doctor will also check your placenta and the length of your cervix. A long cervix is a good sign your pregnancy will go to full term. If your cervix is shorter than 35 mm, you may have further scans and treatment.

Read more about having a short cervix during pregnancy on the Pregancy, Birth and Baby website or watch the SaferCare cervical length video on Vimeo.

Getting your results

Your GP or midwife will discuss any results with you and may upload them to your My Health Record. Your ultrasound clinic may also give you a link to view or download your scan online.

Scans in the first and second trimester are often 2D images or videos. Some clinics also offer lifelike 3D and 4D scans in the later stages of pregnancy that show your baby’s features and movements.

Diagnostic tests

You’ll only need diagnostic tests if other tests suggest a risk, or if someone in your family has a genetic condition.

Specialist diagnostic tests can confirm if your baby has a genetic condition such as Down syndrome.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) – this tests a small sample of your placenta for genetic conditions
Amniocentesis – this tests a small sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds your baby for genetic conditions and birth defects

Your doctor can tell you more about the conditions they can test for, and the risks and benefits of having these tests.

Mental health and wellbeing checks

Your GP or midwife will check on your mental health and wellbeing throughout your pregnancy and after you give birth. They might ask about your thoughts, feelings, and how you’re coping, and offer support if you need it.

Learn more about mental health and wellbeing in pregnancy.

General pregnancy checks

At each antenatal visit, a health professional will check:

your blood pressure
your baby’s heartbeat
how much your baby has grown
how you're feeling
your baby's movements.

In the last month of your pregnancy, they’ll also check your baby is in the right position.

It’s safe to have a cervical screening (used to be call apap smear) and breast check if you’re due for these.

When you’re overdue

It’s normal to have your baby around 40 weeks from the first day of your last period.

If your pregnancy is overdue, your doctor or midwife may suggest regular tests and scans to check you and the baby are healthy.

These might include:

ultrasounds scans to check your baby and amniotic fluid
nonstress tests to check how your baby’s heart rate reacts to movement and make sure they’re getting enough oxygen
checking your cervix to see if labour is likely to start.

They’ll tell you about any tests, treatments or procedures you may need to help you give birth. Learn more about what happens when you’re overdue on the Pregnancy, Birth and Baby website.

Consent and choices

Unless it's a life threatening emergency, your healthcare professional must get your consent before any test or procedure. You can change your mind at any time, even if you've signed a consent form or agreed to have the test.

Using fetal dopplers at home

Fetal dopplers are handheld devices you can use to listen to your baby’s heartbeat at home.

Home use dopplers are different from the ones used by health professionals. Unless you’re trained to use them, you won't know if your baby has any health issues. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recently reviewed home dopplers. They did this after reports that expectant parents were falsely reassured by using them, causing delays in getting medical care and poor outcomes for the baby.

Make sure your baby’s heartbeat is still monitored during your pregnancy by your health professional. The Safer Baby website has information about your baby's movements, and when to get help.

Read more about the Post-market review of home-use foetal dopplers on the TGA website.

Last updated:: 2 April 2026