The purpose of any screening test is to identify individuals' who have a higher chance of a particular disease or condition, enabling early detection, informed choice and treatment.
It is your choice whether or not to have antenatal screening tests and it is important you feel well informed about them first. The antenatal screening midwives are happy to assist you with this. Please do not hesitate to contact our team if needed.
You will be offered a variety of screening tests throughout your pregnancy including:
- A blood test at the beginning of the pregnancy. This will check your blood groups, if you have any antibodies on your blood, a full blood count to check for anaemia. We will also check if you have sicklecell and Thalassemia as well as Hep B, HIV and Syphilis. If you are a negative blood group your midwife will discucss the anti D injection with you.
- Another blood test at 28 weeks. This will check your blood group, antibodies and a full blood count.
- Downs syndrome, Edwards Syndrome and Patau's syndrome.
- Scans to monitor the development of your baby.
Screening tests for you and your baby
The role of Fetal medicine services
- Prenatal Diagnosis
- Amniocentesis
- Ultrasound scanning to evaluate suspected congenital anomalies
- Ongoing care and follow up for babies with identified congenital anomalies
- Continuity of care with same specialist and midwives - helping to build relationships and individual plans of care
Obstetric management of babies with congenital abnormalities
The Fetal Medicine Clinic plays a role in various areas of complex obstetric care.
You may be referred to other hospitals for specialist services.
Further information
- Contact a family http://www.cafamily.org.uk/
- Antenatal results and choices http:/
/ www. arc-uk.org/ - Downs Syndrome Association http://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/
- Unique – the Rare Chromosome Disorder Support Group http:/
/ www.rarechromo.org - Twin to twin transfusion http:/
/ www. twin2twin.org/ - Stillbirth and neonatal death society http://www.uk-sands.org/
- Little heart matters http:/
/ www. lhm.org.uk/ - Turners syndrome society (England) http://www.tss.org.uk/
- Cleft lip and palate association http://www.clapa.com/
- SOFTuk support organisation for Trisomy 13/18 http:/
/ www. soft.org.uk/
Antenatal Screening Team
If you have a pregnancy affected by a genetic/chromosome condition and would like to discuss the impact this may have on a current pregnancy please call our Antenatal Team on 024 7686 5177 (answer phone) or by email to geh-tr.
- Zoey Cardwell - Antenatal and Newborn Screening Co-ordinator Midwife
- Bethany Beckett - Antenatal and Newborn Deputy Screening Midwife
- Chantelle Jordan - Antenatal and Newborn Screening Administrator
George Eliot Hospital NHS Trust
Maternity Unit
College Street
Nuneaton
CV10 7DJ
Telephone
024 7686 5177 (answer machine)