You will be offered screening tests during your pregnancy and for your baby in the first few weeks after birth, to detect through blood tests diseases such as sickle cell and thalassaemia, or conditions such as Down's syndrome.
It is important that you understand the purpose and possible results of the screening tests before you decide to have them.
To help you, the UK National Screening Committee has written a comprehensive booklet, explaining the screening tests in detail.
Some of the tests need to take place in early pregnancy, so it is worth getting a copy of this booklet as soon as possible. At St. Helier Hospital, it is given out at your first antenatal appointment. Alternatively, you may order a copy by calling 0870 1555455 and quoting leaflet code ANSP01/07.
