Booking appointment

esunny · 2025-01-11T10:35:28+00:00

Hi all, im just wondering what tests they do for your booking appointment. I’m going to do them all for the safety of my baby. I’ve read everything on the NHS website! Is the antibody test only for the R negative antibodies or can it detect like Covid antibodies etc too? Thanks

YouveGotAFastCar · 11/01/2025 10:47

No, it doesn't test for Covid.

They'll offer you a Covid vaccine from 20 weeks, if it's still a consideration when you get there - I have been offered Covid, flu, whooping cough and RSV this time, although I think some of those are only offered in the winter, so if you're due in the summer/autumn, you may not be offered them all.

jenn88 · 11/01/2025 10:50

Do you mean blood type? As in resus negative antibodies?
I was tested but further along in pregnancy because I am resus negative, they can now test the babies blood via yours to determine if you need anti D injections!
As for Covid I would imagine you will just have the current vaccine later along in pregnancy along with whooping cough etc

Original poster

esunny · 11/01/2025 10:50

YouveGotAFastCar · 11/01/2025 10:47

No, it doesn't test for Covid.

They'll offer you a Covid vaccine from 20 weeks, if it's still a consideration when you get there - I have been offered Covid, flu, whooping cough and RSV this time, although I think some of those are only offered in the winter, so if you're due in the summer/autumn, you may not be offered them all.

Ahhh okay I see! Mist just be for the blood group and certain antibodies then ☺️ thank you d

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sel2223 · 11/01/2025 12:15

It's just a basic blood test - blood type, antibodies, hiv, syphilis I think from memory.

Some take a urine sample as well.

Most of the booking in appointment is just talking and going through a medical questionnaire.

At points through pregnancy, you will be offered a flu jab, covid vaccine, shopping cough and RSV - all of those are for protection of your baby in the first couple of months after they are born

Original poster

esunny · 11/01/2025 13:51

jenn88 · 11/01/2025 10:50

Do you mean blood type? As in resus negative antibodies?
I was tested but further along in pregnancy because I am resus negative, they can now test the babies blood via yours to determine if you need anti D injections!
As for Covid I would imagine you will just have the current vaccine later along in pregnancy along with whooping cough etc

I think that’s what I mean! Is the rhesus blood test the antibodies test? I keep reading different things 🥲 sorry! Xx

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Goldpanther · 11/01/2025 16:21

The rhesus blood test is the same as the antibody test.

If your blood type is O- (or another - bloodtype) then they check to see if your baby is a + blood type. If it is you might need the anti d injection. If you are, then they test again at 28 weeks.

If you are a + blood type you don't need to worry, likewise if you are - bloodtype and so is your partner.

UndertheseaPineappleHouse · 11/01/2025 16:28

Goldpanther · 11/01/2025 16:21

The rhesus blood test is the same as the antibody test.

If your blood type is O- (or another - bloodtype) then they check to see if your baby is a + blood type. If it is you might need the anti d injection. If you are, then they test again at 28 weeks.

If you are a + blood type you don't need to worry, likewise if you are - bloodtype and so is your partner.

They don’t bother testing the father or asking you his blood type. Too much scope for things to go wrong when occasionally the person the mum says is the father is not actually the biological father… So if the mother is rhesus negative they’d just go ahead with the anti-D or I guess now if they can determine the baby’s blood type from a test on the mother’s blood then they can use that! Cool development.

Goldpanther · 11/01/2025 16:47

UndertheseaPineappleHouse · 11/01/2025 16:28

They don’t bother testing the father or asking you his blood type. Too much scope for things to go wrong when occasionally the person the mum says is the father is not actually the biological father… So if the mother is rhesus negative they’d just go ahead with the anti-D or I guess now if they can determine the baby’s blood type from a test on the mother’s blood then they can use that! Cool development.

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I'm rhesus negative, and the first thing my midwife did was ask if I knew the father's bloodtype. (I do know as he's a regular blood donor, and he is definitely the father!)

Agree it might not be standard practise, and they still went ahead with testing to confirm, but I knew I didn't have to worry.

remaininghopeful23 · 11/01/2025 19:17

You will have what's called a group and antibodies screen. Group being A, B, O, AB and whether or not you have the rhesus factor (a protein). Those who dont have the rhesus factor (RH neg) will be offered further The tests/advice/anti d if needed.

The antibodies part of the test is different and looks for something called red cell antibodies. Not so common to have these, most results return 'no antibodies detected.' These are especially important when it comes to blood transfusion, and some are significant for pregnancy as they can cause issues with babies blood, but rare.

No need to look for covid antibodies as it wouldn't mean anything if you had them. They'll likely advice when to have your vaccines though.

Other than that you get an FBC for iron/white cells/platelets among other things. A screen for HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis. They'll also check if you are immune to Rubella and some units check chickenpox immunity also (important to be immune to both in pregnancy).

Original poster

esunny · 11/01/2025 19:45

remaininghopeful23 · 11/01/2025 19:17

You will have what's called a group and antibodies screen. Group being A, B, O, AB and whether or not you have the rhesus factor (a protein). Those who dont have the rhesus factor (RH neg) will be offered further The tests/advice/anti d if needed.

The antibodies part of the test is different and looks for something called red cell antibodies. Not so common to have these, most results return 'no antibodies detected.' These are especially important when it comes to blood transfusion, and some are significant for pregnancy as they can cause issues with babies blood, but rare.

No need to look for covid antibodies as it wouldn't mean anything if you had them. They'll likely advice when to have your vaccines though.

Other than that you get an FBC for iron/white cells/platelets among other things. A screen for HIV, Hepatitis B, Syphilis. They'll also check if you are immune to Rubella and some units check chickenpox immunity also (important to be immune to both in pregnancy).

Ah thank you very much this makes so much sense! It sounds like they only test for those things then, nothing random will come up (I have bad health anxiety). I’ve never actually had chickenpox so I think this is something I will mention to the midwife xx

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remaininghopeful23 · 11/01/2025 20:02

esunny · 11/01/2025 19:45

Ah thank you very much this makes so much sense! It sounds like they only test for those things then, nothing random will come up (I have bad health anxiety). I’ve never actually had chickenpox so I think this is something I will mention to the midwife xx

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No problem at all. I also have bad health anxiety and it can help so much to have the information in advance so you're not worrying about the unknown. I'm also a midwife and I would recommend asking your midwife in advance what to expect from the next upcoming appointment so you're prepared (If you think that would help your anxiety). I'd be more than happy to explain to any of my patients if it helped to alleviate some of their worries. Another thing to consider is the perinatal mental health team who you could ask to be referred to if you're finding it hard to manage the health anxiety in your pregnancy. I found mine got tough in my own recent pregnancy but talking it out and breaking it down really helped.
Good idea to ask about chickenpox immunity no harm to check. Lots of women who've never had it still manage to be immune to it, maybe due to exposure but didn't get the spots themselves which would be great if that were the case for you.
Congratulations and good luck for a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy😊 x

Original poster

esunny · 11/01/2025 20:19

remaininghopeful23 · 11/01/2025 20:02

No problem at all. I also have bad health anxiety and it can help so much to have the information in advance so you're not worrying about the unknown. I'm also a midwife and I would recommend asking your midwife in advance what to expect from the next upcoming appointment so you're prepared (If you think that would help your anxiety). I'd be more than happy to explain to any of my patients if it helped to alleviate some of their worries. Another thing to consider is the perinatal mental health team who you could ask to be referred to if you're finding it hard to manage the health anxiety in your pregnancy. I found mine got tough in my own recent pregnancy but talking it out and breaking it down really helped.
Good idea to ask about chickenpox immunity no harm to check. Lots of women who've never had it still manage to be immune to it, maybe due to exposure but didn't get the spots themselves which would be great if that were the case for you.
Congratulations and good luck for a healthy and enjoyable pregnancy😊 x

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Thank you so much. You’ve really helped 🥰 have a lovely evening xx

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garciacherry · 12/01/2025 11:59

YouveGotAFastCar · 11/01/2025 10:47

No, it doesn't test for Covid.

They'll offer you a Covid vaccine from 20 weeks, if it's still a consideration when you get there - I have been offered Covid, flu, whooping cough and RSV this time, although I think some of those are only offered in the winter, so if you're due in the summer/autumn, you may not be offered them all.

You can book a Covid vaccine whenever you like if you are pregnant, or just go to a walk in and tell them you are pregnant. Same as with flu. You don't have to be 20 weeks.