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If antenatal screening tests find something - Your pregnancy and baby guide

Most antenatal screening tests will not find anything, but there's a chance you'll be told your baby could be born with a condition.

If this happens to you, there's always support available.

Coronavirus update

If you're well, it’s really important you go to all your appointments and scans for the health of you and your baby.

Hospitals and clinics are making sure it's safe for pregnant women to go to appointments.

If you get symptoms of coronavirus, or you’re unwell with something other than coronavirus, speak to your midwife or maternity team. They will advise you about what to do.

Find out more about pregnancy and coronavirus

Get as much information as you can

It can help to find out as much as you can about the condition your baby may have.

A specialist doctor (obstetrician) or midwife will explain what the screening results mean and talk to you about your options.

Your appointments

Your appointments should take place in a private and quiet space. But this can sometimes be difficult in a busy hospital.

You can bring your partner, a family member or friend with you.

It might help to write down any questions you have before you go. Ask the doctor or midwife to explain anything again if you need them to.

Information:

You could ask things like:

  • Can you explain what my baby may have?
  • What would that mean for my baby?
  • Will we need any special care or treatment before birth?
  • What would life be like for my baby if they have this condition?
Read more about conditions screened for in pregnancy

Next steps

You may be offered further tests (sometimes called diagnostic tests).

These tests check if your baby definitely has the condition screening tests have said they might have.

The tests you may be offered are:

You may also have further scans.

It's up to you to decide if you want to do any further tests. You can discuss this with a doctor or midwife.

Important

In most cases, you'll find out if your baby has the condition they were tested for. But in some cases this may not be possible.

Read more about getting amniocentesis results or CVS results.

Making a decision to continue with or end your pregnancy

This can be a very difficult decision. You may find you feel differently from one day to the next.

You do not have to make this decision on your own. Speak to your doctor, midwife, family and friends about your options.

You have time to think about your decision – whatever you decide, you'll have support.

Read more about what may happen if you:

Support is available

It can help to speak to:

  • your partner, family or friends
  • a midwife or specialist doctor
  • a local support group
  • charities that support families with your baby's condition
  • a counsellor – you do not need a referral from your GP (find out more about how to see a counsellor)

Charities you can contact

Listen to other people's experiences

Some people find it helps to hear from people who have been in the same position.

Healthtalk.org has videos of people talking about:

Page last reviewed: 3 April 2019
Next review due: 3 April 2022