Free tool

The tests, trimester by trimester

The tests of a physiological pregnancy, in the order they come. Which of them are free, and who pays, depends on the country you are in — that part is on the country pages.

The whole pregnancy, at a glance

1st trimester 2nd trimester 3rd trimester 8 11 19 24 28 30 34 36 40

1st trimester

In the first test panel

Weeks 8 to 12

9 tests

Complete blood count
Blood group and Rh factor — Once (+ indirect Coombs if Rh negative)
Fasting glucose
Liver enzymes (ALT/AST)
TSH — Thyroid check in early pregnancy
Rubella and toxoplasmosis tests — If not immune, the toxo test repeats every 4-6 weeks
HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C
Urinalysis — Repeats roughly monthly throughout pregnancy
First ultrasound (dating scan) — Between weeks 8 and 12

7 blood tests · 1 scan · 1 urine sample

Between weeks 11+0 and 13+6 · decided with your doctor

Combined screening (nuchal scan) or NIPT

Only if not done recently

Pap smear / HPV test

2nd trimester

Between weeks 19 and 21

Anomaly (anatomy) scan

Weeks 24 to 28

2 tests

Glucose curve (75 g OGTT) — Between weeks 24 and 28, if indicated
Follow-up blood count — Around weeks 24-27

Roughly monthly

Urinalysis

3rd trimester

Weeks 28 to 33

3 tests

Blood count + ferritin — Anaemia check around weeks 28-33
Indirect Coombs test — At week 28 if Rh negative
Urinalysis + urine culture — In the 3rd trimester panel

Between weeks 30 and 32, if indicated

Growth ultrasound

Clotting, ECG… your birth hospital gives you the list

Pre-delivery tests required by your hospital

Between weeks 36 and 37

GBS vaginal-rectal swab

From term (week 40), every 2-3 days

CTG monitoring

After birth

Around 40 days after birth

Postpartum check-up

6-12 weeks after birth if you had gestational diabetes

Follow-up glucose curve

3-6 months after birth if you notice fatigue or low mood

TSH

When it is needed, not on a date

2 tests

Blood count + ferritin — If bleeding was heavy or you feel very tired
Pap smear — If it came due during pregnancy