Antenatal testing in pregnancy

In this article

• Practical tips and information for routine laboratory testing during pregnancy
• Pregnant women in New Zealand
• Testing Rates
• Sample Practice Data

In this article

Practical tips and information for routine laboratory testing during pregnancy

When a woman becomes pregnant, it is recommended that she receives a range of standard laboratory investigations. “A first antenatal screen” is required even if the woman is considering termination of pregnancy. Women who do not receive any antenatal testing are at risk of poorer antenatal and perinatal outcomes. It is also likely that these women receive fewer than the recommended antenatal visits.^1,2

Approximately 50% of women do not book with a Lead Maternity Carer (LMC) until the end of the first trimester, meaning the “first antenatal screen” is often the responsibility of the general practitioner at the first appointment when pregnancy is confirmed and the results later forwarded to the chosen LMC. In 2013, 77% of all first antenatal screens were requested by doctors. Clinicians who are not the LMC may access funding for one pregnancy-related visit during the first trimester.

Prior to all laboratory testing in pregnancy, information should be provided to the pregnant woman about why the test is recommended, the risk of disease transmission to the foetus (if relevant), how the results will be delivered and the implications of both positive or negative results.³

Pregnant women in New Zealand

In 2013, 53,309 women who were registered with a general practice were admitted to a New Zealand hospital for maternity services (for delivery of a baby). The figures below show the age and ethnic breakdown of these women.

Testing Rates

The intended outcomes of antenatal tests are to provide baseline results and minimise harm to the mother or foetus during the remainder of the pregnancy (e.g. gestational diabetes, HIV).⁴

Of the 53,309 women who were admitted to maternity services*

• 87% had a first antenatal screen
• 84% had a second antenatal screen
• 5.5% had no screening

Women aged < 20 years or ≥ 45 years and women of Māori ethnicity are the
most likely groups to receive NO ANTENATAL TESTING.

See Best Tests July 2011 for more information on routine laboratory testing during pregnancy

Sample Practice Data

Sample Practice Name had 27 women admitted to maternity services during 2013. Due to inaccuracies in the laboratory database we are unable to provide you with your practice level testing rates, however the table below shows the ethnic and age breakdown of the women registered to your practice and admitted to maternity services in 2013. The highlighted rows are those women most at risk of receiving NO ANTENATAL TESTING.