Vaginal Swabs
Vaginal swabs may be recommended during pregnancy to screen for infections such as chlamydia, which can often cause few or no symptoms. In line with New Zealand guidelines, screening is commonly performed between 12 and 18 weeks of pregnancy where appropriate.
Anatomy Ultrasound Scan
The anatomy scan is a detailed ultrasound performed between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. This scan assesses your baby’s development, including the brain, heart, spine, kidneys, limbs, and other major organs. For most families, the scan provides reassurance that baby is developing normally.
Occasionally, an abnormality may be identified. Detecting certain conditions before birth can help plan the safest care for your baby, including arranging specialist treatment or support after delivery if required. While some parents worry about serious abnormalities being detected, this is uncommon, and most findings either require monitoring only or can be managed with appropriate care.
It is important to understand that not all conditions can be identified on ultrasound, and a normal scan does not guarantee that every possible abnormality will be detected.
The scan may also identify your baby’s sex if you wish to know, although this is not the primary purpose of the examination. Some providers also offer 3D or 4D ultrasound imaging, which can provide more detailed images of your baby, though these scans are not routinely required for medical reasons and can be accessed through self-referral only.
Gestational Diabetes Screening
Screening for gestational diabetes is routinely recommended between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy. In New Zealand, this may involve a glucose challenge test (often referred to as a polycose test) or, for some women at higher risk, a glucose tolerance test (GTT).
For the glucose challenge test, you will drink a glucose solution followed by a blood test one hour later to assess how your body processes sugar. If the result is elevated, you may be advised to have a formal glucose tolerance test.
The glucose tolerance test requires fasting beforehand. Blood samples are taken before and after drinking a glucose solution to measure how your body manages blood sugar levels over time. You do need to pre-book this test with Awanui labs: GTT Booking instructions
A positive screening test does not necessarily mean you have gestational diabetes. Many women with an elevated screening result will go on to have normal follow-up testing. However, identifying gestational diabetes is important, as high blood sugar levels during pregnancy can increase the risk of complications, including larger birth weight babies and a higher long-term risk of diabetes for the mother.
Repeat Blood Tests at 24–28 Weeks
At the same time as gestational diabetes screening, repeat blood tests are often performed, including:
Full Blood Count (FBC) – to check for anaemia
Ferritin Levels – to assess iron stores
Blood Group Antibody Screen – to monitor for the development of antibodies that may affect your baby during pregnancy
