During early pregnancy, your maternity care provider may recommend tests and scans to check your health and support safe care for you and your baby.
You always have the right to ask questions, understand your options, and decide what feels right for you.
Your maternity care provider should explain:
- why a test is offered
- what the results may show
- any risks, benefits or costs that apply to you.
After a positive home pregnancy test
Pregnancy blood test (bHCG)
View more View lessThis blood test may be offered to confirm your pregnancy. It helps your GP plan next steps including referrals and early care.
When
Optional in early pregnancy after a positive home pregnancy test.
What to do next
Discuss with your GP if there is a benefit to having this test.
Cost
No cost if you have a Medicare card. Confirm out-of-pocket costs at the time of testing.
Once your pregnancy is confirmed
Routine early pregnancy blood tests
View more View lessEarly pregnancy blood tests check your blood group, iron levels, immunity, and screen for infections such as hepatitis and HIV.
The results help your care team plan safe care and identify anything that may need follow-up.
When
When your pregnancy is confirmed.
What to do next
Your maternity care provider usually organises these tests and may include the results with your referral to a maternity service.
Cost
Confirm out-of-pocket costs at the time of testing.
Learn more
Other tests (0-13 weeks)
Dating ultrasound
View more View lessThis optional ultrasound may be offered to confirm how many weeks pregnant you are and checks that the pregnancy is developing in the uterus. You may decide whether this ultrasound is right for you or not.
The scan provides accurate dating. This helps time future tests and appointments.
When
From about 6 weeks of pregnancy.
What to do next
Your maternity care provider can give you a referral and explain where to book the scan.
Cost
You may need to pay an out‑of‑pocket cost, even if you have a Medicare card.
Learn more
Genetic screening tests
View more View lessGenetic screening tests are optional tests that estimate the chance of certain genetic conditions.
Some people find this information helpful for planning care or decision‑making.
When
Timing depends on the type of screening you decide to have:
- Non‑invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): from 10 weeks.
- Combined first trimester screening: blood test and ultrasound between 9 and 13 weeks.
- Second trimester screening: blood test between 14 and 20 weeks.
What to do next
Talk with your maternity care provider about:
- which tests are available
- what the results can and cannot tell you
- whether genetic screening feels right for you.
Cost
Most genetic screening tests involve out‑of‑pocket costs that vary between providers. NIPT is not Medicare‑rebated.
Learn more
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) | Pregnancy Birth and Baby
Cervical screening
View more View lessCervical screening (previously known as a pap smear) checks for human papillomavirus (HPV) which can lead to cervical cancer.
This screening test is safe in pregnancy and helps detect changes early.
Women from ages 25 to 74 are invited to undergo cervical screening every 5 years. Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and mostly occurs in women who have never screened or do not screen regularly. Having regular screening is the best way to protect yourself and the National Cancer Screening Register will send reminders by post or SMS if they have your correct details.
When
During pregnancy, if you are due or overdue for screening and every five years.
What to do next
Ask your maternity care provider if you are due. You can choose self‑collection or clinician‑collection.
Cost
The cervical screening test is free if you have a Medicare card.
You might need to pay for an appointment with the health professional who requests or performs the test.
Learn more
Cervical screening | Better Health Channel
National Cervical Screening Program | Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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