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 First blood test: taken at booking-in visit at around 8 weeks. Determines your blood group and whether you are rhesus negative or positive (can affect your body’s response to your baby). Also checks for: anaemia (supplements may be needed), immunity to rubella (German measles – can damage the baby if you catch it in pregnancy), syphilis, hepatitis B, HIV and genetic conditions such as sickle cell and thalassaemia. These are inherited blood disorders. In Britain, sickle cell disorders are found mainly in those of African/Caribbean descent and thalassaemia is most common in people from Mediterranean, Asian and Middle Eastern ancestry.

 ‘Triple screen’: about 16–18 weeks. Screens principally for Down’s syndrome and also for spina bifida. Only 65 per cent of these conditions are detected. Do not panic if you get a ‘high risk’ result (see below).

 Anaemia: usually at around 28 and sometimes at 36 weeks too.