Maternity vaccination and screening

Our teams will explain everything clearly, so you have all the information to make the best choice for you and your baby.They will listen to your needs and respect whatever decision you make, making sure you feel comfortable and supported throughout your pregnancy.

About our service

Our vaccination and screening teams are here to support you during pregnancy. They will explain everything clearly, so you have all the information to make the best choice for you and your baby. They will listen to your needs and respect whatever decision you make, making sure you feel comfortable and supported throughout your pregnancy. 

Screening 

The Antenatal and Newborn screening Team are based in the Antenatal clinic, Stepping Hill hospital.

The team consists of 2 specialist screening midwives and a failsafe officer.  The team are responsible for the management and delivery of the (ANNB) screening programs across the trust, consistent with UK Public Health England (PHE) guidance, to ensure the programs run efficiently and effectively, complying with quality assurance (QA) standards. The ANNB screening team aim to ensure that all eligible women and babies undergo screening tests within the recommended time frames

The 6-national screening programs covered by the ANNB team are:

• Sickle Cell and Thalassaemia Screening in pregnancy
• Infectious diseases in pregnancy
• Fetal Anomaly screening
• New-born Blood Spot screening
• New-born Infant Physical Examination
• New-born hearing screening

Please speak to your community midwife in the first instance if you have any queries relating to Screening tests for you and your baby. For any additional support or unresolved screening issues please contact your screening team where we will be pleased to assist you

During your pregnancy, you will be offered several screening tests to check for conditions that could affect the health or your baby. Participation in these tests is optional, you can choose whether or not you would like them, and we will support your decision.

Screening tests are used to find people at higher chance of a health condition. This means they can get earlier, potentially more effective treatment, or make informed decisions about their health. It can be helpful to imagine screening like putting people through a sieve. Most people pass straight through, but a small number get caught in the sieve. The people caught in the sieve are those considered to have a higher chance of having the health condition being screened for.

Screening tests are not perfect. Some people will be told that they or their baby have a high chance of having a health condition when in fact they do not have the condition (false positive). Also, a few people will be told that they or their baby have a low chance of having a health condition when in fact they do have the condition (false negative).

Screening tests for you and your baby

This can be viewed on the video below, uses BSL and can be accessed in different languages.( Screening tests in pregnancy – NHS

What Screening test will I be offered in my pregnancy?

At your booking appointment you will be offered screening for sickle cell and thalassemia is offered to check if you are a carrier of these genetic conditions. Sometimes the baby’s father may also need to be tested. You will also be offered a blood test for HIV, hepatitis B, and syphilis, to screen for these infectious diseases. It is recommended these are taken as early as possible. This is so specialist care and treatment can be offered to protect your health and prevent your baby from being infected.

Screening for Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome 

This is offered to see how likely it is that your baby has any of the 3 conditions. The combined test is offered between 11 and 14 weeks and is in 2 parts.

A blood test from your arm and a measurement of the fluid at the back of your baby’s neck taken during your dating scan. 

If the combined test isn’t possible, if you are over 14 weeks at your scan or the measurement is too difficult to obtain, an alternative quadruple test is available up to 20 weeks for Down’s syndrome only. Edward’s syndrome and Patau’s syndrome will also be checked for at your anomaly scan.

The anomaly scan (also referred to as a 20 week scan) is an ultrasound performed between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. Its purpose is to check if your baby could have a condition that could affect its health and development. Some conditions can be seen more easily than others and scans may not find everything. The scan is non-invasive and lasts about 30 minutes. You’ll be told the results of the scan when the health professional has completed the checks. 

What screening test will be offered after my baby is born?

New-born Physical Examination (eyes, heart, hips and testes)

Within 72 hours of giving birth, you will be offered a top-to-toe physical examination for your new-born baby. It will include 4 specific screening tests to find out whether your baby has a suspected problem with their eyes, heart, hips or, in boys, their testes which would benefit from early investigation and possible treatment.

This examination is recommended by the NHS, but like all screening tests it is optional. You can decide to have your baby examined and screened for any, all, or none of the conditions

Blood Spot Screening

When your baby is 5 days old you will be offered new-born blood spot screening (sometimes known as the heel prick test) to find out if your baby has any of 10 rare but serious health conditions.

The blood spot screening test is recommended by the NHS, because it could save your baby’s life but like all screening tests it is optional.

Early screening is best as treatment can be started as soon as possible if needed. But if you choose not to have screening, your baby can have the test later if you change your mind. Babies can be screened up to 12 months of age for all the conditions except cystic fibrosis (only up to 8 weeks of age).

Early treatment can improve your baby’s health and prevent severe disability or even death. If you, the baby’s father, or a family member already has one of these conditions, please tell your health professional straight away as your baby may need to be screened earlier, even as soon as within 24 hours of birth.

Hearing Screening

Hearing screening is recommended for your baby to find babies who have a hearing loss so that support and advice can be offered right from the start.

Finding hearing loss early is important for your baby’s development.

1 to 2 babies in every 1,000 are born with a permanent hearing loss in one or both ears. Most of these babies are born into families with no history of hearing loss.

Permanent hearing loss can significantly affect a baby’s development. Finding out early can give these babies a better chance of developing speech and language skills. It will help babies make the most of relationships with their family and carers from an early age.

These screenings are offered to provide important information, but they are always optional and we encourage you to talk to your midwife if you have any questions.

Vaccinations   

Our teams provide: 

• The flu vaccine during flu season is 1^st September to 31^st March
• The whooping cough vaccine from 16 weeks
• The RSV vaccine from 28 weeks

You may be able to receive your vaccines during your community midwife or antenatal clinic appointments, or by emailing the Maternity Immunisation Team on [email protected] for details of our drop-in clinics.

How to use the service

Your community midwife will discuss all recommended screening tests and immunisations with you during your booking appointment.
You don’t need to book separately, appointments and referrals are arranged as part of your routine antenatal care.
If you have questions, or would like to decline or delay any test or vaccine, your midwife will provide information and support to help you make an informed choice.

Parking

There are parking spaces near the Maternity Unit, but they can fill up quickly as parking is limited

You can buy a parking pass for £14 which lasts through your pregnancy. These passes are available at the Rowan Suite, which is located in the main hospital reception area.