Holding on to Hope: The Essential Tests & Scans Every Parent-to-Be Sho

There’s something incredibly powerful about those early days — when you’re dreaming of a baby, or maybe just found out you’re expecting. It's a time filled with wonder, love, and questions. So many questions. One of the most common and important ones? “What tests do I need to take?” Because when you’re carrying so much hope in your heart, you want to do everything you can to keep your little one safe — even before they arrive. Let’s walk through the most important tests and scans — from pre-pregnancy to delivery — not just as medical steps, but as milestones on your beautiful journey to parenthood.

Before the Two Pink Lines: Pre-Pregnancy Tests
If you’re planning to conceive, this is where your journey begins — with love, intention, and preparation.

Basic Blood Tests

Hemoglobin levels (to check for anemia)
Blood sugar levels (to rule out diabetes)
Thyroid function test
Blood group and Rh factor
These help make sure your body is ready for the little miracle you're hoping for.

Immunity Check

Rubella and Varicella (chickenpox) immunity
Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis screening
These protect you and your future baby from preventable infections.

Genetic Carrier Screening (optional but important)
If there’s a family history of certain genetic disorders, this test can help assess potential risks — giving you clarity and confidence.

Once You’re Pregnant: Tests & Scans That Guide Your Journey
Once that test turns positive, a whole new chapter begins — one filled with doctor visits, fluttery first kicks, and sweet daydreams of baby giggles.

First Trimester (Weeks 6–13)

Early Pregnancy Scan (Dating Scan).
Confirms the pregnancy, checks for heartbeat, and helps estimate your due date. Seeing that tiny heartbeat for the first time? It’s unforgettable.
Blood Tests
Complete blood count, blood group, thyroid, sugar levels, and infection screenings are repeated to ensure both you and baby are doing well.
Nuchal Translucency (NT) Scan + Double Marker Test (Week 11–14)
A beautiful, detailed scan that also checks for chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome. It’s more than just a test — it’s the first real glimpse of your growing baby.

Second Trimester (Weeks 14–28)

Anomaly Scan (Week 18–22)
A crucial, emotional moment. This scan checks the baby’s organs, spine, limbs, and overall development. It’s the scan where many parents fall even more in love — seeing tiny toes, a flickering heart, and sometimes a cheeky wave.
Triple/Quadruple Marker Test
Done alongside or instead of the NT scan, depending on the stage and need.
Glucose Tolerance Test (GTT)
Usually around 24–28 weeks to screen for gestational diabetes.

Third Trimester (Weeks 28–40)

Growth Scans (Weeks 28, 32, and sometimes 36)
These monitor baby’s position, weight, and placenta health. You’ll get to see your baby getting ready for the world.
NST (Non-Stress Test)
A gentle check of baby’s movements and heartbeat, usually in the final weeks.

More Than Just Tests
Every blood test, every scan — they’re not just clinical checkboxes. They’re steps on your path to holding your baby in your arms. Each one brings reassurance, a sense of progress, and often… a deeper emotional bond with the little life growing inside you. Pregnancy is a dance of science and soul — where medicine meets miracles.

A Gentle Reminder
Always talk to your doctor about what’s right for you — each pregnancy is unique. If something feels overwhelming or confusing, ask questions. You're not expected to know it all. Celebrate each step — the first scan, the first kick, the first time you hear the word mama in your dreams.

To every parent reading this:

You’re doing an incredible job already — just by caring this much. Let every test bring you closer to your baby, not just in health, but in heart. You’ve got this 💖