Diseases Which Can Affect Pregnancy But Can Be Immunised Against

Measles antibodies £41.00
If you have not had measles in the past and are not sure if you have been vaccinated we can offer a blood test to check your immunity. If you are not immune we can arrange for vaccination. Measles can seriously affect a baby or be life threatening to the unborn baby if developed in pregnancy. It is important any woman considering pregnancy is immune to measles prior to conception. As a result of the controversy over the MMR vaccinations many children have not been vaccinated and as a result the incidence of measles is increasing.

Rubella (German measles susceptibility) £30.00
Rubella is also known as German measles it can be cause severe birth defects if developed in pregnancy. Your susceptibility (immunity) can be checked with a blood test and is important as it can seriously affect your baby’s sight and hearing and cause brain and heart damage in the unborn baby. If you were not immune and were in contact with the disease during pregnancy you would need to see your doctor at once for further testing and you would be offered the option of ending your pregnancy after discussing what problems the baby may have. A simple blood test can check your immunity, if you have no immunity a simple vaccination can be organised before you attempt to conceive.

Mumps, measles and rubella (Combined blood test) £90.00

Toxoplasmosis antibodies £46.50
Toxoplasmosis is a parasite which often causes few symptoms. A positive result pre pregnancy means you have already been exposed and there is little chance of passing this on to your baby when pregnant. If it is negative precautions can be taken to avoid exposure during pregnancy. A positive result in pregnancy is difficult to manage as a test cannot indicate whether the infection was present before pregnancy where the risks are low or developed in pregnancy where the risks significantly increase. The treatment for toxoplasmosis in pregnancy can be as harmful as the disease itself.

Varicella (Chicken Pox immunity) £43.00
Most women are immune to chicken pox having previously had the disease. It is a dangerous disease for both the mother and baby if contracted during pregnancy. If you have not had or are unsure whether you have had the disease a blood test can be done to check immunity. If you are not immune a vaccination can be organised prior to pregnancy.

Sexually Transmitted Infections Which Can Affect Pregnancy.

We would recommend sexual health screening at a sexual health clinic, however we can offer the following screening for women who would prefer to have their pre pregnancy screening as a complete package.

Chlamydia £47.00
Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) which often has no symptoms but can cause significant problems with fertility if it is left untreated and undetected. There is some evidence that untreated Chlamydia infections can cause premature labour and it can also be transmitted from mother to baby and birth. It is the most likely cause of pneumonia and conjunctivitis in new born babies. Chlamydia can be treated with antibiotics and is best treated before pregnancy.

Gonorrhoea £47.00
This is also an STI which can and be passed on to a baby during birth. A urine sample can identify gonorrhoea present in the cervix and urethra. This can also be treated with antibiotics and is best done before pregnancy.

Syphilis (VDRL) £36.00
This is a sexually transmitted disease which can be easily treated but is best treated before pregnancy.

Hepatitis B (Hep B surface antigen) £27.50
Hepatitis B is a blood born virus that affects the liver. It is a virus which can have no symptoms or signs of illness but can still be transmitted by carriers of the disease. Babies who are at risk of transmitting the virus from their mother can be immunised at birth to prevent infection.

Hepatitis C (Antibodies) £59.00
Hepatitis C is a blood borne virus which affects the liver and its ability to function properly. There are drug treatments for hepatitis C and it can be successfully treated.

HIV (HIV antibodies) £29.50
HIV is a blood borne virus which affects the immune system. HIV positive women can have children and steps can be taken to reduce transmission to the baby (i.e. elective caesarean section and bottle rather than breast feeding). Planned conception should be discussed further depending on the partners HIV status. The Prenatal Company provides an HIV screening service.

Please note that by planning to pregnant you will be having unprotected sex therefore these tests will not ensure these viruses are not contracted in trying to conceive. We recommend partner testing for sexually transmitted diseases as well.