diagnosis of pregnancy
Last edited 04/2019 and last reviewed 07/2023
Most women still rely on their general practitioner to diagnose pregnancy, despite the widespread availability of pregnancy testing kits.
The history and laboratory investigations are the most frequently used routes for making a diagnosis.
Many general practitioners will make the diagnosis of pregnancy with a history of a missed period after intercourse and no previous amenorrhoea. Should there be a history of disrupted bleeding, for example, post-pill amenorrhoea, then biochemical pregnancy testing should be considered.
During pregnancy various screening tests may be offered:
Below is National Screening Committee - Screening Timeline relating timing of screening tests to the weeks of pregnancy and the postpartum
For more information then see www.screening.nhs.uk/an