Screening helps find health problems early so you can get treated. It is given to people who do not have signs, but who may be at high risk.
The Tests
You will get tests as part of your routine care. They can help your doctor know if you are at risk. Tests you may have are:
The Guidelines
Pregnant women should be screened for STIs on their first doctor visit to look for:
In some cases, your doctor will also screen you for other health problems.
All pregnant women should be screened for Group B streptococcal disease (GBS) at 35-37 weeks. If you have it, you will be given medicine during labor.
Pre-pregnancy Checkup
This health exam can help you avoid infection and raise the chances of having a healthy baby. Your healthcare provider will ask about your health history, past pregnancies, and lifestyle. You can ask questions and talk about any worries you may have, such as whether work or hobbies put you at risk for health problems.
Blood tests measure immunity to certain infections. If you have it, you cannot get the infection again. If you do not have it, you may be able to get a shot to protect yourself. You can be checked for:
Apgar BS, Greenberg G, Yen G. Prevention of group B streptococcal disease in the newborn. Am Fam Physician. 2005;71(5):903-910.
Bacterial vaginosis during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated August 2015. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Chickenpox. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T116084/Chickenpox . Updated June 25, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and congenital CMV infection. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Updated June 6, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Group B Strep (GBS). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Updated May 29, 2018. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Pregnancy and fifth disease. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Updated November 17, 2017. August 13, 2018.
Routine prenatal care. EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T114252/Routine-prenatal-care . Updated March 17, 2017.
Schrag SJ, Arnold KE, Mohle-Boetani JC, et al. Prenatal screening for infectious diseases and opportunities for prevention. Obstet Gynecol. 2003;102(4):753-760.
STDs during pregnancy. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at:
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Updated October 6, 2017. Accessed August 13, 2018.
Urinary tract infection during pregnancy. American Pregnancy Association website. Available at:
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Updated March 10, 2017. Accessed August 13 ,2018.
Last reviewed May 2018 by
EBSCO Medical Review Board
Beverly Siegal, MD, FACOG
Last Updated: 8/13/2018