Pregnancy Scans & Tests — What Happens When (and What It Costs)

Pregnancy comes with a surprising number of scans and blood tests, most on a fairly standard timetable. Knowing what's coming — and what's optional, free, or out-of-pocket — takes a lot of the anxiety out of it.

The usual timeline

• 6-10 weeks — dating scan. Confirms how far along you are and the due date, checks for a heartbeat and how many babies. Often the first "it's real" moment.
• 10-13 weeks — first blood tests. Blood group and antibodies, full blood count, iron, infections (rubella, hep B/C, HIV, syphilis), and sometimes vitamin D and thyroid.
• From 10 weeks — NIPT (optional). Non-invasive prenatal test: a blood test screening for Down syndrome and other chromosomal conditions, and it can tell you the sex. Usually not Medicare-rebated — budget roughly $400-$500 out of pocket.
• 11-13+6 weeks — combined first trimester screening (optional alternative/addition). Nuchal translucency scan + blood test to estimate chromosomal risk. Attracts a Medicare rebate.
• 18-20 weeks — morphology scan. The big detailed anatomy scan. Checks baby's development head to toe and the placenta position. Some practices charge a gap.
• 24-28 weeks — glucose tolerance test (GTT). Screens for gestational diabetes. Fasting, then a sweet drink and timed blood draws — bring a snack for afterwards.
• ~28 weeks — Anti-D if you're Rh-negative, plus repeat blood count.
• ~36 weeks — Group B Strep (GBS) swab. A simple swab; if positive you'll be offered antibiotics in labour.
• As needed — growth scans in the third trimester if your care team wants to monitor baby's size or your placenta.

Diagnostic tests like CVS or amniocentesis are only offered if screening flags a higher chance of a condition — they're not routine.

What's free and what isn't

• Public care (e.g. Royal Women's, Mercy, Box Hill): most scans and tests are free through the hospital and public pathology/imaging.
• Private / GP shared care: pathology is usually bulk-billed, but ultrasound clinics often charge a gap above the Medicare rebate — ask the cost when you book.
• NIPT is the main "extra" most families pay for. It's optional; decide what information you actually want.

Booking and tips

• Get scans at a clinic experienced in obstetric ultrasound — your hospital, GP, or midwife will refer you.
• The morphology scan books out — schedule it early.
• You can decline any screening test. They give information, not obligations — talk through what a result would mean for you before you book.
• Drink water before early scans (a fuller bladder helps the image); the clinic will tell you.

For choosing your care model and hospital in the first place, see Where to Give Birth in Melbourne.

Disclaimer: melbourne.baby is a community platform — information is general and not medical advice. Your hospital, GP, or midwife guides your individual testing. In an emergency call 000.