Comprehensive Prenatal Check-ups in Hong Kong | A Guide to Prenatal Screening Items
Pregnancy can be a nerve-wracking time for expectant mothers, making a regular prenatal check-up the ultimate safety net for a healthy journey. Through a series of testing, you can detect potential health issues early, receive timely medical advice, and find the right solutions to ensure the well-being of both mom and baby.
What makes prenatal check-ups important?
- Monitor Fetal Development: Through ultrasounds and other exams, we continuously track the baby’s growth rate, heartbeat, fetal position, and organ development to ensure everything is normal.
- Assess Maternal Health: We monitor the expecting mother’s weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and urine levels to detect risks of complications like gestational hypertension and gestational diabetes early on.
- Genetic Condition Screening: By conducting prenatal screening such as Down syndrome tests (e.g., T21, NIPT), we can evaluate the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities.
- Personalized Professional Consultations: Based on your test results, your obstetrician will provide tailored advice on diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits, while answering any questions to help ease pregnancy anxiety.
Why choose Amber Health’s prenatal check-up services?
One-Stop Health Management
Amber Health offers comprehensive medical services spanning obstetrics and gynecology, assisted reproduction, traditional Chinese medicine conditioning, and psychological support. We meet your multi-stage health needs from preconception and pregnancy to postpartum recovery. From precise prenatal testing during pregnancy to postpartum body restoration, our team provides seamless, one-stop care.
Professional Team
Our professional team consists of obstetrics, gynecology, and maternal-fetal medicine specialists. Team members focus on high-risk pregnancy monitoring, precise prenatal screening items (such as morphology scans), and postpartum care. We are committed to providing personalized treatment plans combined with cutting-edge medical technology to fully protect the health and safety of you and your baby.
Common Prenatal Screening Items in Hong Kong
Whether you choose a public hospital or a private clinic, the standard workflow for prenatal check-ups in Hong Kong covers a series of foundational and advanced examinations.
| Stage of Pregnancy | Recommended Weeks | Test Item | Primary Purpose & Details | Method |
| First Trimester
(Before week 12) |
Approx. 8-10 weeks | First Prenatal Check-up | Confirm pregnancy and estimated due date (EDD); check basic maternal health, including blood type, hemoglobin, rubella antibodies, Hepatitis B, HIV, etc. | Consultation, height/weight/blood pressure measurement, blood and urine tests |
| Approx. 8-10 weeks | Early Ultrasound | Confirm fetal heartbeat, number of fetuses (singleton/multiple), size, and calculate an accurate due date. | Ultrasound scan | |
| Approx. 11-13 weeks | Down Syndrome Screening (OSCAR) | Calculate the risk of the fetus having Down syndrome by combining ultrasound data and hormone levels. | Ultrasound to measure nuchal translucency (NT), blood test | |
| Approx. 11-13 weeks | Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) | Highly accurate prenatal screening for chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome (T21), Edwards syndrome (T18), and Patau syndrome (T13). | Maternal venous blood draw | |
| Second Trimester (Weeks 13-27) | Regularly | Routine Prenatal Check-up | Regularly monitor maternal weight, blood pressure, urine sugar, and urine protein; measure uterine size and listen to fetal heartbeat. | Weight/blood pressure measurement, urine test, palpation, auscultation |
| Approx. 18-22 weeks | Morphology Scan (Anomaly Scan) | Detailed examination of the fetus’s major organ structures (skull, brain, heart, limbs, etc.) for any abnormalities. | Level II (High-level) ultrasound scan | |
| Approx. 24-28 weeks | Gestational Diabetes Screening | Screen the expecting mother for gestational diabetes. | Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT) | |
| Third Trimester
(After week 28) |
Regularly | Routine Prenatal Check-up | Closely check if the fetal position is normal; assess amniotic fluid and placental function. | Palpation, ultrasound scan |
| Approx. 35-37 weeks | Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening | Check if the mother is a carrier to prevent the baby from getting infected during delivery. | Vaginal and rectal swab | |
| Late Pregnancy | Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring (NST) | Assess the fetal health status in the uterus, especially applicable for high-risk pregnancies. | Cardiotocography (CTG) / Fetal monitor | |
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I have a prenatal check-up?
- Before 28 weeks: About once every 4-6 weeks.
- 29 to 36 weeks: About once every 2-3 weeks.
- 37 weeks to delivery: About once every 1-2 weeks.
Note: For high-risk pregnancies, your doctor will recommend more frequent prenatal testing based on your specific condition.
Do I need to fast before a prenatal check-up?
Most routine prenatal screening items (like blood pressure measurements, ultrasounds, and routine blood tests) do not require fasting.
- Gestational Diabetes Screening (OGTT): Requires fasting for at least 8 hours prior to the test.
- Certain specific blood tests: It is recommended to confirm with the clinic or hospital whether fasting is required before booking your appointment.
What is the difference between a pre-marital health check and prenatal testing?
- Pre-marital health check: This is the first step in prevention. The goal is to ensure both partners are in optimal health and fully prepared for conception.
- Prenatal testing: This is the follow-up process. Once pregnancy occurs, it continuously tracks the health status of both the mother and the fetus to ensure a safe pregnancy and prepare for a smooth delivery.