Blood tests for investigating maternal wellbeing. 2. Testing for anaemia in pregnancy.

Blood tests for investigating maternal wellbeing is the 10th series of 'Midwifery basics' and is targeted at both student and practising midwives who wish to update. The series aims to raise awareness of the needs of women during their childbearing experience. This first article will provide an overview of the blood screening tests concerned with differential diagnosis of anaemia in pregnancy so that midwives are able to identify those women who 'actually' need iron therapy and those who require further specialist input from either an obstetrician and/or a haematologist. The reader is encouraged, through directed exercises, to seek further information.