You will be offered a blood test to tell you whether you are blood group rhesus negative or rhesus positive. If you are rhesus negative you may need extra care to reduce the risk of rhesus disease.
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Rhesus disease can happen if you are rhesus negative and pregnant and involves your body developing antibodies that attack the baby's blood cells. This can lead to anaemia and jaundice in the baby.
If you are rhesus negative, you may be offered injections during pregnancy to prevent you from producing these antibodies. This is safe for both mother and baby.
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Iron deficiency anaemia makes you tired and less able to cope with loss of blood when you give birth.
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You should be offered screening for iron deficiency anaemia at your booking appointment and at 28 weeks.
If tests show you have iron deficiency anaemia, you'll probably be offered iron and folic acid.