What tests are carried out on the maternal blood?

A maternal blood sample is collected at the time of your baby’s birth, usually before the actual delivery. This is tested for a number of infectious agents, including HIV, hepatitis B and C, HTLV and syphilis. We understand that tests for these have often been carried out during your pregnancy but it is important for us to repeat them at the time of delivery, as the results can tell us whether the cord blood is infected with any of the above pathogens.