Imagine hearing the joyful news of expecting a new family member, only to have that joy crushed weeks or months later during a first trimester ultrasound scan. This is a reality that too many women are facing, due to the lack of timely pregnancy testing at booking-in appointments. I was victim to this, back in September 2025.

When I first found out I was 1-2 weeks pregnant on 9/8/25, I was overjoyed. You name it, I did it - folic acid pills, pregnancy multivitamins, alcohol cessation, tea/coffee/cola swaps, swimming once a week and all that jazz. However, at my first-trimester NHS ultrasound scan on 25/9/25, I was heartbroken to learn that it was a false positive after the doppler and probe scans turned out to be inconclusive. The emotional toll was devastating - I had my Facebook and Instagram pregnancy announcement post blueprint planned (it consisted of a scan photo, four pairs of shoes with the last one being a pair of baby bootees and my son flanked by a message reading, “My ‘only child’ status is being revoked!!”) - and this could have been avoided with a simple pregnancy test during my initial booking-in appointment. As it happened, the scan day was also on my husband’s and my wedding anniversary and it tarnished what should’ve been our special day. Doctor’s word shouldn’t be substituted for anything else and this also applies with Clearblue and the like (you’re not supposed to use Clearblue etc as a substitute for doctor confirmation, no matter how accurate Clearblue is). When I left the house on the day of the booking-in appointment on 27/8/25, I told my husband part of me was dreading it because of the niggling thought “what if it turns out to be a false positive?” The first thing done at booking-in was a urine test, also done when the scan was over (it was this that confirmed it to be a false positive at the scan). The urine test at the booking-in appointment could’ve confirmed there and then if it was a false positive, and the appointment terminated there and then instead of wasting money and time continuing the appointment if nothing is confirmed of the urine test. It isn’t just me—this is a shared experience for countless women.

Currently, the NHS does not routinely include pregnancy tests at the booking-in appointments, although it’s a simple and cost-effective measure. Such measures were scrapped during the Covid-19 pandemic because obviously the NHS had bigger fish to fry and tackling Covid-19 was obviously priority. But now, times have changed and the Covid-19 pandemic is largely behind us. Ultrasound scans can cost the NHS upwards of £1000. That’s a lot of money wasted on a wild goose chase, which being told of a false positive at an ultrasound scan effectively is. By ensuring pregnancy is accurately confirmed early on, we could significantly reduce unnecessary spending, saving vital resources and preventing emotional distress.

Financially, it's practical. Emotionally, it's considerate. Medically, it's necessary. Reinstate pregnancy testing during booking-in appointments and help save both NHS resources and the hearts of countless women.

It’s time for the NHS to review this process and take immediate action to reinstate pregnancy testing during booking-in. By signing this petition, you are advocating for a simple yet profound change that respects both our emotions and practical needs. Please stand with me to make this crucial change happen. Sign this petition now and help us bring this much-needed reform to the NHS.