Pre-Conception Blood Tests: What to Book Before Trying for a Baby

You don’t need a blood test before you start trying for a baby. The NHS’s main advice is simple: take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day before you conceive and until you’re 12 weeks pregnant.

Some couples still want a baseline first. That’s common if periods are irregular, if there’s a relevant medical history, or if age makes planning feel more urgent. In those cases, the Fertility & Pre-Conception blood test gives you a structured starting point that you can take to your GP.

What the fertility panel checks

Swift’s Fertility & Pre-Conception blood test costs £115. It looks at key reproductive hormones together with folate:

• FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinising hormone). These pituitary hormones drive the menstrual cycle. They’re best measured early in the cycle, usually between days 2 and 5.
• Progesterone. This is used to check whether ovulation has happened. It needs to be taken about seven days before your next expected period, which is day 21 in a 28-day cycle.
• Folate. This B vitamin is important for the baby’s neural tube development in early pregnancy.

A normal folate result does not replace the folic acid supplement. The NHS advice applies whatever your level.

Because these markers work best at different points in the cycle, ask when booking whether one appointment will cover what you need or whether two are better. A home visit can make cycle timing much easier.

Testing both partners

Fertility is a shared question. Male factors are involved in roughly a third of couples’ fertility problems, so it makes sense for both partners to think about testing.

A blood test can check male hormones. Swift offers a male fertility blood test covering testosterone and androstenedione. There is one important limit: a blood test cannot assess sperm. Sperm count, movement and shape need a semen analysis, which your GP can arrange.

Book privately or wait for your GP?

Situation	Suggested route
Planning ahead with no concerns	Folic acid, plus an optional private baseline
Irregular or absent periods	GP, plus a female hormone or fertility blood test
Trying for 12 months without success (6 months if 36 or over)	GP fertility referral
You only want to know about ovarian reserve	AMH blood test

If you’re unsure which applies to you, see what the fertility panel includes and compare it with the single-marker options below.

Other tests worth knowing about

The panel isn’t the only option. Depending on what you want to know, these single tests may suit you better:

• AMH blood test: estimates ovarian reserve and can be taken on any day of the cycle.
• Progesterone blood test: confirms ovulation on its own.
• Folate blood test: useful if you have a condition that affects absorption.

Booking one targeted test is often better value than a panel if you already know what you’re looking for.

What a pre-conception test can’t do

It’s worth being realistic before you book:

• No single blood test can tell you how quickly you will conceive.
• Normal hormone results don’t rule out problems with the fallopian tubes, the womb or sperm.
• Hormonal contraception changes results. If you’ve only just stopped the pill, your natural cycle may take a few months to settle.

Use your results as information to discuss with your GP, not as a final answer.

Clinic or home collection

Venous blood samples can be taken at Swift clinics in Billericay, Basildon, Thurrock, Maldon, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Bromley and Sunbury, or at home across Essex, Bromley and Surrey. Use the clinic finder to choose the location that suits you.

How booking works

1. Choose the Fertility & Pre-Conception blood test online.
2. Pick a clinic or home appointment on the right day of your cycle.
3. Have a quick venous blood draw.
4. Receive your results and share them with your GP if you wish.

Getting the most from your appointment

A little planning makes your results easier to use:

• Track your cycle for a month or two before booking, so you know your likely day 2 to 5 and day 21.
• Bring a list of any medicines and supplements you take.
• Note any symptoms, such as very painful or irregular periods, to mention to your GP alongside your results.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a fertility blood test before trying to conceive?

No. Most couples don’t. Testing is optional unless you have symptoms or a relevant medical history.

Which day should I have fertility blood tests?

FSH and LH are usually taken early in the cycle. Progesterone is taken about seven days before your next expected period.

Can men have a fertility blood test?

Yes, for hormones. Sperm quality needs a separate semen analysis.

Does a normal folate result mean I can skip folic acid?

No. The NHS advises 400 micrograms daily before conception and until 12 weeks of pregnancy, whatever your result.

Will my GP accept private results?

You can share them with your GP. Your GP may repeat some tests as part of NHS care.

Book your pre-conception test

If you’d like a clear baseline before you start trying, book Swift’s Fertility & Pre-Conception blood test at a clinic or at home.