WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

• Sickle cell and thalassaemia are serious inherited blood diseases
• All pregnant women in England should ideally be offered screening by 8-10 weeks in pregnancy. Ask your GP or midwife for details
• If you carry the gene of sickle cell or thalassaemia you will be healthy, but you could pass the disorder to your baby
• Screening is important for men too. Babies inherit the diseases from both their fathers and mothers