You are a community midwife undertaking an initial assessment with Alex, a primigravida who is 12 weeks pregnant, at her home.

Although Alex was born in the UK, her family has a Mediterranean background. Alex’s partner has lived in the UK for many years but was born in Greece. Both are fit and well and very much looking forward to becoming parents.

You know that with their population ancestry there is a possibility that the couple may be carriers for beta-thalassaemia and, if so, their baby could inherit the condition.