It's hard to put into words the joy you feel when you find out you're having a baby. It's normal to feel a little scared at the same time. You wonder, "Will my baby be healthy?", "Will I have any problems?". This is when prenatal tests, also known as prenatal tests, come in handy. These tests can provide valuable information about your health and that of your unborn baby.
What are the prenatal tests?
Simply put, these are a series of tests that are performed throughout your pregnancy to make sure you and your baby are healthy. Some of these are routine tests that are done for all pregnant women. Others are done only if there is a risk of your baby having a genetic disease or birth defect.
Based on the results of these tests, your doctor will be able to provide the best healthcare for you and your baby, both before and after delivery.
The important thing is that a positive test result does not always mean that the baby has a disease. Therefore, never panic on your own. Always talk to your doctor about this and understand exactly what the results mean.
What are the routine tests that are done for everyone?
From the day you find out you're pregnant until the day your baby is born, your doctor will run a variety of tests to check on your health. Most of these are done using blood and urine samples.
| Type of test | What are you looking at and why? |
|---|---|
| Blood Tests |
|
| Urine Tests | Look for signs of conditions such as urinary tract infections and preeclampsia (a condition of high blood pressure during pregnancy). |
| Ultrasound Scan | This test, which uses sound waves to create images of your baby and your uterus, is usually done at least twice.
|
| Group B Strep test | In the month leading up to the baby's birth, the vagina is checked for this bacteria. If it is present, treatment is given to prevent infection in the baby. |
Specialized Genetic Testing (Genetic Prenatal Testing)
These are the type of tests that many mothers are a little afraid of, but are very important. They are used to find out if the baby is at risk of having a genetic disease or birth defect, such as Down syndrome.
These tests are not mandatory for everyone, but your doctor may recommend them for mothers in the following risk groups:
- If you are over 35 years old
- If a previous child had a genetic disease or birth defect
- If you or your baby's father has a family history of genetic diseases
- If you have had previous miscarriages or stillbirths
There are two main types of genetic testing. It is very important to understand this difference.
1. Screening Tests: These only tell you how likely your baby is to develop a certain disease. This does not mean that the baby has the disease.Not confirmed. These are completely safe, usually done as a blood test or scan.
2. Diagnostic Tests: If a screening test results in a high risk condition, these tests are done to confirm with 100% certainty whether the baby actually has the condition or not . These tests carry a small risk.
What are the types of screening tests?
- Combined Test (between 11-14 weeks): This involves combining an ultrasound scan (an NT scan that measures the thickness of the skin at the back of the baby's neck) and a blood test from the mother to calculate the risk of conditions such as Down syndrome.
- Cell-free fetal DNA (NIPT) test: This is a slightly more advanced blood test. It looks for pieces of the baby's DNA in the mother's blood and can very accurately detect the risk of chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), Trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13.
- Triple/Quadruple Screening Test (between 15-22 weeks): This is also a blood test of the mother. It assesses risk by looking at the levels of hormones and proteins from the baby and the placenta.
What are the types of diagnostic tests?
If a screening test indicates a risk, your doctor will talk to you and decide if you need to have one of these tests.
- Amniocentesis: In this, a very thin needle is inserted through your abdomen into your uterus, under the guidance of a scan, and a small sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the baby is taken. This can be tested to determine if there are any genetic disorders.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): This involves taking a small piece of tissue from the placenta and testing it. This can also be done with a needle through the abdomen or through the vagina.
Are there any risks with these diagnostic tests?
Yes, both of these tests carry a small but unavoidable risk. Your doctor will explain these risks to you thoroughly before performing them.
| Possible risk | Description |
|---|---|
| Miscarriage | This is a very rare occurrence (less than 1%). This risk is further reduced when performed by an experienced physician. |
| Infection | There is a very small risk of infection anytime a needle goes through the skin. |
| Bleeding | It is normal for a small drop of blood to come out of the needle insertion site, but it is very rare to experience heavy bleeding. |
| Leaking of cerebrospinal fluid | Although there is usually a small amount of leakage, it does not affect pregnancy. |
What do you do when you get the results?
This is the most important part. When you get a test report, don't be alarmed by the words and numbers on it. If a screening test says 'High Risk', it doesn't mean that the baby has a disease, it just means that the risk is high and that further testing is needed.
The best thing to do is to take the report and go straight to your doctor. He or she will explain the meaning of the results, what to do next, and your options. If necessary, they will refer you to a genetic counselor.
Questions to ask the doctor
- Why am I being asked to take this test?
- What exactly do these results say?
- How accurate are these tests?
- What should I do with the results?
- What are the risks of this test?
- Can these tests be done at a government hospital? Or do they have to be done privately? How much does it cost?
Take-Home Message
- Prenatal tests provide valuable information about your and your baby's health.
- There are two types of tests: routine tests that are done for everyone and genetic tests that are done in special cases.
- Screening tests only indicate the 'risk' of a disease. Diagnostic tests confirm whether a disease is present or not.
- Tests like amniocentesis and CVS have a very small risk of miscarriage, so they are only done if absolutely necessary.
- Never make decisions alone or panic when you receive a test report. Always discuss it with your doctor.
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