{"id":1937,"date":"2022-01-14T09:28:39","date_gmt":"2022-01-14T14:28:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/2mehealthcare.com\/ob2me\/?p=1937"},"modified":"2023-09-16T06:45:22","modified_gmt":"2023-09-16T10:45:22","slug":"noninvasive-prenatal-screening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/2mehealthcare.com\/ob2me\/noninvasive-prenatal-screening\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Need to Know About Noninvasive Prenatal Screening"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chances are, if you’re interested in learning more about noninvasive prenatal screening, you’re in the first trimester of pregnancy. To begin with, congratulations! You’ve already come so far, but this journey is just beginning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Of course, there is so much to be excited about, but some parents become a little nervous when the topic of genetic testing comes up. It’s time for parents to decide whether or not they should screen for a potential issue. We understand that decisions of this nature can be difficult, but most expectant parents feel a little better when they are well-informed about the topic before making a choice.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re uncertain, working with an <\/span>experienced healthcare provider<\/span><\/a> can help you to feel comfortable and empowered with whichever decision you choose. But first, let’s discuss what a noninvasive prenatal screening is, how it works, and who is the best candidate for this screening. This way, you can make informed decisions that best suit your values and needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Is Noninvasive Prenatal Screening?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) \u2014 also known as noninvasive prenatal screening (NIPS) \u2014 is a medical test that allows expectant mothers to determine whether or not their child will be born with genetic abnormalities. These tests analyze DNA within the mother’s blood. Noninvasive prenatal screening can be performed at 10 weeks pregnant, and most people get their test before 21 weeks.<\/span><\/p>\n

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How Noninvasive Prenatal Screening Works<\/span><\/h2>\n

Healthcare providers consider this type of prenatal screening to be noninvasive because this test only requires a blood sample from the mother and has no impact on the child.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noninvasive prenatal screening estimates whether or not there is an increased risk that the child will experience a genetic disorder. When a woman is pregnant, her blood contains maternal DNA and cell-free fetal DNA. Essentially, cell-free fetal DNA is DNA from the placenta within the mother’s bloodstream. The test will be positive if it detects abnormal amounts of specific DNA. For instance, high amounts of chromosomes 13, 18, or 21 could mean that the child has an extra copy of one of these chromosomes, indicating that they may have a genetic disorder.<\/span><\/p>\n

Because the fetal DNA is taken from the mother\u2019s bloodstream, noninvasive prenatal screening can also test both the mother’s DNA from the same sample. So the test may also reveal the mother’s genetic condition.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once the screening is complete, you can expect to receive your results within five to ten days. However, keep in mind that since this is only a test, there is always a chance that false negative or positive results may occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What Does Noninvasive Prenatal Screening Test for?<\/span><\/h2>\n

In the past, healthcare providers tested for prenatal genetic disorders using serum tests. However, this testing method wasn’t nearly as accurate as the modern screening process. With serum testing, <\/span>1 out of 20<\/span><\/a> individuals who received prenatal screening for <\/span>Down Syndrome<\/span><\/a> received a false positive. In contrast, noninvasive prenatal screening test results showed that only <\/span>1 out of 1,000 individuals<\/span><\/a> who were screened for Down Syndrome received a false positive.<\/span><\/p>\n

Noninvasive prenatal screening can test for many different chromosomal abnormalities, including the following:<\/span><\/p>\n