PATIENT
INFO
Please keep in mind that a series of excellent tests can never guarantee 100 % that your baby will be perfectly formed and healthy when born as many significant conditions are simply not detectable before your baby is born. Some small risk is therefore always going to remain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to use Paracetamol during pregnancy?
What is the importance of a first-trimester screening examination?
During the consultation we not only evaluate markers for chromosomal abnormalities, but screen for major structural abnormalities as well.
courtesy of Renato Ximenes
What is the importance of the first-trimester combined screening for chromosomal abnormalities?
“This method of screening reduces the number of women requiring an invasive test from about 20 % to less than 3 %. At the same time increasing the detection rate of Down’s syndrome and other major chromosomal abnormalities from less than 50 % to more than 95 %.” Nicolaides, FMF London
Will the examination involve a needle?
The initial appointment is to screen for patients at risk for chromosomal abnormalities. In the case where a patient screens high risk they will be offered further testing in the form of non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) and invasive testing (CVS/amniocentesis). Non-invasive prenatal screening involves a blood draw and invasive testing involves placing a needle into the womb drawing of the placental DNA early in pregnancy or amniotic fluid after 16 weeks. Once the patient decides and consents to further testing another appointment will be scheduled for the procedure to take place.
What do I need to bring with to the examination?
Please bring along your referral letter, co-payment (if applicable) and first-trimester report if done by another health care professional (sonographer, sonologist, gynaecologist or fetal medicine specialist).
What is the importance of a second trimester detailed anatomy scan?
During embryology spontaneous faults can arise in the development of your baby. The purpose of the examination is to evaluate the fetus for structural abnormalities so that if need be one can be prepared for once the baby is born or opt for further testing a) if one would consider termination or b) for peace of mind.
I do not have a family history of abnormalities. Do I still need to do a scan?
The truth is that every woman, regardless of age, has a small risk of having a child with physical or mental disability and therefore it is important to undergo specialised ultrasound examinations during pregnancy.
Which prenatal test are available during pregnancy?
Additional Patient Information
These information leaflets are made available courtesy of ISUOG, though in itself accurate, may not be applicable to you and your pregnancy. Our recommendation is that you contact your obstetrician/midwife who will refer you to a fetal medicine specialist, geneticist or genetic counsellor who can give you valuable information on the condition that may affect your baby.
Always treat information on websites as sources of questions, not answers.