Prenatal screening

Prenatal screening

Prenatal screening: what is it and why is it important?

You can be tested during pregnancy to see if the baby in your belly has a disorder or physical abnormality. We call this prenatal screening. These tests are not mandatory; you can choose whether you want to have these tests done.

There are two types of screening:

  1. Research on Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome
  2. Examination for physical abnormalities

We would like to inform you about the possibilities of prenatal screening. Did you mention during your first visit that you would like to know more about prenatal screening? Then you will get a detailed conversation about this.  

First trimester examinations:

The NIPT

The NIPT: The NIPT is a blood test done on the pregnant woman. The pregnant woman's blood also contains a small amount of hereditary material (DNA) from the placenta (placenta). This DNA is almost always the same as that of the child. The laboratory can thus examine whether there are any indications that the child has Down, Edwards or Patau syndrome.

NIPT does not provide a result that is 100% reliable. NIPT does not carry any risks to the pregnancy. If the NIPT shows an indication that the baby has one of the syndromes, you can choose to have a chorionic villus test or an amniocentesis. If you choose to have NIPT, you will be given the choice of having side findings evaluated. You can choose from two options:

  • You only want the baby screened for Down, Edwards and Patau syndrome. Therefore, the laboratory does not know if there are any side findings.
  • You want to have the baby screened for Down, Edwards and Patau syndrome AND you also want to know if the lab found any side findings.

Read more about what side findings mean here: information about side findings.

The 13 weeks ultrasound

The 13 weeks ultrasound is done along with the 20 weeks ultrasound to detect physical abnormalities in the unborn child. Some, often serious physical abnormalities, are already visible around this time.

The 13-week ultrasound is part of a nationwide scientific study. This ultrasound , like the 20 weeks ultrasound, falls under prenatal screening. Expectant parents choose for themselves, with guidance from the obstetric care provider, whether they want to have the ultrasound done. Our - specially trained - ultrasound technicians perform this ultrasound .

If the ultrasound technician suspects a physical abnormality in the unborn child, you will be offered follow-up testing. You can only get the 13 weeks ultrasound if you participate in the scientific study and give permission for your data to be used. This data will be used to determine the pros and cons of the 13 weeks ultrasound.

Discovering physical abnormalities early in pregnancy can be an advantage, but it can also lead to more anxiety and uncertainty. Imaging is often better if the ultrasound is done vaginally; the ultrasound technician will discuss this with you when this is her recommendation. There is no charge for the 13 weeks ultrasound .

Examinations during the second trimester

The 20 weeks ultrasound

The main purpose of the 20 weeks ultrasound is to examine whether the baby has spina bifida or open skull. It also takes a detailed look at the development of the baby's organs. In the process, other physical abnormalities may be seen. Furthermore, it is checked whether the baby is growing and whether there is sufficient amniotic fluid.

This examination is done at 19 weeks of pregnancy. Participation in this examination is not mandatory; the cost is covered by insurance.

Abnormalities that are often easy to see:

  • open back,
  • open skull,
  • rupture or hole in the abdominal wall,
  • rupture or hole in the diaphragm,
  • clubfoot,
  • lip gap,
  • Absence or abnormality of the kidneys,
  • abnormalities of the arms or legs,
  • abnormal development of the bones and
  • heart defects.

The 20-week ultrasound is a fairly reliable method of detecting serious birth defects. Still, this test is no guarantee of a healthy baby. Not all disorders can be seen on the ultrasound. If a physical abnormality is found in your unborn child, the consequences for the child are not always clear.

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