Prenatal Screening and Testing with Dr. Rosenberg
Prenatal tests are a vital part of our care. These screenings allow us to check on your baby’s health and test for certain problems that may be present at birth. These tests provide essential information that can help you understand your risk of certain anomalies so that you can make well-informed decisions throughout your pregnancy.
Types of Prenatal Screenings We Offer
- Cell-Free Fetal DNA Testing: Also known as NIPS (Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening), this screening test checks a pregnant woman’s blood for the fetus’s DNA, looking for increased chances of chromosomal disorders, such as Down Syndrome. This is a simple blood test performed around the tenth week of pregnancy. If this test shows an increased chance of chromosomal anomalies, further tests can be performed.
- Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): A sample of placental tissue is removed for testing to provide information about the baby’s genetic makeup. It is done between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy. Patients consider CVS if they have a positive screening result on another test and want to confirm or rule out a diagnosis, or if they have a family history of a specific genetic condition. This test is also an early way to find out your baby’s gender.
- Quad Screen: Also known as the quadruple marker test, the second-trimester screen or simply the quad test is done between weeks 15 and 18 of pregnancy. The quad screen is used to evaluate whether the pregnancy has an increased chance of being affected by certain conditions, such as Down Syndrome or neural tube defects. If the quad screen indicates an increased chance of one of these conditions, you might consider additional screening or testing.
- Amniocentesis: This test is performed under ultrasound guidance by taking a small sample of amniotic fluid from the uterus. The fluid is tested to determine any signs of fetal infection or genetic conditions. People often consider amniocentesis if they had a positive result of an earlier screening test, a chromosomal or genetic abnormality in a previous pregnancy, have a family history of a specific genetic condition, or have abnormal ultrasound findings.
- Obstetric Ultrasound: Ultrasounds are routinely performed at least once at 18-20 weeks gestation to check the length of the cervix, the baby’s size and position, as well as the baby’s anatomy and developing organs. For high-risk pregnancies, ultrasounds may be performed as often as 1-2 weeks.
