Question 1

My doctor recommended that I have noninvasive prenatal testing in my pregnancy. What is that?

Ester Unterslak · Accepted Answer

Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is an early prenatal screen for Down syndrome and other common chromosomal conditions such as trisomy 13 and 18. The test only involves a simple blood draw from the pregnant mother and can be undertaken from 10 weeks’ gestational age. We know that a baby’s DNA circulates in the mothers blood. This test is a SCREENING test- it is not diagnostic. This means that it may or may not indicate there is a concern, much like an ultrasound. It is recommended that an amniocentesis is done if there is a positive NIPT.

Question 2

My doctor recommended that I have noninvasive prenatal testing in my pregnancy. What is that?

Ester Unterslak · Accepted Answer

Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is an early prenatal screen for Down syndrome and other common chromosomal conditions such as trisomy 13 and 18. The test only involves a simple blood draw from the pregnant mother and can be undertaken from 10 weeks’ gestational age. We know that a baby’s DNA circulates in the mothers blood. This test is a SCREENING test- it is not diagnostic. This means that it may or may not indicate there is a concern, much like an ultrasound. It is recommended that an amniocentesis is done if there is a positive NIPT.