Prenatal Screening Tests

Prenatal screening tests are available to identify pregnancies at risk of chromosomal abnormalities, such as:

• Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)
• Trisomy 18 and neural tube defects.

This will be discussed with you at your initial appointment with Dr Shalini Dewan. It is important that you choose the test most suitable to your circumstances. You can also choose not to have any prenatal testing. 

These tests are only 'screen' tests. If these indicate a high result further testing will be required: ex chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis. These tests will give a definitive answer but are invasive and carry a risk to the pregnancy. 

First trimester combined screening

• Blood test 9-13 weeks (preferably 10-11 weeks)
• USG (nuchal translucency) at 11-13 weeks

Second Trimester Maternal Serum Screening – quadruple test

• Blood test 14-20 weeks (preferably 15-17 )
   
• NIPT – This is a non-invasive highly accurate screening test. This involves a simple blood test anytime after 10th week of pregnancy.
  
  This test can detect conditions like Trisomy 21, 18 and 13 along with sex chromosome abnormalities.
  
  You can choose to know the sex of the baby with this test.

If you would like more information on prenatal screening tests or to make an appointment please contact Dr Shalini Dewan on 03 9802 3497