Prenatal testing can bring up all sorts of questions. You might be wondering everything from which tests you need to how to cope with the anxiety around results.
Not to worry. We’ve got you.
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What is prenatal testing?
Prenatal testing can identify the fetus’s sex, detect abnormalities, and reveal important information about you and your baby’s health.
Some prenatal tests are routine, while others are only done under special circumstances.
Are there different kinds?
There are two main types of tests:
Screening tests
These are done during the first two trimesters and can tell you whether the fetus is at risk for certain birth defects.
Diagnostic tests
These help a doctor make a diagnosis. When a screening test shows a risk for abnormalities, a diagnostic test comes next.
What screening tests are there?
There are a bunch of them, but these are the key ones:
Prenatal screen test
A first trimester blood test to identify any risk of fetal anomalies.
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
A blood test for chromosomal abnormalities.
Nuchal translucency scan
An ultrasound measuring the fetus’s neck folds to determine the risk for Down syndrome.
Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
A sample of placenta cells to test for chromosomal abnormalities.
Glucose tolerance test
A screening for gestational diabetes that involves downing a sugary beverage.
Are these tests required?
Everyone is offered prenatal testing, but it’s your choice whether you want to have any testing done.
Some folks decide against some or all testing when it won’t influence their prenatal decision making.
What are the risks?
There’s some risk of a false positive, where a test incorrectly detects abnormalities.
Some invasive diagnostic tests carry a small risk of miscarriage. For example, with amniocentesis, which is used to diagnose Down syndrome and spina bifida, miscarriage happens in roughly one in 900 cases.
There’s also a risk of infection or bleeding.
What are the benefits?
Lots of folks want to know if their fetus carries a high risk for a genetic disorder.
The results can influence choices around ending a pregnancy or help folks prepare for any special medical care that their baby might need after birth.
How do I cope?
If you’re feeling anxious about testing, a few quick tips for your appointment:
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Think about what kind of support you’d like from your community. Do you want to bring along a friend or partner?
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Put together a playlist that’ll help you feel more relaxed in your doctor’s waiting room.
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Grab your favorite essential oil and take deep breaths of it before your appointment.
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In the waiting room, mentally scan your body and note any physical symptoms of anxiety. Is your heart beating faster? Are your muscles tense? Are you short of breath?
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A sensory tool, like a fidget toy or a stress ball, can help to ground you if you’re feeling overwhelmed.
Conversation Starters:
A few things you might say to your doctor:
“I’m feeling anxious about all of these tests. Can we spend some time talking about which of them I need to take?”
“Can I spread the tests out so I do them more gradually and feel less overwhelmed?”
“What are my choices for getting the results? I’d like to get them by phone with my partner close by.”
A few things you might say to your partner:
“Can we look at the testing timetable together? I’m starting to feel really overwhelmed.”
“All these tests are making me anxious. Can we talk about which ones we think are vital?”
“I think it’d be a good idea to talk to my doctor about which tests are necessary for me. But I’m nervous about that conversation. Can you be there with me when I ask?”
Takeaways:
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Prenatal testing can identify the fetus’s sex, detect abnormalities, and reveal important information about you and your baby’s health.
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There are two main types of tests: screening and diagnostic ones.
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There are a bunch of different screening tests, but the big ones are: the prenatal screen test, non-invasive prenatal testing, the nuchal translucency scan, chorionic villus sampling, and the glucose tolerance test.
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Everyone is offered prenatal testing, but it’s your choice whether you want to have any testing done.
-
Some invasive diagnostic tests carry a small risk of miscarriage. With amniocentesis, it happens in roughly one in 900 cases.
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To cope with test anxiety, try whatever soothing measures sound best to you, whether it’s calling on a friend or using aromatherapy.
Resources:
Prenatal genetic testing chart. ACOG. (n.d.-b). https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/prenatal-genetic-testing-chart
