How is noninvasive prenatal testing done?
Noninvasive prenatal testing is an enhanced blood test that examines the fetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream.
Who is noninvasive prenatal testing for?
Currently noninvasive prenatal testing is recommended for women at risk of carrying a baby with a chromosomal abnormality.
Your OB/GYN might suggest noninvasive prenatal testing if:
- You have an advanced maternal age, have given birth to a child with Down syndrome, trisomy 13 or trisomy 18, or a sex chromosome abnormality such as Turner syndrome.
- You carry an X-linked recessive disorder such as Duchenne’s muscular dystrophy or a blood clotting disorder.
- You have an RH-negative blood type. Noninvasive prenatal testing can determine your baby’s Rh factor and if it is compatible with your own Rh factor.
Noninvasive prenatal testing
Noninvasive prenatal testing is a more specific testing than the traditional first or second semester screenings. It might help you avoid other tests that are more invasive.
Discuss with your OB/GYN whether or not you should consider noninvasive prenatal testing and can also help you understand the results and make decisions based on the results.