Prenatal checks
Prenatal screening
You can choose to have your unborn child examined for a number of conditions.
This examination is called prenatal screening.
There are three tests:
– NIPT test (blood test)
– 13-week ultrasound
– 20-week ultrasound
These tests are not mandatory. You decide for yourself whether you want them.
During the intake appointment, this topic will be discussed in detail. We will go over the different options with you. You ultimately make your own choice.
NIPT
You can choose the NIPT if you want to know during pregnancy whether your child has a chromosomal abnormality. This blood test can be performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy. If the blood test shows that the child may have a chromosomal abnormality, follow-up testing is needed to determine with certainty whether the child does or does not have the condition.
13-week ultrasound
With an ultrasound around 13 weeks of pregnancy, it is possible to examine whether your child has a physical abnormality.
During the 13-week ultrasound, the sonographer may sometimes see an abnormality that can (also) occur in a child with a chromosomal abnormality (or another genetic condition). It is important to know that not all serious chromosomal abnormalities are associated with abnormalities that can be seen on a 13-week ultrasound. If you want to find out whether your child has Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Patau syndrome, choose the NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test).
At around 13 weeks, the baby is smaller and less developed than at 20 weeks. Many abnormalities cannot yet be seen, but some—often severe—abnormalities can. These can be so serious that the baby may pass away during or shortly after pregnancy.
The sonographer cannot see everything. If no abnormalities are detected, this is not a guarantee that the child is healthy. If an abnormality (or suspected abnormality) is found, you will be referred to a center for prenatal diagnostics. In our region, these are MMC (Veldhoven) or MUMC (Maastricht).
IMITAS study
The scientific IMITAS study examines, among other things, how often a physical abnormality is detected during the 13-week ultrasound and what types of abnormalities these are. If you choose to have the 13-week ultrasound, you will automatically participate in the IMITAS study. For this, you must sign a consent form at our practice.
20-week ultrasound
As with the 13-week ultrasound, an ultrasound around 20 weeks of pregnancy can be used to check whether your child has a physical abnormality. At 20 weeks, the baby is much larger, allowing for a more detailed examination.
The sonographer examines the baby from head to toe, as well as the amount of amniotic fluid, any placental details, and whether the baby is growing well.
The sonographer cannot see everything. If no abnormalities are visible, this is not a guarantee that the child is healthy.
Practical information
– We ask that you do not bring children to the 13- and 20-week ultrasounds;
– The 13-week ultrasound takes approximately 35 minutes;
– The 20-week ultrasound takes approximately 45 minutes;
– A specially trained sonographer performs the ultrasound at our practice;
– Both the 13- and 20-week ultrasounds are covered by your health insurance. You do not have to pay anything yourself.
For more information about prenatal screening, please visit: www.pns.nl
