Prenatal Testing
- NIPS(Non- Invasive prenatal screening – New blood test with 99% sensitivity for screening Down’s Syndrome without risk of miscarriage.
- CVS ( Chorionic villus sampling ) – A small needle is inserted under ultrasound guidance into maternal abdomen with patient conscious and under local aneasthesia and placenta sample is taken .It can be done at 11- 14 weeks when there is abnormal blood test,NIPS ,increased NT ,history of genetic abnormalities.
- Amniocentesis – A small needle is inserted under ultrasound guidance into maternal abdomen with patient conscious and under ultrasound guidance and fluid around the baby is taken for testing .It is done after 16 weeks of pregnancy when there is abnormal blood test or NIPS ,increased NT ,increased maternal age ,fetal abnormalities or genetic abnormalities.
- Fetal reduction is a procedure done to reduce higher order multiple like triplets ,quadruplets to twins or when one of the babies have abnormality to save the other baby .When there are more than 2 babies there is high risk for both the mother and babies such as high blood pressure ,preterm delivery etc .
In fetal reduction under ultrasound guidance potassium chloride is injected into baby’s heart to stop it .Though it is painful for any doctor to take life it is done in the interest of the mother and babies to prevent long term complications. - Genetic tests – Carrier screening are special tests available prior to pregnancy or in early pregnancy for diagnosis of certain genetic diseases .When there is a family history of genetic diseases ,previous baby with genetic abnormalities genetic counseling is advised preferably before planning pregnancy.