Why is screening needed in the first trimester, when is it carried out and what does it show?

In order to protect the health of the mother and the unborn child, screening is essential during the first trimester of pregnancy. It’s a battery of examinations intended to spot any possible problems or hazards at an early age, providing parents comfort and enabling prompt action if necessary. Usually conducted between weeks 11 and 14 of pregnancy, these screenings allow for close monitoring of important developmental milestones.

The tests conducted at this early stage are mainly focused on looking for chromosomal abnormalities, like Down syndrome, and determining the likelihood of other illnesses that could have an impact on the baby’s development. Blood testing and ultrasounds are typically used in conjunction for the screening process. Specific markers in the mother’s blood are measured by the blood tests, and the nuchal translucency scan, an ultrasound technique, looks for fluid at the back of the baby’s neck.

Making educated decisions about additional diagnostic testing or follow-up care is made easier for physicians and parents when they are aware of the screening results. The idea is to identify possible issues as soon as possible, so that appropriate action can be taken to guarantee the best possible outcome for the pregnancy, should any issues be discovered.

Why is screening needed in the first trimester?	When is it carried out and what does it show?
Screening helps detect early signs of genetic conditions and health issues in the baby.	It is carried out between 11 and 14 weeks and shows the likelihood of Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and other developmental abnormalities.

The essence of the study

Prenatal exams are crucial procedures that have only recently become available in Russia. The Ministry of Health’s experts created it because they were worried about the high rates of maternal and newborn deaths. These indicators frequently rise as a result of different "silent" pathologies that arise during pregnancy in either the mother or the unborn child.

Physicians refer to this process of screening as "sifting." In this instance, every woman who has a pregnancy-related pathology is recognized. But pathological conditions don’t always show up in the first few weeks. Frequently, these diseases only show symptoms during the second trimester of pregnancy.

Instead of using months, doctors use obstetric weeks to determine the term. They split the whole gestational period into multiple equal segments, referred to as trimesters. There are twelve obstetric weeks in a row. During the first trimester of pregnancy, the initial screening is done.

It is significant to remember that the gestational age that prospective mothers calculate does not match the obstetric period.

Typically, they count the first week of the calendar year following the date of conception as the first day of pregnancy. In this instance, 14 calendar weeks are equal to 12 obstetric weeks.

You must dedicate three such research sets to the entire pregnancy. Every trimester, they take place. Every stage of pregnancy has its own set of research studies. This is caused by the developing fetus’s physiology as well as a pregnant woman’s daily fluctuating hormonal background.

A thorough screening study necessitates the passing of ultrasound and the surrender of certain biochemical tests. You can obtain results that are more accurate by combining methods. An obstetrician-gynecologist evaluates the results that have been obtained. The expectant mother will be referred to a geneticist for consultation if the doctor’s examination fails to rule out the possibility that she has a genetic disease.

Timing of the procedure

Typically, the initial screening occurs between weeks 11 and 13 of pregnancy. For medical reasons, the diagnostic complex’s scheduled date may be moved forward by seven to ten days. The obstetrician-gynecologist who oversees the pregnant patient for the duration of her pregnancy must collaborate with the physician to decide when the initial screening should take place.

There is no set length for the initial screening. These diagnostic procedures typically take many days. It could take a few weeks for the biochemical tests and ultrasound to be delivered. This is a common occurrence and a perfectly normal situation. Any modifications to the study dates need to be approved by the attending physician.

This time of pregnancy marks the start of the fetal stage, which is why it was selected. Prior to now, doctors referred to it as embryonic. By the end of the twelfth week of pregnancy, the baby is referred to by doctors as a fetus rather than an embryo.

First trimester screening is essential because it helps detect possible health problems early in pregnancy, which enables prompt interventions and improved planning for the mother and the unborn child. Usually taking place between weeks 11 and 14, this screening consists of blood work and ultrasounds. It can ensure that appropriate care can be given throughout the pregnancy and provide crucial information about the baby’s risk for certain conditions, like Down syndrome.

Who should not miss the study?

Presently, medical professionals advise that every single expectant mother have one of these studies done. By using this preventive medical procedure, you can quickly detect potentially harmful organogenesis-related pathologies in fetuses.

The first 12 weeks of pregnancy are when all of the baby’s internal organs are actively growing and developing. Pathologies can arise as a result of the influence of external factors. They can only be identified by a thorough diagnosis. Concomitant diseases of the mother’s internal genital organs can also be detected at this point.

For expectant mothers who conceived after the age of 35, doctors advise screening during the first trimester. Such a set of studies is also necessary for all expectant mothers who have a family history of chromosomal and genetic disorders.

These pathologies also have a high age-related risk of developing. In this instance, women who became pregnant after 40 years should do the initial screening. It is also important for expectant mothers who frequently experienced spontaneous miscarriages or abrupt pregnancy terminations to not overlook such a diagnostic complex.

Physicians advise screening during the first few weeks of pregnancy for expectant mothers who also have serious concurrent illnesses affecting their internal organs.

Pregnant women with diabetes also require this kind of diagnostic complex. The insulin-dependent variety is the most harmful.

Screening is required if the expectant mother is on glucocorticosteroid or hormonal medication continuously. These medications may negatively impact the fetus’s organogenesis. Pregnancy must be closely watched if the use of these medications cannot be discontinued for the duration of childbearing.

For expectant mothers who already have children with serious or genetic somatic diseases, the initial screening is also required. This series of studies must be completed because of increased genetic risk.

Additionally, pregnant women who abuse alcohol or continue to smoke must undergo first trimester screening. The likelihood of experiencing harmful intrauterine pathologies escalates multiple times in this scenario. If the fetus’s and the expectant mother’s Rh factors differ, you should also get screened.

How to properly prepare?

To get trustworthy test results, preparation is key. Expectant mothers are advised to follow a hypolipidemic diet before undergoing biochemical testing. The use of fried and/or fatty foods is prohibited. All foods high in cholesterol are also off limits. When consumed with food, saturated fats can have unpredictable effects on the bloodstream.

It is recommended to follow a hypolipidemic diet five to ten days prior to the initial screening. The night before you head to the lab, try to eat a light but wholesome, high-calorie dinner. It is preferable for protein-based foods to form the foundation of the diet. You can serve them with any side dish made with cereal.

Two to three days prior to the screening ultrasound, you shouldn’t eat a lot of fruits and vegetables. They may result in serious gas formation. This will make the study much more difficult. Echo negativity is frequently brought on by bloated intestines.

It is preferable not to smoke before visiting the laboratory if the expectant mother smokes while carrying her child. The ingredient in cigarettes called nicotine has the potential to skew the results. Alcohol-containing drinks are also not allowed.

You ought to arrive at the lab empty-handed. Testing first thing in the morning, as soon as you wake up, is what doctors advise. Evening biochemical tests frequently yield inaccurate results. Breakfast should not be eaten before heading to the lab. Dinner is the final meal.

Prior to passing laboratory testing, doctors give the all-clear. Sip on some water. A heavy drinker in the early stages of pregnancy shouldn’t have one before an ultrasound. This may cause the bladder to fill strongly. It may only be necessary to use fluids beforehand when performing transabdominal ultrasound.

Exclusion from the first screening should be based on intense physical activity prior. Future moms should be aware that even routine household tasks can cause results to be distorted when pregnant. Physicians observe that the customary cleaning of the apartment the night before the campaign in the lab can result in erroneous analysis results.

Exclusion of severe psycho-emotional stress prior to the study is also recommended. Not only should prospective mothers not feel anxious or concerned prior to the initial screening, but also throughout the whole gestational period.

Extended periods of stress cause internal organ disruption, which in turn distorts the outcome obtained.

How it goes?

There are various stages to the screening process. A trip to the lab is typically the first one. Tests can be conducted in a private clinic or in a typical women’s clinic.

In the first instance, an obstetrician-gynecologist refers the patient for testing during a consultation. The estimated gestational age and the patient’s personal information are listed on this medical form.

An ultrasound is the next step in the screening process. This study can be conducted in a variety of ways in its early phases. A transvaginal examination is carried out if there are no medical contraindications for the pregnant woman. An specialized ultrasound sensor is used for this, and it is placed inside the vagina.

There are several medical reasons why transvaginal research should not be done, including:

• These include any acute diseases of the internal genital organs in the mother.
• Acute colpitis or vaginitis – reasons for choosing an alternative ultrasound method.

Specifically, transabdominal research. The doctor leads the future mother on the stomach while using a specialized ultrasonic sensor to perform the procedure. In this instance, the image is displayed on a monitor, a unique screen. The future mother and her unborn child can see each other during the study. Such an examination may also include the child’s father.

Ultrasound specialists apply a unique diagnostic gel to improve visualization. Just before the procedure, it is applied to the skin of the "pregnant" stomach. Expectant mothers shouldn’t be alarmed by this gel’s aggressive properties. Its ingredients are entirely hypoallergenic.

The ultrasonography is performed on a dedicated couch. The pregnant woman is laid flat on her back. This position can be used to conduct the examination in the early stages of pregnancy. Turning to the left or right may only be required in cases where the expectant mother has a pathological bend in her uterus.

The woman should definitely bring a towel if the examination is performed in a standard clinic. It must be laid out on the couch.

Bringing unique paper handkerchiefs or napkins is also a good idea. To remove the remaining diagnostic gel from the abdomen, they will be required.

What it shows?

In the initial screening, medical professionals look at a number of significant biochemical markers. Every departure from the standard needs to be evaluated by a gynecologist-obstetrician.

Biochemical markers at this point in pregnancy may differ slightly in cases of twin or triplet pregnancies.

About the rarr-a

The risk of genetic and chromosomal pathologies is evaluated using this particular biochemical marker. Papp-a, or pregnancy-associated plasma protein A, also makes it possible to identify certain illnesses in their relatively early stages of development. The placenta produces this substance during the fetus’s development.

It is necessary to provide this analysis to future moms whose child was conceived after 35 years. Women who have been diagnosed with HIV infection or parenteral hepatitis B and C should also participate in this kind of research.

The gestational age has a significant impact on this indicator’s normal values. The range for this criterion is 0.7–4.76 honey/ml for a 12-week pregnancy. The indicator’s norm for the following week is 1.03-6 honey/ml.

Should the values during this stage of pregnancy be considerably below average, this could suggest the existence of a genetic disorder.

The doctor will undoubtedly refer the expectant mother for further testing in this case.

About chorionic gonadotropin

This substance’s unique b-fraction is found during the investigation. Another name for this hormone is hCG. The concentration of this substance varies over the course of pregnancy. It reaches its peak in the initial weeks. Gonadotropin levels sharply drop in the final hours before childbirth.

Following conception, or the fusion of the egg and sperm, gonadotropin levels rise fairly sharply. In this instance, the first hCG portions are produced by the chorion almost immediately after the onset of pregnancy.

This substance’s blood concentration rises noticeably in multiple pregnancies and in certain pathological circumstances.

This indicator stabilizes and essentially stops rising in the second trimester. This state of affairs continues until childbirth. It is physiological for the concentration of hCG to decrease in the final trimester of pregnancy. This is essential for giving birth naturally.

Doctors have made a special table that they entered normal hCG levels into for ease of use. Gynecologists and obstetricians use it in their daily practice. The table that follows lists the typical gonadotropin levels at the time of the initial screening:

Age at gestation (in obstetric weeks)

HCG levels

About ultrasound

Without ultrasound, the first screening is unimaginable. Physicians have established a number of standards for evaluating intrauterine growth. They vary with each trimester of pregnancy.

Pregnancy begins relatively early, during the first few weeks. Technical errors and mistakes are occurring quite frequently right now.

An expert ultrasound specialist can even ascertain the child’s gender during the initial screening. You can see the future boy or girl quite clearly if they stay in line with the ultrasonic sensor.

Before the 12th week of pregnancy, it is nearly impossible to ascertain the sex of the unborn child. This situation has a very high error risk.

About the coccygeal-parietal size

A crucial factor in determining the fetus’s intrauterine development is the coccygeal-parietal size (CTE). This criterion must be compared to the gestational age and the baby’s weight. There is a pattern: the coccygeal-parietal size increases with fetal age.

The following are the typical CTE values during the initial screening:

• at the 10th week – 24-38 mm;
• at the 11th week – 34-50 mm;
• at the 12th week – 42-59 mm;
• at the 13th week – 51-75 mm.

If this indicator is out of the ordinary, expectant mothers start to worry a lot. You don’t need to freak out. It’s possible that minor variations in this indicator don’t mean that there is pathology present. A tiny baby may have a small CTE. This characteristic is particularly common in infants whose parents are also small-framed.

About biparietal size

The linear distance between the two parietal bones is measured in order to compute this indicator. This parameter is also known by doctors as "head size." By analyzing the ultrasound’s deviations from the norm, you can detect potentially dangerous fetal pathologies, some of which may even result in the pregnancy ending on its own.

This indicator is 13–21 mm at 11 weeks of the fetus’s intrauterine development. It changes to 18–24 mm by 12 weeks. This indicator is already 20–28 mm after a week. Any departure from the norm could indicate the emergence of a pathology.

An excessively large fetal head combined with the mother’s narrow pelvis may warrant a cesarean section. However, surgical intervention is only determined to be necessary during the third trimester of pregnancy.

The doctors advise you to have two additional diagnostic tests in this case.

About the thickness of the collar space

This indicator is also known by doctors as the cervical fold size. It is a rounded formation in appearance. It is situated between the fetus’s neck and the top of the skin fold. It fills with fluid. Because the cervical fold is easily visible during the first trimester of pregnancy, this study is conducted during that time.

Gradually, the collar space becomes thinner. It is practically impossible to see this formation by the sixteenth week of pregnancy. Between 0.8 and 2.2 mm are normal values at the 12th obstetric week of intrauterine development. This value is already between 0.7 and 2.5 mm after a week.

Usually, trisomy manifests as a change in this indicator. Numerous genetic pathologies manifest these dangerous pathologies.

Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome, Down syndrome, and Edwards and Patau syndrome can all be manifested by this. When a third "extra" chromosome enters the genetic set in place of a binary set of chromosomes, the condition known as trisomy results.

About the nasal bone

For the first screening’s ultrasound diagnostics, this bone formation is a crucial criterion. The nasal bone is long and elongated, forming a quadrangular shape. This formation is paired. The physician has to take this bone element’s length during the study. The size of the nasal bone at 12–13 weeks of intrauterine development is 3.1–4.2 mm.

The absence of this bone element in the infant could be a sign of a chromosomal or genetic disorder. One more effect of illnesses is a reduction in the length of the nasal bone.

An experienced ultrasonographer can only identify the presence or absence of this bone element at 10–11 weeks.

About the heart rate

This crucial parameter is ascertained during the initial screening as well as every subsequent week of pregnancy. A heart rate that is abnormal suggests problems within the fetus’s body. Significant variations in this indicator can also be observed in placental insufficiency, a very dangerous pathology.

Researchers have discovered that the third week following conception is when the fetal heart muscle starts to contract. This indicator can be identified as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. A correlation between the fetus’s and its mother’s heart rates is required for an accurate evaluation of this indicator.

The normal range for this indicator at the tenth week of pregnancy is 160–179 beats per minute. In the eleventh week, 153–178. This indicator changes to 150-174 beats per minute by the 12th week of pregnancy.

The fetus’s heart rate rises by three beats per day during the first four to six weeks of its intrauterine development. This indicator is precisely identified with the use of ultrasonic measurement instruments. Ultrasound specialists utilize a unique method of heart examination known as a four-chamber scan for this study. It enables you to look into the ventricles and atria.

It might be necessary to perform a Doppler ultrasound if the screening ultrasound revealed any abnormalities. It is useful in locating irregular blood flows on the heart valves.

Such regurgitation could be a sign that a potentially fatal cardiac defect is developing. After the baby is born, a surgical cardiac operation might be necessary to fix the anomalies that have developed in this case.

The size of the brain is a crucial research parameter. Physicians are not yet able to evaluate every intracerebral structure at this stage of intrauterine development. Their structural symmetry denotes a typical stage of brain development.

Skilled ultrasonographers also identify the chorion’s location and anatomical characteristics.

An extremely significant indicator is the evaluation of the cervix’s structure. Doctors assess the size and anatomical characteristics of the expectant mother’s internal genital organs during an ultrasound examination.

One of the most significant indicators that is examined during the initial screening is the assessment of uterine blood flow. Any pathologies identified at this point are critical to the prediction of how pregnancy will develop in the future. A major consequence that can arise from a reduction in uterine blood flow is the development of fetal hypoxia.

Elevated uterine tone, which is highly unfavorable. Doctors typically offer the prospective mother to be admitted to the hospital "to preserve" if they notice this sign during pregnancy. She will receive the required care there, which will help her placental blood flow return to normal and help her lose her hypertonicity.

About MOM

Doctors use a specific indicator called Multiple of Median, or MOM, to identify genetic pathologies in fetuses. It is computed with the aid of a unique computer program.

The computation necessitates the introduction of the future mother’s initial indicators in addition to the findings of the ultrasound research that was carried out.

Indicators between 0.5 and 2.5 are regarded by doctors as normal. Doctors also consider the pregnant woman’s race, other relevant factors, and a number of concurrent diseases in order to correctly interpret the obtained indicator. A genetic or chromosomal pathology manifests as deviations from the norm.

Genetic screening

The expectant mother is compelled to be referred for a consultation with a geneticist if, following screening, medical professionals find any indications of genetic diseases in the unborn child.

Women who visit this doctor will also benefit if they have close relatives who suffer from any chromosomal diseases. A family geneticist should be consulted if there is a burdened anamnesis for different congenital pathologies.

For instance, the statement "the risk of developing the disease of the Down in the baby is 1: 380" implies that only one child out of every 380 healthy births will have this congenital condition.

Gynecologists and obstetricians identify a number of high-risk groups. Women who fit this description need to be referred for consultation to a geneticist. Experts believe that there is a high chance of pathology developing in the ratio of 1:250–1:380.

Physicians recognize a number of the most prevalent chromosomal disorders, which frequently manifest in the first trimester of pregnancy:

• Patau syndrome is one of these diseases. It is characterized by trisomy of the 13th pair of chromosomes.
• An additional 3rd chromosome in the 21st pair leads to the development of Down syndrome. In this case, the baby"s genetic set has 47 chromosomes instead of 46.
• The loss of one of the chromosomes in the baby"s karyotype leads to the development of a very dangerous genetic disease – Shereshevsky-Turner syndrome. This pathology is manifested by a pronounced lag of a sick child in physical and mental development from his healthy peers.
• The presence of an additional third chromosome of 18 pair is a sign of Edwards syndrome. This pathology is extremely unfavorable. It is usually combined with the formation of many different congenital disorders and malformations. In some cases, such an innate disease can be incompatible with life.

Rarely do children with Patau or Edwards syndrome survive for a full year. Children with Down syndrome have much longer lifespans. But these babies’ quality of life is severely compromised.

Parents who have "special" children need to give them careful attention and never stop.

Every country performs genetic screening. In this instance, distinction is limited to the list of biochemical analyses that are part of the biochemical examination. It is important to note right away that different countries have different testimonies regarding pregnancy terminations. The best socialization of individuals with genetic syndromes overseas is largely to blame for this state of affairs.

Genetic illnesses are extremely harmful conditions. A diagnosis of this kind is not solely determined by the screening’s outcomes. A geneticist might advise a pregnant woman to undergo additional testing in order to clarify chromosomal pathologies. A few of them are encroaching.

Often, a chorionic biopsy is done to obtain a genomic set of the fetus. There are instances where the amniotic sac needs to be punctured. Another name for this research is amniocentesis. Amniotic fluid is extracted for analysis by specialists as part of this diagnostic process.

An invasive investigation called a placenta biopsy is required to rule out several concomitant diseases of the fetal membranes. Doctors puncture a pregnant woman’s skin with special needles in order to perform this examination. A secondary infection could occur after such a procedure. Only strict medical indications should be used for this study in order to rule out conditions that could endanger the fetus’ life.

Additionally, doctors can detect a variety of pathologies in the baby with the aid of cordocentesis. This is being studied with umbilical cord blood. Such a procedure may take place at a different time. It’s common to view the necessity of such an invasive examination as collaborative.

Many medical professionals think that aging is a direct factor in the development of genetic diseases.

Women who choose to become pregnant after 40 years should give their decision careful thought. Physicians frequently advise patients to consult a geneticist, even when they are in the planning stages of pregnancy.

The expecting mother must be informed by the doctor if, during the screening, he discovers indications of serious hereditary diseases. Diseases that are incompatible with life are unquestionably cause to end a pregnancy. The woman still has the last say in this matter.

Decoding of results

A single test or ultrasound cannot be interpreted. In order to determine a diagnosis, a thorough evaluation of every test obtained as well as the ultrasound examination’s conclusion are necessary. The obstetrician-gynecologist monitoring the expectant mother interprets the findings. Perhaps a medical consultation is necessary in complex clinical cases.

A reduction in PAPP-A blood concentration is another feature of Edwards syndrome. Furthermore, a deviation in chorionic gonadotropin levels from the norm characterizes this pathology. Babies are affected by this disease at a frequency of 1 in 8000. It can be challenging to find combined congenital anomalies of the internal organs during the initial screening. During the second and third screenings, they are already identified in the fetus.

At the earliest stages of a fetus’s formation, doctors can identify a variety of pathological conditions thanks to the primary indicators of an ultrasound scan. Therefore, an increase in biparietal size may indicate the onset of a growing tumor or a developing brain herniation. These diseases are typically regarded as being incompatible with life and are signs that a pregnancy should be terminated.

Increased biparietal size is another sign of hydrocephalus, or large brain in fetus. Dynamics needs to be examined in order to diagnose this pathological state. In order to achieve this, physicians recommend multiple follow-up ultrasounds, which must be performed in the ensuing trimesters of pregnancy. Unfavorable dynamics in this state’s development may necessitate an immediate prescription for medication treatment and pregnancy termination.

In the initial screening, skilled professionals are also able to detect a variety of structural abnormalities in the neural tube. This pathological condition is known by doctors as meningoencephalocele. One extremely uncommon genetic disease that is incompatible with life is Corne de Langa Syndrome.

Another serious congenital malformation that is accompanied by several internal organ disorders is the umbilical hernia. They land in the region of the fetus’s anterior abdominal wall in this condition. This pathology is incredibly detrimental.

Biochemical analysis deviations from normal values are critical indicators of the onset of genetic diseases. A reduction in PAPP-A is a common sign in people with Down syndrome. This pathology, identified at this point in the fetus’s intrauterine development, may serve as a clear indicator of an unplanned miscarriage or abortion.

One of the serious hereditary illnesses that can be suspected during the initial screening is Smith-Opitz syndrome. Strong mutations in the genetic machinery are the cause of it. This pathology is typified by a combination of nervous system pathologies, orthopedic disorders, and disorders of cholesterol synthesis. This illness has a 1 in 25,000 chance of occurring. It is not very common.

An additional effect of the developing pathologies in the fetus’s body is an increase in gonadotropin. Certain illnesses that affect the expectant mother during her pregnancy may also be the cause of elevated hCG. Gonadotropin levels are typically elevated in cases of severe toxicosis and diabetes mellitus.

Reduced hCG frequently indicates a pregnancy that is progressing abnormally. Placental insufficiency may also lead to the development of this condition. The pathology may cause severe hypoxia in the fetus. Physicians use a specialized program called PRISCA to evaluate a patient’s risk of developing a variety of diseases.

The doctor doing this study gives the expectant mother a diagnosis following such a computer diagnosis. It displays every pathology that has been found as well as the likelihood of acquiring genetic illnesses.

What can affect the results?

The results of biochemical tests may yield different indicators if extracurporeal fertilization was the cause of the pregnancy. The results in this instance need to be interpreted extremely carefully:

• Diagnostics are performed for each of the babies. Human chorionic gonadotropin may exceed normal values ​​by 20%, and PAPP-A, as a rule, decreases.
• Excessive excess weight in the expectant mother is another factor that can lead to a distortion of the results obtained. In this condition, all the hormones studied increase. If the expectant mother has signs of a body weight deficit, then in this case, on the contrary, the concentrations of biologically active substances decrease significantly.
• Multiple pregnancy is a reason for a more careful interpretation of the results. In this case, hCG increases significantly. The level of PAPP-A may remain within the normal range. Isolated assessment of biochemical markers without ultrasound during pregnancy with twins or triplets should never be carried out.
• The uncontrolled course of diabetes leads to a violation of metabolic processes. Ultimately, this can lead to deviations from normal values ​​in biochemical tests.

One crucial step in keeping an eye on your unborn child’s health and development early in your pregnancy is screening in the first trimester. It enables better care and planning when necessary by assisting medical professionals in identifying possible genetic disorders or physical anomalies. This test, which typically takes place between weeks 11 and 14, combines a blood test with an ultrasound to obtain vital data.

The screening results can shed light on the likelihood of developing diseases like Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and other chromosomal abnormalities. Although screening cannot diagnose a condition, it can determine whether additional testing is necessary to understand the results. It’s a useful tool for providing parents and doctors with peace of mind.

Although the decision to get screened is ultimately your own, being aware of the advantages can help you make an educated one. It can provide early comfort regarding your infant’s health or set you up for further action in the event that any worries materialize. Make sure you understand everything about the procedure and possible consequences by speaking with your healthcare provider.

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