Blood test for Downs, Edwards etc

There are several different kinds of tests, generally speaking people usually opt for NT-scan or NIPT-test. I’ve chosen to do the nipt again this pregnancy as my first pregnancy ended in trisomy 18 which is a chromosomal abnormality where the fetus rarely survives the pregnancy. Its a basic blood test. These chromosomal abnormalities are very unusual but they can happen and had we not opted for a test I could have possibly found out at my 20 week scan instead and that’s an awful time to have to terminate. So my point is, if youre considering testing please consider that it’s not just Down’s syndrome but could be babies that can’t survive outside the womb. But of course it’s completely up to you - I just wish this info was clearer when people are considering getting tested as it’s often presented as a Down’s syndrome test!

It’s just a normal blood test and on the scan they check the measurements and the result from the blood test and the scan will let you know if you’re at high or low risk. If high risk they will offer a further test

Yes I’m opting for it again. It’s normal bloods and the needle through belly is only if your result is ‘high risk’ and you choose further testing ☺️

it’s just a normal blood test from your arm to start with. you will get results back that will tell you if your baby is low risk for the conditions or high risk for them. if it comes back high risk you can have further testing if you want, which may include the needle into the belly

did you get the NIPT test privately?

no, as we’ve had a chromosomal abnormality before it’s included in our general screening, but I believe most people pay for it privately. Can be quite expensive! Can be done from weeks 10+0-15+0 (I think!). And only if you have a singleton pregnancy.

I did for our daughter and have booked to do again. It’s a super simple blood test we did privately that tests for a range of chromosomal abnormalities as well as microdeletions. It gave me peace of mind and also, bonus, we found out it was a girl at 11 weeks.

really sorry that happened to you first time around. X

thank you! It was awful. Waiting for our results now for our nipt test so really nervous again, but statistically it shouldn’t happen again, so trying to hold on to that.