• to be able to describe (in terms of 'what, when & why') the techniques of screening and testing available during the prenatal period: ultrasound, combined test, chorionic villus sampling, and amniocentesis

screening is offered to all pregnant woman

SCREENING FOR GESTATIONAL DIABETIES IN THE MOTHER SHOULD ALWAYS BE CONSIDERED!

ultrasound screening occurs twice normally

once at the 12wks mark and again at the 20wks mark

Dating scan = conducted at 12 weeks, it is used to check for the exact week of pregnancy, viability of fetus, number of fetuses (eg twins), Nuchal translucency (NT testing for downsyndorme) and Neural tube defect testing.

Anomaly scan = conducted at 20 weeks, it is used to check for physical abnormalities (eg spina bifida, placental position)

if screening tests come back as positive diagnosis screening can take place and is usally the next step, it involves Amniocentesis or CVS – to see if fetus is affected.

in worries about trisomy an additional blood screening test can be conducted known as

Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)