NON-INVASIVE GENETIC SCREENING WITH EARLY GENDER REVEAL

Amabella Birth Center uses Natera Laboratory to send the in office collection of the sample. Please see the links below for further information:

PANORAMA Noninvasive prenatal testing

HORIZON Comprehensive, actionable carrier screening

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a screening test that can be done during pregnancy to assess the risk of the baby having certain chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome. NIPT is a blood test that analyzes cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) in the mother's bloodstream. cffDNA is DNA that has been shed from the placenta into the mother's bloodstream.

NIPT is considered to be a safe and accurate test. It is more accurate than traditional screening tests, such as the quad screen, and it does not carry any risk of miscarriage. However, it is important to note that NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. This means that it can only give an estimate of the risk of the baby having a chromosomal abnormality. If the results of the NIPT test are positive, further testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis.

NIPT can be done as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy, but it is most accurate between 11 and 14 weeks. The test is typically covered by insurance, but it is important to check with your insurance provider to see if they cover NIPT.

Here are some of the benefits of NIPT:

● It is a safe and accurate test.

● It is noninvasive, meaning it does not pose any risk to your baby.

● It can be done early in pregnancy, which can give parents more time to make decisions about their pregnancy.

Here are some of the limitations of NIPT:

● It is a screening test, not a diagnostic test.

● It cannot detect all chromosomal abnormalities.

● The results of the test may be inconclusive.

If you are considering NIPT, talk to your midwife about the benefits and limitations of the test. They can help you decide if NIPT is right for you.