You are likely in your first trimester of pregnancy if you are looking for information on non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). Firstly, congratulations! See how far you’ve already come while taking a deep breath. While this period is filled with excitement and joy, we are aware that some people may experience anxiety in the early stages of pregnancy, especially if your OB-GYN or midwife starts talking about genetic testing. Every mother bear must decide whether or not to check for anything that could harm her developing cub as life suddenly becomes more serious for them.
On your path to motherhood, you will have to make some difficult choices, and we understand that. Being knowledgeable is one way to feel more assured, in any case. We’ll assist you in understanding what the NIPT Test Procedure is and what it can and cannot tell you so that you’ll be better able to decide what’s right for you.
A Description Of The NIPT Screen:-
Often referred to as the Non-Invasive Prenatal Screen, the NIPT prenatal test. By the tenth week of your pregnancy, your doctor may have discussed with you the possibility of an optional test to determine whether your unborn child is at risk for chromosomal diseases or other genetic abnormalities.
Most frequently, the test identifies the likelihood of developing problems including missing or extra X and Y chromosomes, Down syndrome (genetic material from chromosome 21), Edwards syndrome (extra chromosome 18), and Patau syndrome (extra chromosome 13), among other disorders.
The blood test examines minute fragments of placental cell-free DNA (cfDNA) found in a pregnant woman’s blood. When these cells decompose after dying and release some DNA into the bloodstream, cfDNA is produced.
The NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test, which is crucial to understand. It implies that it cannot diagnose a hereditary disease definitively. Yet, it can indicate if there is a high or low risk of a genetic condition.
How The NIPT Carried Out:-
You and your baby are not in danger during the NIPT because it just requires a quick maternal blood draw. After your blood is extracted, it will deliver to a particular lab, where the Genetic Specialist will examine the results.
During 8 to 14 days, your results will be submitted to the office of your OB-GYN or midwife. A member of the staff of your healthcare provider will usually phone you and offer you advice from there, but each clinic may have a different procedure for doing so.
If you’re keeping your baby’s sex a significant surprise (even to you) until their “birthday,” ask your medical providers to keep this detail of your NIPT results under wraps.
Understanding The Significance Of The NIPT Test Results:-
The NIPT detects the placental-derived fetus cfDNA in the mother’s bloodstream. The term for this is the prenatal fraction. The maternal fraction must be greater than 4% to ensure the most precise test findings. The test is advised after the 10th week of pregnancy because this is when it typically occurs.
Fetal cfDNA can examine in a variety of methods. The most typical procedure is to estimate the quantities of both mother and fetus cfDNA. The test will peek at particular chromosomes to see whether the proportion of cfDNA from each of these chromosomes regards as normal.
It will be “negative” if it is inside the expected range. It implies that the unborn child has a lower probability of developing the genetic disorders brought on by the problematic chromosomes.
A “positive” result means the embryo may have a higher chance of a genetic disorder if the cfDNA level is higher than the normal range. However, rest assured that NIPT is not entirely definitive. Positive results necessitate further testing to rule out any true-positive prenatal chromosomal abnormalities or associated illnesses.
Final Words :-
To determine the genetic likelihood of a fetal chromosomal abnormality, such as Down syndrome, in the first trimester of pregnancy, the NIPT prenatal test provides a dependable tool for elective screening. The test isn’t diagnostic, but it can still be a useful first step in learning more about your baby’s sex and general health.
The NIPT is ultimately up to you, and everyone considering taking it may have emotional effects. See your dependable OB-GYN or midwife for advice and assistance if you have any queries or worries regarding the NIPT screen.