Prenatal screening

NIPT, 13- and 20-week ultrasound

To know more about the health of your child in time, there is prenatal screening, or
prenatal testing. We will tell you more about this at our practice if you wish. After that,
you decide for yourself whether you want to be tested.

Want to know more? Here are two brochures with more information about prenatal testing. Both brochures are
also available in English, Turkish, Arabic and Polish via the RIVM website. See for the
NIPT and here for the 13 and 20-week ultrasound

The NIPT

The NIPT is a screening test without risk for mother or child. NIPT stands for
Non-Invasive Prenatal Test and it
examines the mother’s blood. The blood is examined for the placental cells
where the chromosomes (DNA) of mother and child are located together. These cells
can provide indications of Down’s, Patau’s or Edward’s syndrome in the baby. The
result is 99.9% reliable, but if the NIPT result is not good, the
reliability is lower. In this case, not good means that the test has found an
indication of an increased risk of a chromosomal abnormality. In order to be certain, further testing is required. This
follow-up testing can then, if desired, be the chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis.

How the NIPT works

During your first appointment in our practice, we will also discuss the NIPT. You decide whether you want to be informed about this and if so, you decide after all the information whether you also want to participate in the NIPT. If you want, we can perform the NIPT after the term scan. This can be done at our practice.

The NIPT is possible from 10 weeks of pregnancy. The blood is taken at our practice, we often try to combine this appointment with your term scan. We receive the results within 10 working days on average, we will call you directly. If the results show an increased risk, there are indications of an abnormality in the baby. In that case, we will discuss the options for follow-up tests with you and, if you want, we will refer you for this.

Would you like to discuss the options for prenatal screening with your midwife? Then that is possible, of course, we are here for you. Make an appointment quickly and we will gladly discuss everything with you.

On the website www.pns.nl you will find a useful video that provides more explanation and can help you with your choice. Click here

13-week ultrasound (ETSEO)

You can have the 13-week ultrasound between 12.3 and 14.3 weeks. This is a new prenatal
screening ultrasound that can detect any physical abnormalities at an earlier stage. It is important to know that not everything can be observed and that not everything
that is seen will actually turn out to be an abnormality. This ultrasound is a supplement to the 20-week ultrasound, and not a replacement. The ultrasound is voluntary and part of a national
scientific study (IMITAS study). Because the ultrasound is part of scientific
research, you must also sign a consent form prior to the ultrasound examination. There
are no costs involved. More information about the 13-week ultrasound can be found at
https://www.pns.nl/en/multiple-languages/english/nipt-and-13-and-20-week-scans.

20-week ultrasound (SEO)

The 20-week ultrasound is a screening ultrasound that examines visible physical
abnormalities of your child. You decide whether you want this examination. If you want, you can also find out the gender with
this ultrasound. The 20-week ultrasound is included in the basic package and is therefore
reimbursed by your health insurer. More information about the 20-week ultrasound can be found at
www.pns.nl/20-wekenecho.

Read the brochure about the 13 and 20-week ultrasound here
Would you like more information about prenatal tests? Make an appointment with us!