In the last 20 years, there has been a significant rise in prenatal testing, especially genetic testing, since it helps parents prepare better for a specially-abled child. During their first and second trimesters of pregnancy, women have the opportunity to know and learn about the health of their unborn child.
As per the Centers for Disease Control or CDC, 3% of babies in the United States are born with a birth defect. Prenatal genetic testing helps detect the chances of the presence of any conditions that can cause damage or premature death.
In Genetic testing, medical practitioners measure the levels of substances or markers in the mother’s blood and perform an ultrasound. The process is tailored to be easy and relatively painless to detect Down Syndrome or some other condition caused by a chromosomal problem, such as cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs disease, or sickle cell anaemia.
Types and Risks of Prenatal Testing
Prenatal diagnostic testing and screening have a few risks for the mother and baby, which is why parents need to understand the full picture to make informed and rational decisions. Fortunately, the most common prenatal tests involving sonograms and blood tests are mostly risk-free.
Ultrasound
USG Test – An ultrasound creates an image of the foetus and allows doctors to determine whether the baby is growing as it should be. Although some believe that sonograms are a factor in the development of autism, ultrasounds carry little to no risk to the baby or mother.
Blood Tests
Blood tests are taken at different stages in pregnancy based on factors such as maternal age, medical history and the results of earlier screenings and tests. Blood draws are considered very safe for the mother. However, these procedures can cause bleeding and hematomas. Having said that, they usually resolve themselves quickly with little to no negative aftereffects.
Amniocentesis
A needle is inserted into the mother’s uterus to extract amniotic fluid to test for genetic defects, Rh incompatibility, and maternal infection for the Amniocentesis test. However, 0.3% of women, end up having a miscarriage because of the complications caused by amniocentesis. Needle injuries to babies during the procedure have also been reported as a complication.
Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS)
Chronic villus sampling or CVS involves inserting a thin catheter or needle either through the abdomen or through the cervix to remove extracted placental tissue. The tissue is tested for genetic defects; the process can identify at least 200 potential problems. The procedure is riskier than amniocentesis; there is a 1 in 100 chance of miscarriage.
While these tests might have a few complications and side effects, the probability of these tests undergoing any complications is very low. At Apollo hospitals, you can get all these tests done, and predict any genetic defects that your unborn baby might have. These results will help you predict any special steps that you might have to take for your child. Having that said, it is also great to be aware of the side effects that these tests carry with them.
