Prenatal Screening:
Checking on your unborn baby

Babies are cute, but the period between conception and birth is highly stressful one for would-be parents. For some couples, the foetuses of the mother are more prone to birthe defects than those of others, and it is imperative for these women to get special medical attention.
Screening Method:

a. Ultrasound
Ultrasound is the most popular and well-known prenatal screening method. It uses sound waves to create an image of the foetus. It is usually done to date the pregnancy, although it can also be used to diagnose any abnormalities in the foetus.

b. Amniocentesis
Amniocentesis involves in taking a sample of the amniotic fluid surrounding the foetus between the 15th and 18th week of pregnancy. A long hollow needle inserted through the abdominal wall allows the doctor to withdraw a small amount of amniotic fluid from the uterus. The procedure is guided by ultrasound to prevent accidental pricking of the foetus. This test is largely used on women who are above 35 years old to determine if their foetus has Down’s Syndrome.

c. Triple Test
The Triple Test, carried out between the 15th and 22nd week of pregnancy, detects abnormal levels of alpha-fetoprotein, oestrogen and human chorionic gonadotrophin, which could mean either a spinal defect or an absence of parts of the brain. It is mainly employed to screen for Down’s Syndrome or other genetic defects.

d. Chorionic Villus Sampling
Achieving similar results as amniocentesis, Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) can detect disorder such as Tay-Sachs, sickle cell anaemia, cystic fibrosis, thalassemia, and Down’s Syndrome. The advantage of CVS over amniocentesis is that is can be used in the early stages of pregnancy- between the 10th and 12th week - when the option of abortion is less complicated and traumatic.