Prenatal tests
In the pregnancy it is possible to have your unborn child examined for a number of congenital disorders. This is called prenatal screening.
These examinations are not mandatory - You determine if you want to undergo these tests.
You can select two tests:
- Screening for down, edwards and patausyndroom.
- 13-week ultrasound*(the anomaly scan)
- 20-week ultrasound (the anomaly scan)
*This is only possible from 1 September 2021
If on Sept. 1st you are >12+3 days (and <14+3 days) pregnant you can have a 13-week ultrasound.
Prenatal screening for Down-, Edwards' and Patau's syndrome
This can be done by a bloodiest called the NIPT.
We will tell you a lot about this (if you want so) during the first check. it helps if you have already read the brochure before the first appointment.
The anomaly scan
The 13 week ultrasound and the 20 week ultrasound are very similar. In both examinations, a sonographer uses an ultrasound machine to check whether the child has any physical abnormalities.
The difference is that at the 13 week ultrasound it is still early in the pregnancy. The child is smaller and less developed. There is less visible than with the 20 week ultrasound, but some often serious abnormalities can already be seen. If a follow-up examination is required, you will have more time at the 13-week ultrasound to determine what to do with the results.
At the 20-week ultrasound, the child is already a bit bigger and more details can be seen. You have less time – if necessary – to have a follow-up examination done and to determine what to do with the results.
More information about the 13 and 20-week ultrasound
Information
During the first appointment we can inform you in detail about the possibilities of prenatal screening.
Do you want to prepare yourself for this conversation? Then read the information on the website: www.pns.nl.