What tests are included in prenatal diagnosis?
Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create a picture of the unborn baby on a special screen. This picture is called a sonogram. It provides useful information about the pregnancy, such as: Size of the unborn baby (which correlates to age); position of the unborn baby; Presence of twins (or more); and presence of some physical defects. Ultrasound testing has been done on millions of pregnant women without any known harm to the mother or the baby. No radiation is involved. Screening Tests (first and second trimester): These tests are used to obtain an educated guess as to whether or not a baby has a specific condition. Some women will receive an increased risk and some women will receive a decreased risk. In other words, these tests do not determine exactly which babies do or do not have one of the following birth defects: Down syndrome, spina bifida, or Trisomy 18. In summary, a screening test narrows down the number of pregnancies that need more extensivetesting. Amniocentesis: A
