Pregnancy is one of the most important and life-changing experiences for a woman, it is generally a mix of emotions, from happiness and anticipation to questions and uncertainties. One of the best ways to understand the concerns of women during a pregnancy, and ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby is through prenatal screening.
Prenatal screening generally consists of a series of tests that are performed during the pregnancy. To identify the potential risks or complications. Healthcare professionals generally perform these tests to know more about the development of the fetus, so that according to the results they can make effective decisions on time. Choose the best specialist for fetal medicine in Siliguri, that mainly focuses on high-risk pregnancies and fetal development.
Let us understand what is prenatal Screening test, and what things you can expect from a Fetal, Medicine Specialist
What Is Prenatal Screening?
The most important question, and commonly asked question during a pregnancy is what is a Prenatal Screening. Generally, Prenatal Screening is a set of tests that a healthcare professional performs during a pregnancy. It is mainly used for assessing the health of both mothers as well as the fetus. Unlike other test, which tends to provide more definitive results, Prenatal Screening is generally a combination of blood tests and ultrasounds, and sometimes it also involves specialized diagnostic tests.
These screenings are generally performed for early detections of potential complications, Someone who tends to have advanced training in managing complicated pregnancies is often referred to as a Fetal medicine specialist. They can interpret the results of these prenatal screenings, and in case of any problem, they also provide you with additional testing, counseling, and support.
Common Prenatal Screening Tests You Can Expect are:-
1. First Trimester Screening (Nuchal Translucency Scan)
It is the first test that is performed during the prenatal Screening, it is performed between 11 and 14 Weeks of the pregnancy. This screening is also known as Nuchal Translucency Scan, and it generally involves an ultrasound and blood test. These tests are performed to assess the risk of certain types of genetic conditions like Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, and trisomy 13.
2. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
Another test that is performed by the healthcare professional during the pregnancy is Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). It is generally a blood test, that is mostly performed during the 10th week of Pregnancy. The use of this testing is done to detect chromosomal abnormalities like Down Syndrome, trisomy 18, and Trisomy 13. Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is known for its accuracy rate and high sensitivity, making it one of the best and most reliable screening tests performed during a pregnancy.
3. Anatomy UltraSound (20-week Scan)
One of the most important tests that is performed during a pregnancy is Anatomy Ultrasound. Which generally takes place between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy. Healthcare professionals generally use ultrasound to examine the baby’s growth, development, and physical features, like the brain, heart, kidneys, spine, and limbs. Healthcare professional generally uses ultrasound for detecting any structural abnormalities or malformations.
4. Glucose Screening Test (Gestational Diabetes Screening)
Glucose Screening Test also known as Gestational Diabetes Screening, these types of screening are generally performed. When a pregnant woman’s body is not able to produce a sufficient amount of insulin, leading to problems like an increase in blood sugar levels, Due to Both mother and baby are affected. Healthcare professionals generally perform this test between 24 to 28 weeks of pregnancy. For measuring how well your body processes sugar, this test involves drinking a sugary solution, to measure your overall blood sugar level.
5. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) Screening
It is generally a type of bacterial infection that can be found in the intestines or genital tract of some pregnant women. Well, GBS is not very harmful to the mother, but it can be quite risky to the newborn, especially during the delivery phase. It leads to infections like pneumonia, meningitis, or sepsis, therefore it is an important part of prenatal testing.
Conclusion
The happiness of being pregnant cannot be described in words, this feeling is often accompanied by mixed emotions of joy, and stress. During this time you have seen that many healthcare professional performs a test known as prenatal screening. For monitoring the health of both mother and fetus throughout the pregnancy. These screening helps in the detection of potential issues as early as possible, for a timely intervention. Understand more about this from a specialist for fetal medicine in Siliguri, so that you can receive expert guidance and personalized care according to your needs.
