At 11 weeks, you can opt for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT), which screens for certain chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome using a sample of your blood.
NIPT analyzes small fragments of fetal DNA that are circulating in the mother's blood to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
NIPT is highly accurate in detecting certain conditions, but it's a screening test, not a diagnostic test. A high-risk result may require further testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS), for confirmation.
NIPT is recommended for those considered at high risk for chromosomal abnormalities, including women over 35, those with a family history of genetic disorders, or abnormal findings on an ultrasound. However, it's available to anyone who wants additional screening.
In addition to NIPT, you might also have the option for a nuchal translucency (NT) scan, which is an ultrasound performed between 11 and 14 weeks to measure the clear (translucent) space in the tissue at the back of the baby's neck, contributing to assessing the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
