Types of screens

Questions about ethnicity

In every ethnic group there are certain disorders or diseases that occur more often than in the general population. Based on your ethnic group, you may be offered carrier testing to see if your baby is at risk for having a specific condition.

A carrier is a person who is healthy but faces the risk of having a baby with a specific disease if the partner is also a carrier. Carrier testing is important because most carriers do not have a family history of the condition.

Questions about family history

At your first prenatal visit you will be asked questions about your family history. A history of certain birth defects, illnesses, genetic disorders, infertility, miscarriage, or other problems may suggest an increased risk to your baby.

Genetic counseling can help determine if there is an increased risk and what, if any, tests are available to diagnose or rule out the condition.

Your age

Most birth defects do not increase with the person's age. However, there are some chromosomal conditions that occur more often in older people. Down syndrome is the most well known of these conditions.

In the past, a pregnant person's age determined whether they were offered chromosomal testing rather than screening. However, the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG) now advises that all pregnant people, regardless of their age, have the option of diagnostic testing.

ACOG also advises that screening be offered to pregnant people who are unsure about having diagnostic testing. ACOG recognizes that a person's decision is based on many factors, such as a family or personal history of birth defects, the risk of a chromosome abnormality or inherited condition, and the risk of pregnancy loss from the testing procedure.

Serum screen

A serum screen is a blood test that looks for specific proteins produced by your baby or the placenta. The amount of these proteins can help determine the chance of having a baby with a specific condition.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound can be used to screen for physical malformations and abnormal development.