Dangers of Genetic Testing When Pregnant
Where can I get maternal blood sampling to detect any possible abnormalities in a baby? I do not need to do a KB test.
Question:Peg Plumbo CNM
Peg Plumbo has been a certified nurse-midwife (CNM) since 1976. She has assisted at over 1,000 births and currently teaches in the... Read more
Genetic testing takes many different forms depending upon what you are looking for. Chromosomal analysis can be done by obtaining fetal cells through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling. The villus sampling can be done very early in the pregnancy and will give you the same analysis as amniocentesis except for AFP (alphafetoprotein). AFP testing for neural tube defects can initially be done on the mother's blood.
Amniocentesis, done in late first or early second trimester, gives AFP levels as well as chromosome analysis.
There is no one test for genetic screening of fetal cells for all anomalies. If you have any questions about appropriate screening, it would be a good idea to enlist the services of a genetic counselor. Any university that has a medical school generally also has a program to train such people, and they are an invaluable resource. Labs vary also in what they are capable of handling, but a university lab or a major lab such as North Central or a local equivalent should be able to help.
I hope you find what you are looking for.
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