Tests during pregnancy – foetal diagnostics
Undersökningar under graviditeten - engelskaWhen you are pregnant, you can have tests of the foetus in the uterus. These tests are called foetal diagnostics. You choose whether you want to have these tests.
You may be asked about several different tests
When you are pregnant, you may have one or more of these tests:
- ultrasound scan
- KUB – combined ultrasound scan and blood test
- NIPT blood test
- amniotic fluid test
- placenta test.
Your midwife will tell you which tests you can have.
What do the tests show?
The tests show how the foetus is developing. They can also show if something is not right.
Your midwife can tell you more about the tests and what they can show.
It is your decision
The midwife will ask if you want to do some foetal diagnostic tests. But these are completely voluntary. This means that you decide for yourself whether you want to have the tests or not.
No one else can decide that for you. What feels right or wrong may be different for different people. Therefore, you should always do what feels right for you.
Talk to your midwife
Tell your midwife if you want to have the tests. Please consider what you yourself think and feel about the tests. Ask your midwife if you have any questions.
You can change your mind at any time. Even right when you are about to have the tests.
Ultrasound scan
It is common to have two ultrasound scans during pregnancy.
The first ultrasound scan is usually done between weeks 11 and 14. The second scan is usually done between weeks 18 and 22.
What happens during an ultrasound scan?
You will lie down on a bed. The midwife will apply gel to your belly.
The midwife will then place a special probe on your belly. You will see the foetus on a screen.
The midwife will check how the foetus is developing. You will find out approximately what date you will give birth and if you have more than one foetus in your belly.
KUB - combined ultrasound scan and blood test
Sometimes you will be asked if you want to have a test called KUB. It includes an ultrasound scan and a blood test. KUB is usually done in week 12.
What happens during the KUB test?
First you will give a blood sample. After that, you will have an ultrasound scan.
You will get the results of the KUB immediately after the ultrasound scan.
NIPT blood test
NIPT is a blood test. A sample is taken from a blood vessel in your arm. You may be asked if you want to have the NIPT after the KUB test.
Amniotic fluid test
In the uterus, there is amniotic fluid that protects the foetus. You may be asked to provide a sample of amniotic fluid after the KUB test.
What happens during the amniotic fluid test?
A doctor collects the sample using a needle through your belly. The test does not hurt.
This test slightly increases the risk of miscarriage. But the risk is still very small.
Placenta test
In the uterus, the placenta supplies nutrition and oxygen to the foetus. You may be asked to provide a sample from the placenta after the KUB test.
What happens during the placenta test?
A doctor collects the sample using a needle through your belly. The test does not hurt.
This test slightly increases the risk of miscarriage. But the risk is still very small.
You may need to make difficult decisions
If the tests show that something is not right, you may need to make difficult decisions. Some people might have an abortion and terminate the pregnancy. Others want to keep the foetus regardless of what the tests show.
It is the pregnant person who decides what they want to do.
You can make the decision yourself until week 18 of pregnancy. After that, special rules apply to abortion. Your midwife can tell you more.
If you need to talk to someone
Sometimes it can be helpful to talk to someone. It could be someone you know or a counsellor. Tell your midwife if you want to talk to a counsellor.
Talking to a counsellor is free of charge.