Prenatal diagnostics – examinations during pregnancy
Fosterdiagnostik – undersökningar under graviditeten - engelskaWhen you are pregnant, you may undergo various tests. These are to learn more about the development of the foetus. For example, it is possible to find out how many weeks pregnant you are and whether there is more than one foetus. It is also possible to find out if there are any abnormalities in the foetus.
There are regulations regarding when during pregnancy you can undergo the various examinations. It is the healthcare facility that assesses which prenatal diagnostics are possible for you.
The examinations are carried out at the specialist maternity unit at the hospital.
There is no fee payable for the examinations offered in Västerbotten.
If you do not speak Swedish, you may have the right to receive assistance from an interpreter.
You decide for yourself whether to undergo the examinations. Talk to your midwife if you are unsure to receive advice and support.
Ultrasound on two occasions
All women are offered ultrasound during pregnancy. This is a method of looking at the foetus in the uterus. The image of the foetus is displayed on a screen.
The first ultrasound takes place between weeks 13 and 15 of pregnancy. A second ultrasound takes place between weeks 19 and 20.
This is what happens
The midwife starts by applying a jelly to your stomach. This makes the image of the foetus clearer.
The midwife then places a small device over your stomach. It emits sound waves that bounce back and create an image of the foetus on the screen.
The examination is not painful, but the device may press a little on your stomach when the midwife carries out the examination.
The examination usually takes around 30 minutes. You can get a picture of the foetus as a keepsake.
Combined screening – combined ultrasound and blood test
If you are 35 years of age or older, you may be offered combined screening, which is a combined ultrasound and blood test.
The examination shows the probability of the foetus having certain chromosomal abnormalities. Other tests may also be needed to provide a completely reliable answer.
The blood test is taken when you have passed week 9 of your pregnancy.
The ultrasound takes place between weeks 11 and 14.
Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, CVS
By taking samples of the amniotic fluid or placenta, it is possible to detect chromosomal abnormalities in the foetus.
You may be offered an amniocentesis or CVS after you have had combined screening. You may also be offered an amniocentesis or CVS if the ultrasound has shown abnormalities in the foetus.
Amniocentesis is performed when you have passed week 15 of pregnancy.
CVS is performed when you have passed week 11 or 12.
NIPT - blood test that can show chromosomal abnormalities
You may be offered NIPT if a combined screening showed a higher probability of chromosomal abnormalities.
For NIPT, the midwife takes a blood sample from you during your pregnancy. There are small amounts of foetal DNA in the blood. It is therefore possible to see whether the foetus appears to have certain chromosomal abnormalities.
Being informed
It may be a good idea to think about what you want to do if it turns out that the foetus has a problem. It can be difficult to come to terms with such news. You can get help by talking to someone, such as a counsellor.