You can have your unborn child examined for a number of abnormalities if you wish. We call this prenatal examination or prenatal screening. You can screen for chromosomal abnormalities with:
- (NIPT)
- ETSEO (First trimester structual ultrasound)
- SEO (Second trimester structural ultrasound)
During your first consultation/intake appointment we will also talk about prenatal screening.
NIPTWith this non-invasive prenatal test, some blood is taken from the pregnant woman. This blood is tested for chromosomal abnormalities, Down's, Edwards' and Patau's syndrome. The collection of blood in a pregnant woman is from 10 weeks of pregnancy. The placenta releases some genetic material which circulates in the mother's bloodstream. That genetic material is examined. The NIPT does not entail any risks. Since April 2023, the NIPT has been free of charge and is offered to every pregnant woman in the Netherlands. It's important to think about the different scenarios. What if the NIPT shows an indication of a trisomy? What does this result mean for you and how do you think about follow-up research? Want to read more? prenatal screening... Watch the video about the NIPT here nipt | ETSEOYou can have an examination to see if your child has a physical abnormality. A physical abnormality means that a part of the child's body looks different than normal. The 13-week ultrasound is very similar to the 20-week ultrasound. In both examinations, an sonographer uses an ultrasound machine to check whether your child has any physical abnormalities. You can have the 13-week ultrasound done from 12+3 to 14+3 weeks of pregnancy. So from twelve weeks and three days up to and including fourteen weeks and three days of pregnancy. | SEOAn ultrasound examination that will be offered during pregnancy, but is not mandatory, is the Structural Ultrasound Examination (SEO). This examination is also called the 20-week ultrasound and can be performed from 18 to 22 weeks. Ideally, this ultrasound should be scheduled around 19 weeks of pregnancy. This examination is intended to detect physical abnormalities in the baby, such as spina bifida or skull. In addition, the sonographer will look at all visible structures and organs of the baby during this ultrasound. The baby's growth will also be measured and the amniotic fluid and placenta will be examined. The examination is reimbursed by the health insurer. During the first check-up, the midwife will tell you more about this ultrasound examination and this topic will also be discussed during the second check-up. For more information, explanations and video |