1st Trimester Screening

First trimester screening is a non-invasive prenatal genetic test that uses a blood sample and an ultrasound evaluation to identify a pregnancy’s risk for chromosomal abnormalities.

We perform this test between weeks 11 and 13 of your pregnancy to learn whether there is an increased risk for Down syndrome or Edwards syndrome. The second portion of the test, performed between 15 and 20 weeks, helps us determine the risk for spina bifida.

If the risk level is low, first trimester screening provides reassurance about the pregnancy. However, if the risk level is high, additional testing, such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis, can determine whether a pregnancy is affected by a chromosomal disorder.