Many expectant parents wonder whether their child will be healthy. Fortunately, most children are born healthy. As a pregnant woman, you have the option to have your child examined before birth (prenatally).
Prenatal screening
During your first visit, we will ask you if you would like more information about the 13-week ultrasound, the NIPT (blood test for Down syndrome, among others), and the 20-week ultrasound. If you do, you will receive a brochure, and we will discuss the possible examinations in detail.
Choosing a test can be difficult. You receive more information about your child’s health, which can be reassuring. You can choose whether to use the tests: the 13-week ultrasound, the NIPT (blood test), and the 20-week ultrasound. In the event of an unfavorable result, you can choose to have further testing done. Therefore, you can stop a test at any time.
For more information: Screenings during pregnancy | Prenatal and neonatal screenings (pns.nl)
The 13-week ultrasound
The 13-week ultrasound is a medical examination for congenital physical abnormalities in your child. In the Netherlands, you can opt for this ultrasound if you participate in the scientific IMITAS study. This ultrasound can be performed from 12+3 weeks up to and including 14+3 weeks of gestation. There are no extra costs associated with this examination for you.
During this ultrasound, not all congenital abnormalities are detectable ultrasonographically because the baby is still very small. Anything that cannot be seen during this ultrasound is repeated during the 20-week ultrasound. In particular, the heart and skull are difficult to examine properly at this stage. This is done extensively during the 20-week ultrasound.
Midwife and practice owner Suze Klapper is a Structural Sonographer and performs this ultrasound.
You are not allowed to take photos or videos during this ultrasound.
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to accompany you to this ultrasound.
One accompanist is allowed to accompany you.
We are not allowed to check the sex during this ultrasound.
For more information: 13-week ultrasound | Prenatal and neonatal screenings (pns.nl)
The NIPT
You can opt for the NIPT (non-invasive prenatal test) if you want to know during pregnancy whether your child has Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, or Patau syndrome. In the Netherlands, you can choose this test if you participate in the scientific TRIDENT-2 study. This test involves a blood sample from the mother.
People with Down syndrome have an intellectual disability. It is more severe in some than in others. Nothing can be said about this beforehand. Edwards syndrome and Patau syndrome are much less common than Down syndrome. They are very serious conditions. Most children die before or around birth. The NIPT can also detect other conditions. This is called incidental finding.
For more information: The NIPT | Prenatal and neonatal screenings (pns.nl)
The 20-week ultrasound
With the structural ultrasound examination (the 20-week scan), performed between 18 and 21 weeks, it is checked whether there are any ultrasonically detectable congenital abnormalities. The growth of your child, the amount of amniotic fluid, and the location of the placenta are also checked. There are no extra costs associated with this examination.
If not everything is clearly visible due to, for example, the baby’s position, a repeat ultrasound will be scheduled to complete the scan (revision SEO).
Midwives and practice owners Suze Klapper and Janita Simonse are Structural sonographers and perform this ultrasound.
You are not allowed to take photos or videos during this ultrasound.
Children under the age of 12 are not allowed to accompany you to this ultrasound.
One accompanist is allowed to accompany you.
For more information: 20-week ultrasound | Prenatal and neonatal screenings (pns.nl)
Follow-up investigation: chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis
If you receive an abnormal result from the NIPT, or if something abnormal is observed during the 13-week or 20-week ultrasound, there is the option to undergo further testing to be certain. This follow-up testing usually consists of a comprehensive ultrasound examination at the Erasmus Medical Center. Sometimes you may also be offered a chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, or blood tests may be performed. You decide whether you wish to undergo the follow-up testing. These tests provide a definitive result as to whether or not a baby has a condition. However, there is a 0.5% (1:200) risk of miscarriage associated with this. You can also choose to do nothing and carry the pregnancy to term.
https://www.pns.nl/prenatale-screeningen
