fetal Diagnostic Tests

Throughout your pregnancy, there are a range of different diagnostic tests to screen your baby for potential diseases or medical conditions. Diagnosing any conditions early on gives you the most information and options for treatment. As always, our office aims to make these tests as easy and comfortable as possible.

Fetal Diagnostic Tests include:

• Fetal Ultrasound: possibly the most well known diagnostic, fetal ultrasound is used in the first trimester to identify and screen many different factors of the baby’s health, including proper placement, chromosomal abnormalities, and placental development. In some cases, ultrasound is also used in the second and third trimesters to diagnose certain genetic conditions and to monitor the baby’s development.

• Amniocentesis: Dr. Drake takes a small amount of the amniotic fluid and tests it for genetic conditions such as Down’s syndrome. This test is usually done in the second trimester.

• Prenatal Genetic Counseling: by taking a detailed health history of you and your family, combined with DNA tests, we can identify genetic conditions that may be more likely in your baby, and recommend specific diagnostic tests based on those results.

• Diagnostic Fetoscopy: a tiny camera is inserted via a small tube through your abdomen into the uterus, so Dr. Drake can get a clear look at your baby to assess their development.

• Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS): with CVS, Dr. Drake takes a small sample of your placenta, usually between week 10-13 of the pregnancy. This test can diagnose chromosomal abnormalities and different genetic disorders.