Pregnancy Screening: Gettyimages
When is the first screening carried out?
What is screening?This is a set of studies that allow you to exclude the risk of severe genetic diseases in a child, such as Down, Edwards, and Patau syndromes. The so-called "first trimester screening" is usually carried out at 10-12 weeks. It includes a blood test and ultrasound, during which the doctor measures the length of the embryo. During the first screening, the fetal crown-rump length (CRL) at 10 weeks is normally in the range of 33 to 49 mm, during screening at 11 weeks - from 42 to 58 mm, during screening at 12 weeks - from 51 to 73 mm. The doctor also necessarily examines the nasal bone. If it is not visualized, this is one of the markers of the likely development of Down syndrome.
Second Screening
Here's some important information - are you expecting a boy ora girl – you will get it only in the period from 18 to 21 weeks of pregnancy. At this stage, you can order a photo of the baby based on the screening results. This screening is also called a triple test, because special attention is paid to three indicators based on the blood test results:
- alpha-protein;
- free estriol;
- chorionic gonadotropin.
During an ultrasound examinationthe diligence of the fetus is determined, which can be the head (screening norm) and pelvic. Also, the doctor conducts fetometry: it determines the circumference of the head, the volume of the abdomen, the thorax, the length of the arms and legs, and examines the placenta state.
Timing for the third screening
At 33 weeks, the third screening is carried out,According to reviews from experienced mothers, this is the most exciting. The doctor records the baby's weight (at 32-34 weeks, the expected weight of the child should be about 2248-2750 g), the thickness of the placenta (normally from 26.8 to 43.8 mm), its presentation and maturity, as well as the volume of amniotic fluid (should not exceed 1500-1700 ml). What changes occur with the child during this period can be seen on the screening video. Despite the fact that screening is carried out on all pregnant women without exception, the debate still does not subside: does such frequent "x-raying" harm the child? Most mothers still leave positive reviews about screening: after all, medical research is ultimately aimed at minimizing the risks of serious diseases.
