The NIPTiva non-invasive prenatal test is performed from the 10th week of pregnancy. The ideal period is between the 10th and 12th week. Blood is taken by standard method. There are no special preparations in the sense that you cannot eat or drink anything before taking the blood sample. After the sample is taken from the venous blood, you can return to your daily activities. Unlike the double and triple tests, NIPTiva is very accurate and reliable, therefore in 99.9% of cases it gives accurate results. Testing relies on high technology analysis of the genetic material of your baby, while double and triple tests rely on statistical probability. These tests are the right choice for all future moms and dads who want to relax and enjoy the period of waiting for the baby.
NIPT is a safe and reliable non-invasive screening test that detects genetic anomalies in the fetus at the whole genome level from blood samples of pregnant women who are at least 10 weeks pregnant. This test poses no risk to the fetus.
The first trimester is the most significant period for the proper development of the fetus. In addition, this period for future parents is particularly stressful because happiness and excitement are quickly replaced by worry and concern about whether the baby is developing properly and whether everything will be okay. That's why NIPTiva tests are ideal for all pregnant women. These tests analyze fetal DNA that circulates freely through the mother's blood. In fact, the baby's DNA circulates in the mother's bloodstream in the form of small fragments and can be detected in circulation after the 7th week of pregnancy.
Why are NIPT prenatal tests done after the 10th week?
The mother's blood contains both her own and the baby's DNA. The best time to perform the NIPT test (because there is a higher percentage of the baby's DNA, around 4%) which guarantees a reliable and valid result is exactly from the 10th week. The minimum is 2.8% of the baby's DNA, anything below that is a sample that will not give accurate results. The percentage of the baby's DNA increases as the pregnancy progresses. The fact that these prenatal tests can be done as early as the 10th week is their greatest advantage. A good test result confirms that you do not have to undergo invasive diagnostic methods such as amniocentesis. We must emphasize that unlike the lower limit for testing (10th week), there is no upper limit.
DNA or deoxyribonucleic acid is the hereditary material found in almost every cell in our body. After fertilization, the mother and father's DNA merge, and the chromosomes in them combine and create a unique set of chromosomes in the embryo's nucleus. Fragments of the baby's DNA that enter the blood of expectant mothers are free and analysis of these fragments can early detect certain genetic abnormalities. This is a non-invasive method with no risk to the baby. NIPT is an excellent prenatal test for early detection of chromosomal disorders caused by the presence of an additional or missing copy of one or more chromosomes (aneuploidy), such as:
- Down syndrome (trisomy 21, caused by an extra chromosome 21)
- Trisomy 18 (caused by an extra chromosome 18)
- Trisomy 13 (caused by an extra chromosome 13)
- Additional or missing copies of X or Y chromosomes (sex chromosomes)
In addition to chromosomal conditions, NIPT also reveals the baby's blood type and Rh factor, as well as the sex of the baby. If you want the sex of the baby to be a surprise for the whole family at birth, you should specify that so that this information is hidden in the report.