When is prenatal screening done?

Every family hopes to have a healthy and cute baby. In order to ensure that the child is healthy when born, prenatal diagnosis is essential. Through prenatal diagnosis, some fetuses with congenital defects can be discovered, and relevant measures can be taken in time to minimize the birth rate of abnormal fetuses. So when is the best time to do prenatal diagnosis?

Generally speaking, prenatal diagnosis can be carried out at 14 weeks of pregnancy. During the examination, the doctor will extract 2 ml of venous blood from the pregnant woman for the examination, and this will not have any effect on the pregnant woman or the fetus.

It should be noted that the mother generally has two prenatal diagnoses. The first screening, which is called Down syndrome screening, will be conducted between 14 and 20 weeks of pregnancy. This is mainly to check whether the baby has neural tube defects or cartilage diseases. The second screening, which is called four-dimensional color ultrasound screening, will be conducted between 20 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. This screening is mainly to check whether the fetus has any deformities in appearance or organ structure. These two screenings are the most basic. If problems are found in the fetus, further examinations or reexaminations will be required.

In terms of cost, the charges for prenatal diagnosis in each hospital are different, and the costs vary depending on the individual and the country. But in general, the cost is relatively low, ranging from several hundred to over a thousand, which is affordable for everyone.

A warm reminder to all pregnant parents: prenatal diagnosis is not a diagnosis, but only a risk prediction of the probability of fetal illness. If the screening result is high-risk, it means that the pregnant woman is more likely to give birth to a patient. Therefore, a good prenatal diagnosis is a responsibility for the baby and the family. Giving birth to a healthy and happy child is the hope of every family. Therefore, do not be lazy. If any abnormalities are found in the fetus, take appropriate measures to save it in time after consulting with family members and doctors.