Prenatal screening: discover your options and choices

What exactly is antenatal screening?

Prenatal screening allows you to check during your pregnancy whether there are any indications of certain conditions in your baby. In the Netherlands, you can opt for NIPT and the 13- and 20-week scans. Screening does not detect all conditions and does not guarantee a healthy child. You decide for yourself whether you want information and which tests you wish to have carried out.

What if you still come across information about the combination test?

The combination test has not been offered as part of the Dutch antenatal screening programme since 1 October 2021. Older information may still list this test as an option. Discuss with your midwife or gynaecologist which tests are currently available and suitable for your situation.

NIPT: what does this test involve?

The NIPT is a blood test that looks for signs of chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes. Your blood also contains DNA from the placenta, which almost always matches that of your baby. You can have the NIPT carried out from 10 weeks’ pregnancy. For the blood test, a sample is taken from your arm; this does not put you at risk of a miscarriage.

A normal result indicates a low risk of the conditions being screened for, but does not rule out the possibility entirely. If the result is abnormal, you can opt for further testing. The NIPT is free of charge. However, you may have to pay some follow-up costs under your health insurance excess: please check with your health insurer.

What happens if the results are abnormal?

You will be given an explanation of what the result means and what further steps are available. For greater certainty regarding a chromosomal abnormality, you can opt for chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis. These involve examining material from the placenta or amniotic fluid. These tests carry a small risk of miscarriage. Discuss the significance, limitations and risks with the specialist. You decide for yourself whether you want further testing.

Choosing whether or not to have prenatal screening

Whether you have prenatal screening is always a personal choice. Some parents choose to have it because they want certainty, whilst others consciously decide against screening because they do not want to experience uncertainty or because they do not consider the result important for the course of their pregnancy. It is important that you are well informed, for example through discussions with your midwife or doctor. Take the time to think about what feels right for you and your partner, and know that whatever decision you make is the right one.

How do you prepare for antenatal screening?

Good preparation helps you make informed choices. Read reliable information in advance, talk to other parents about their experiences, and discuss your feelings and doubts with your midwife or GP. Take your time, together with your partner, to think about how you would deal with any results.

It can also help to think in advance about what next steps you might want to take if the screening reveals anything. This way, you can avoid being faced with difficult decisions unexpectedly.

Emotions and support during antenatal screening

Antenatal screening can be emotionally stressful, especially when you feel uncertain about what the results might mean. It is perfectly normal to experience mixed feelings when thinking about these tests. That is why it is particularly important to communicate openly with your partner, family or friends and to seek support from your midwife. They can reassure you, answer your questions and guide you through the entire process, whatever choice you make.

Prenatal screening provides valuable information during your pregnancy. By being well-informed about your options and listening to your own instincts, you can make the choice that best suits you, your partner and your baby.