One in four women will suffer a miscarriage. Would it be beneficial if a simple blood test could tell you whether or not your baby will be born with genetic conditions without the risk of miscarriage? Northern Ireland is now offering a simple risk-free blood test that tells whether or not chromosomal abnormalities are developing in the growing embryo or fetus.
This new blood test being offered is free of risks associated with the existing tests such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS). One in 100 women opt for these diagnostic procedures, which involves inserting a needle into the womb, will suffer a miscarriage or preterm labor.
Dr. Samina Dornan, the doctor who is bringing this test to Northern Ireland said,
This test is a positive choice option as it allows mothers to prepare for what lies ahead, and, in the vast majority of cases, they are going to find out that they definitely are carrying a normal baby.
There are so many benefits to this blood test, the most import is the number of babies we can save because it is not invasive testing. Even if we save one baby’s life, it is an incredible thing. Moms mums will find out there are no problems so we are bringing them huge satisfaction and they can enjoy the rest of their pregnancy.
This test, which has never had any false positives, can be performed from a sample of the mother’s blood taken anytime after 10 weeks gestation and a normal result guarantees 100% that the baby has normal chromosomes.
If the test identifies any problems, the mother and the family then has time to come to terms with this, they have recovered from the initial shock by the time baby arrives and the birth is a beautiful thing.
Under the health service, potential health concerns in unborn babies are flagged up at a scan performed at 20 weeks, some maternity units also offer a maternal blood test at just 16 weeks into the pregnancy.
The Harmony blood test for expectant mothers is not available on the health service but is being offered through the 3fivetwo private clinic in Belfast, Ireland.
Source: Belfast Telegraph
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