Nowadays the sheer amount of prenatal testing available along with all the associated information, can seem overwhelming for some couples.
However, basically all prenatal testing falls into one of two categories - screening tests or diagnostic tests.
Prenatal screening tests are done for a large number of women in order to identify those who have a higher-than-average risk of giving birth to a child with a serious or life-threatening health problem.
Screening tests do not state that there definitely is a problem.
Just a higher likelihood that there MAY be a problem.
Diagnostic tests, are specifically designed to determine whether there is, in fact, something wrong with the baby.
It is important to stress that screening tests, due their design, are created to ensure as many potential problems are identified as possible.
This means that many pregnant women despite having been identified as at risk of having a problem, find that in fact both mother and baby are perfectly healthy.
In some positive screening tests up to 95% of women and their babies are found to be totally healthy! Perhaps the best way to look at screening tests is to consider them a reasonable indicator as to whether or not further diagnostic tests should be considered.
If prenatal screening tests do throw up some potential problems, there are several points to consider.
First off all, there are no 100% effective prenatal tests, it is impossible to check for every eventuality and a clear result on a prenatal diagnostic test does not ensure a healthy baby.
In addition, with some diagnostic tests such as amniocentesis, the risk of miscarriage due to the test itself may well be higher than the risk of the baby having a birth defect.
However if problems are identified during a diagnostic test then they can provide the parents with options.
For example, with many defects there are treatments which can be carried out during pregnancy.
Delivery options can be decided and in the worst case scenario, the pregnancy can be terminated.
Certain mothers are of course at higher risk than others of having children with birth defects and may well decide that they want to go the diagnostic prenatal testing route.
High risk groups include mothers who have previously given birth to a baby with birth defects; a family history of birth defects; being exposed to any harmful or toxic substances during pregnancy; being exposed to a serious illness or infection during pregnancy and women over 40.
Before making any decisions you should discuss with your doctor at great length and make sure all aspects of the tests and possible outcomes are explained fully.
A clear understanding of both the risks and the benefits of having the test performed are essential