A non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) is a sensitive test to screen for Down syndrome and some other chromosomal disorders in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Amniocentesis is a diagnostic test carried out during pregnancy to assess whether the baby has an abnormality or serious health condition.

Think about the prenatal screening tests you might have, and whether you want a dating scan to confirm your due date.

Down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder affecting 1 in 1,100 babies. Screening tests for Down syndrome are routinely offered to pregnant women.

Prenatal screening won’t tell you if your baby has a health condition, but it can assess the risk. Learn more here about deciding whether to have a prenatal screening test.

Chorionic villus sampling (CVS) is a test carried out during pregnancy, where a sample of cells is taken from the placenta to detect genetic defecets in an unborn baby.

Antenatal care includes several check-ups, tests and scans, some of which are offered to women as a normal part of antenatal care in Australia. Learn more here.

Learn about why, when and how NIPT testing is done

betterhealth.vic.gov.au

The following guide outlines the different pathology tests available throughout each trimester, and the purpose of your prenatal blood tests.