Are you expecting a baby? Congratulations! You have an incredibly exciting time ahead of you, full of anticipation.
However, there are also many questions you may not have even considered before. For example, there’s medical care during pregnancy . There are a whole range of prenatal examinations – some of which you may have never heard of. You’ll find an overview of the most important ones here.
Ultrasonic
The most well-known prenatal examination provides a first glimpse of the unborn child. This typically involves three ultrasound examinations during the 40 weeks of pregnancy.
The health insurance company covers the costs of these appointments. Only if complications arise or the doctor detects abnormalities will the insurance company pay for further ultrasound examinations.
However, there are also many gynecologists who, depending on the circumstances or towards the end of the pregnancy , perform ultrasound examinations more frequently without charging extra costs.
Often, expectant parents also request additional examinations and cover the costs out of their own pocket. This isn’t necessary; standard checkups are performed according to this schedule:
- First ultrasound examination in the 9th to 12th week of pregnancy
- Second ultrasound examination in the 19th to 22nd week of pregnancy
- Third ultrasound examination in the 29th to 32nd week of pregnancy
Chorionic villus sampling
During chorionic villus sampling, cells are taken from the placenta—the so-called chorionic villi. Doctors can use these to determine whether the unborn child has genetic diseases.
It is usually performed when abnormalities are noticed during an ultrasound examination or when a hereditary disease is suspected.
Blood test
This blood test is still relatively new. It allows the diagnosis of genetic abnormalities such as trisomy 21, 18, and 13. This is possible starting at 9 weeks. The test provides an accurate diagnosis of the chromosomal abnormalities being examined.
Many women prefer the blood test to an amniocentesis because it poses no risk to the child. Parents must cover the costs of the blood test privately.
First trimester screening and nuchal translucency measurement
In the so-called nuchal translucency measurement, the doctor uses ultrasound to measure the thickness of the fluid cushion under the skin in the neck of the unborn child.
Between the 11th and 14th weeks of pregnancy, fluid accumulates in the unborn child’s neck between the skin and the tissues surrounding the spine. This cushion of fluid is normally very thin (less than two millimeters) and disappears later in the pregnancy as the baby’s kidneys begin to function and drain the fluid.
In children with chromosomal defects, as well as in children with heart defects, the fluid cushion is often noticeably thick. If abnormalities are detected during this so-called first-trimester screening, further screening tests are performed, such as a chorionic villus sampling or an amniocentesis.
Amniocentesis
An amniocentesis is an invasive procedure that can be performed between the 14th and 19th weeks of pregnancy. The goal of the test is to detect hereditary diseases, malformations, and chromosomal abnormalities, such as trisomy 21, in the child.
For this, amniotic fluid is taken directly from the amniotic sac. The fetal cells contained therein are examined. This test is not without risks and is therefore only performed in certain cases, e.g., if abnormalities are found in the first trimester screening.
Triple test
The triple test is a blood test that determines the levels of three specific hormones. It is performed between the 14th and 18th weeks of pregnancy. If hormone levels are abnormal, the likelihood of trisomy 21 increases.
However, the triple test does not provide a diagnosis, but only a risk assessment. This is why it is controversial, especially since it is considered unreliable. Parents generally have to cover the costs of the triple test themselves.
Umbilical cord puncture
Umbilical cord puncture is rarely used; it is possible from the 18th week of pregnancy onward, but it is not without risks, with a 3 percent risk of miscarriage. It can be helpful in cases of possible blood incompatibility between mother and child, or if infection in the child is suspected.
The doctor uses a thin, hollow needle to draw blood from the unborn child’s umbilical cord, which is then analyzed in the laboratory. The following diseases can be diagnosed, among others:
- Anemia
- Metabolic disorders
- Infections (toxoplasmosis, rubella, etc.)
- Hydrops fetalis (fluid accumulation in the child’s body)
Some of these diseases can even be treated in the womb. If the procedure is medically necessary, the health insurance company will cover the costs of the puncture.
Of course, it’s entirely up to you to decide which preventive examinations you’d like to undergo. Your doctor will be happy to advise you.
