What is NIPT screening?

A Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is a simple blood test, taken from the mother, from as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy. The test picks up the baby’s DNA within the mother’s bloodstream, and, once it is analysed, this DNA can reveal a treasure trove of important information about your baby, including what its gender is likely to be and it can give an indication as to whether certain chromosomal conditions are likely to be present.

Are NIPT Tests available on the NHS?

At present, NIPT is not widely available on the NHS. The NHS does offer a blood test as standard to indicate the likelihood that your baby has Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s Syndrome. If this risk is considered high, you will then be offered further testing, which can include an Amniocentesis. 

Amniocentesis carries a risk of miscarriage, which is why most parents opt for the NIPT first; to gain a stronger indication of the likelihood of your baby having Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s Syndromes. NIPT screening carries no risk to your baby whatsoever; it is a simple blood test taken from the mother, and results are ready within 3-7 working days.

NIPT is a great option if you have been identified as having a high chance of your baby having Down’s, Edwards’ or Patau’s Syndromes, but do not want to immediately have further invasive tests that could potentially endanger your baby. It’s also great if you simply want the option to screen for more conditions or to know the possible sex of your baby as soon as possible, to enable you to be prepared for whatever parenthood might bring your way.

The NHS do offer some women NIPT, however they are not able to provide them to everybody, and this is why many customers opt to take the test privately. 

The Future Health NIPT and NIPT+

The NIPT looks at the chromosomes within the baby’s DNA. This means it can detect likely chromosomal conditions.

There are two levels of Future Health NIPT available. The standard NIPT looks for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes. It also provides parents with the choice to receive information about the potential presence of sex chromosome conditions and whether the identified sex chromosomes suggest the likelihood of the baby being an XX (female) or XY (male).

You can choose to have a more comprehensive screening for your baby by opting for Future Health NIPT+. NIPT+ screens 22 chromosomal pairs, including 13, 18 and 21 included in the NIPT. This can provide you with an even greater insight into your baby’s health from an early stage of gestation.

Please contact our team to discuss your options.

Sex confirmation

The earliest you can have a scan to check your baby’s sex is around 16 weeks. An NIPT can be taken from as early as 10 weeks, with the results arriving just 3-7 working days later. Having an NIPT as part of your first scan appointment provides you with a more rounded introduction to your baby, with an earlier possible insight into what the sex is likely to be.

How does it work?

It is important that we confirm that you are 10 weeks pregnant prior to carrying out the test, to ensure the results are valid. All Hey Baby NIPT services include a complimentary scan to confirm your gestational age.

Our experienced phlebotomist will then take one tube of blood from your arm and send it to the laboratory; the whole process takes less than 20 minutes. The laboratory will analyse the DNA to determine which belongs to you and which is from the placenta (baby’s DNA). We will then contact you with your results within 3-7 working days.

Book your NIPT or call us on 0121 448 5955 for more information.

What if the test finds something?

If the test shows that any of the conditions may be present, then we will arrange for a Genetic Counsellor to contact you to discuss the results. Genetic Counsellors are specially trained professionals who will explain exactly what the results mean and talk through all the options available to you with total sensitivity and empathy.

N.B. Future Health NIPT is a screening test and although false positive/negative results are rare, they can occur. Invasive testing methods would still be recommended for confirmation purposes.

How much does it cost?

You can access this test through Hey Baby 4D for just £399, which includes either a free Early Reassurance Scan or Late Reassurance Scan (depending on the gestation of your pregnancy). You may also be eligible for further discounts from other Hey Baby services.

The Test Is Not Suitable If

• You are a recipient of an organ or bone marrow transplant.
• You have received any treatment involving the transfusion of heterologous cells in the last 12 months, for example, a white cell blood transfusion or stem cell therapy.
• You have cancer.
• You carry a chromosomal imbalance (eg. aneuploidy, chromosomal deletion, mosaicism)