Introduction

To find out how likely it is that your baby has Down’s syndrome (Trisomy 21 or T21), Edwards’ syndrome (Trisomy 18 or T18) or Patau’s syndrome (Trisomy 13 or T13).

Screening is your choice. You do not have to have the screening test. Some people want to find out if their baby has one of the conditions and some do not. Screening is not perfect and might provide an incorrect result. It may lead to personal choices about your pregnancy.

If you choose to have screening, you can be screened for:

• all 3 conditions
• Down’s syndrome only
• Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome only

This screening will be offered if you’re having one baby or twins.

The screening process may involve several different tests.

The first screening test is called the combined test (or the quadruple test if you are later in your pregnancy). You may then be offered a second type of screening test called NIPT (non-invasive prenatal testing). Following either of these screening tests you may be offered a diagnostic test to confirm whether or not the baby has one of the conditions.