Follow-up testing after the NIPT
Have you had the NIPT and is there an indication of a chromosomal abnormality? Or do you have a medical indication? Then you will be offered follow-up testing for clearer results. Another term for follow-up testing is prenatal diagnostics.
You can have follow-up testing done at a hospital in Aruba or Curaçao. By having more tests done, you can be sure if your child has a chromosomal abnormality.
When can you choose to have follow-up testing?
You can have follow-up testing done if:
- You have received an abnormal NIPT result. There are indications that your child has a chromosomal abnormality.
- There are medical reasons for follow-up testing. For example, if you have previously been pregnant with a child with a chromosomal abnormality. Your midwife can tell you more about this.
Types of follow-up testing
Amniocentesis
During an amniocentesis, the doctor inserts a needle into the abdomen and removes a small amount of amniotic fluid. You can have an amniocentesis from 16 weeks of pregnancy. An amniocentesis is performed at the Dr. Horacio E. Oduber Hospital (HOH) in Aruba. It usually takes 1 to 2 weeks to get the results. Sometimes it is necessary to examine the chromosomes more closely. This takes 3 to 4 weeks.
There is a minor risk of miscarriage after amniocentesis. This happens in 1 out of 200 women.
A comprehensive ultrasound scan: Advanced Ultrasound Examination
This ultrasound involves a thorough examination of possible abnormalities in the child. The ultrasound does not hurt at all and does not harm your child. This Advanced Ultrasound Examination is called a GUO in Dutch. You can get a comprehensive ultrasound scan in a hospital in Curaçao.
Would you like to know more about follow-up testing?
Then you can have an in-depth consultation with a care provider at the hospital. They can tell you more about the results and what this means for your child. The care provider will also discuss the options with you. You do not have to decide what you want to do until after that. You may decide that you do not want any follow-up testing. Or you may decide that you do want it. You are not required to do anything. It is up to you to decide.
Results of follow-up testing
The doctor will give you the results of the follow-up tests. The results may show that everything is fine. But it is also possible that the tests will show that you are carrying a child with a chromosomal abnormality. This news may make you anxious or sad. You will probably have many questions. That is why you will quickly have an in-depth talk with one or more doctors. This could include a gynecologist, a clinical geneticist, or a pediatrician. There are various options. Who you talk to depends on the abnormalities that are found.
Does your child have an abnormality?
If your child has an abnormality, you will talk to one or more experts. They will tell you more about your child’s abnormality and what it means. With this abnormality, what is the expected quality of life? What options for treatment are available? How long might your child live? What decisions can you make?
Options after an abnormal result
The options depend on the abnormality. Here is what you can do with the result:
- You can carry your pregnancy to term and allow the child to be born.
You can prepare for the arrival of a child with a chromosomal abnormality. You can also arrange for extra care during your pregnancy and delivery. - Sometimes an abnormality is so severe that the child will die during pregnancy or shortly after birth.
The midwife will guide you through this process. - You can also choose to terminate the pregnancy.
This means that the child will die. Talk about it with your midwife, or with the gynecologist, pediatrician, or clinical geneticist. Ask all your questions. Have you decided to terminate the pregnancy? This is possible up to 24 weeks of pregnancy.
You decide what to do with the results
It can be very difficult to decide what to do if your unborn child has an abnormality. It is important that you make a choice that is right for you.
Do you need support?
Experts at the hospital can help you. You can also talk about it with your midwife, gynecologist, or family doctor. Sometimes it can also help to talk to a pediatrician, a clinical geneticist (a doctor specializing in genetics), or a social worker. Patient support organizations may also be able to help you. Ask your midwife, gynecologist, or family doctor about this.
Talk to people who are important to you
It can also help to talk to other people who are important to you before you decide. That could include your partner, parents or friends, a minister or pastor, an imam or a rabbi.