The Importance of Maternal Serum Screening in Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of the most emotional and life-altering journeys that a woman can go through. During this time, every mother’s main objective is to keep the baby as safe as possible. That’s why doing a maternal serum screening should be one of your top priorities. The screening is a simple blood test that provides the parents with valuable information about the baby’s health and any potential concerns.

What is Maternal Serum Screening?

It is a specific blood test that is done during the mother’s pregnancy to check levels of certain substances in her blood. We also call these substances “markers”, which are produced by the baby and the placenta. Measuring these markers helps doctors find out if there’s a higher chance of the baby having some genetic or developmental conditions. The test is extremely safe for both the mother and baby. 

When is it done?

It’s usually done between the first and second trimester of the pregnancy.

• During the first trimester (around 11-14th week), doctors check for chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome.
• During the second trimester (around the 15th to 20th week), the check is conducted for neural defects like spina bifida.

Sometimes, your doctor may ask you to undergo a combined screening where the results from both trimesters are studied together to get a better picture of what is going on.

Why is it important?

• Early detection: The biggest advantage of this test is that it can detect health conditions early on. With early detection, both parents and doctors can prepare in advance to come up with solutions for it.
• Safe and non-invasive: Unlike some procedures like amniocentesis, this test is safer for the baby. It’s just a simple blood test that’s conducted to find out about any potential complications.
• Helps monitor fetal development: The substances measured in the test, like alpha-fetoprotein(AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and estriol, can give the doctors a better idea of how well the baby and placenta are developing.
• Peace of mind: Pregnancy is often a very stressful process, especially for first-time mothers. A normal screening can give the parents a sense of reassurance that their baby is okay, while an abnormality can be treated on time and with care.
• Better medical care: When doctors have more information early on in the pregnancy, it can lead to more personalised care, making sure that the baby is delivered healthily.

The tools available today for pregnancy care are vastly advanced and more reassuring than ever. Tests like maternal serum screening probably help save countless lives and keep a lot of first-time parents stress-free. Although no test can provide a risk-free pregnancy, choosing labs like MedGenome that conduct genetic tests like this with professionalism and the best available technology helps ensure that you and your baby are safe and healthy.