for expecting parents

Prenatal Testing

Understanding Your Options During Pregnancy 

Pregnancy involves many important decisions.

One of the most common questions expectant parents have is which prenatal tests are recommended and what those tests can tell them.

Prenatal testing helps monitor the health of both the pregnant person and the developing baby. Some tests are part of routine prenatal care. Others screen for genetic or chromosomal conditions. Understanding your options can help you feel informed, prepared, and confident in your conversations with your healthcare provider. 

This page outlines current best-practice recommendations for prenatal testing and explains available genetic screening options. 

Standard Prenatal Testing 

Standard prenatal testing focuses on monitoring overall health and identifying conditions that may require follow-up care.  Below is an outline of common, routine tests that are an important part of prenatal care and are designed to support a healthy pregnancy. 

Blood Type and Rh Factor

Your blood type and Rh status are usually determined early in pregnancy through a blood test. This information helps guide pregnancy monitoring and management. 

Complete Blood Count

A blood test that checks for anemia and other blood-related conditions. 

Glucose Screening

This test screens for gestational diabetes at designated intervals based on your care provider's recommendations

Infectious Disease Screening

Testing for certain infections is recommended to protect both parent and baby.  The Center for Disease Control recommends that all pregnant women get tested for HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), and syphilis during each pregnancy.

Visit the CDC for more information

Ultrasound Examinations

Ultrasound imaging monitors fetal growth, development, and anatomy throughout pregnancy. 

Urinalysis

A urine test is often performed to check for signs of infection, dehydration, or other conditions that may affect pregnancy.

Urine Culture

This test looks for bacteria in the urine that may not cause symptoms but could require treatment during pregnancy.

Genetic Prenatal Screening

Genetic prenatal testing provides information about certain inherited or chromosomal conditions that may affect a pregnancy or a baby’s health. These screening options are typically offered during pregnancy to help you better understand your pregnancy and consider next steps in care. Some patients choose to have screening early, while others prefer more limited testing. The decision to pursue screening is personal and should be made in partnership with your healthcare provider.

Noninvasive Prenatal Screening

NIPS is a simple blood test that screens for certain chromosomal conditions as early as 10 weeks of pregnancy. It looks at small pieces of DNA from the placenta in your bloodstream to estimate the chance of specific conditions. NIPS screens for conditions such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), trisomy 18, trisomy 13, and sex chromosome differences. Additional screening for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome and your baby’s RhD status may be included based on your provider’s selection. You can also choose to learn your baby’s sex.

NIPS is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Results help guide next steps in care and may indicate if additional testing is recommended.

Learn More

Carrier Screening

Carrier screening is a blood test that analyzes your genes to identify whether you carry a genetic change linked to an inherited disorder that could be passed on to your child. Because we all have two copies of each gene in every cell of our body, carriers are typically healthy when one copy works normally. Knowing this information early can help guide pregnancy and family planning decisions.

If both parents are carriers of the same condition, there is an increased chance their child could be affected. These genetic changes may also impact other family members. Carrier screening can be performed before pregnancy or during pregnancy. Prepregnancy screening allows partners to understand their carrier status earlier and consider available reproductive options.

Carrier screening is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Results help guide next steps in care and may indicate if additional testing is recommended.

Learn More About Carrier Screening

Fetal RhD Screening

Fetal RhD screening is available for RhD negative patients. Approximately 85% of individuals carry a protein in their blood called the Rh (Rhesus) factor. When an Rh-negative mother carries an Rh-positive baby, her immune system can react to the baby’s blood cells. This can be safely managed with routine treatment during pregnancy.

The Fetal RhD screening can screen for your baby’s RhD blood type using a simple blood draw from you. Knowing this information early helps guide safe, personalized pregnancy care.

How to decide what tests are right for you

Choosing prenatal testing is a personal decision. Some patients want as much information as possible early in pregnancy. Others prefer more limited testing. Your provider can help you review: 

Your medical and family history 
The benefits and limitations of each test 
What results may mean 
What next steps might involve

By working together with your healthcare professional, you can explore your options and make a decision that feels right for you.