Patient Care Services

Prenatal testing
During your pregnancy, you will be asked if you wish to undergo prenatal screening tests, which can include

• chorionic villus sampling,
• MSAFP (maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein)
• amniocentesis
• ultrasound

Chorionic villi sampling
This test is done very early in pregnancy at about 10 to 12 weeks gestation to rule out or diagnose certain genetic birth defects. It may be offered when there is increased risk of chromosomal or genetic birth defect.

MSAFP
Maternal serum screening (MSAFP) is a blood test which identifies pregnant women who may be at increased risk for having a baby with an open neural tube defect, such as spina bifida, or Down syndrome, or trisomy 18 which are chromosome abnormalities. A screening test does not provide a diagnosis, but a prediction of the likelihood of a problem to occur. Greenwich Hospital is one of the first hospitals in the state to offer maternal serum screening using four analytes rather than the usual three. Our genetic counselor is available to discuss results of this screening test.

Amniocentesis
This procedure can be done at 15 to 18 weeks or later in pregnancy and involves removing a small sample of amniotic fluid to provide genetic and health information about the fetus. A needle is inserted through the pregnant woman's abdominal wall, uterine wall and amniotic sac to take out a fluid sample that contains cells from the fetus that are then cultured and analyzed. Discuss with your physician the risks and advantages of this procedure as well as why it is being done.

Ultrasound
Ultrasound can be used at any point during pregnancy to provide information about the health and development stage of the fetus. Transvaginal ultrasound is generally used early in pregnancy while transabdominal ultrasound is used later. Ultrasound can provide detailed images of fetal development, address a variety of concerns or allay fears.

High-Risk Pregnancy