During the early stages of your pregnancy, you can choose whether you would like a combination test or a NIPT test. We call these tests screening tests. The purpose of these tests is to trace the Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. You have to pay for the NIPT and combination test yourself.
Tests during pregnancy
Your obstetrician will help you decide if you want screening (tests). This way, you will be able to make an informed decision. If you would like a screening test, you can choose between a combination test or NIPT. Your obstetrician will explain the difference between these tests, as well as the possible results. She will do this during your intake consultation.
For more information about the tests, check:
www.onderzoekvanmijnongeborenkind.nl
Translations in English, Turkish, Polish and Arabic are available via:
https://www.pns.nl/documenten/folder-informatie-over-screening-op-down-edwards-en-patausyndroom
The combination test is a screening test. The NIPT is another screening test. You can decide for yourself if you want to have one of these tests done.
Combination test
The combination test is a test to screen early on during the pregnancy if your child has an increased risk of having the Down’s, Edward’s or Patau’s syndrome. The test consists of a combination of 2 tests:
- a blood test between 9 and 14 weeks of pregnancy;
- a neck fold measurement of the baby between 12 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
The neck fold is a thin layer of fluid under the skin in the neck. The thicker the neck fold, the higher the chance that the baby has a syndrome. The neck fold measurement is done through an ultrasound in the period between 11 to 14 weeks pregnancy. During this test, the thickness of the neck fold of the baby is measured. Neither of these tests is dangerous for you or your child.
During the neck fold measurement, your baby is also checked for other major deviations, such as deviations of the skull, brain, limbs and organs. Not all deviations can be seen on this ultrasound, among other things because the ultrasound is done so early.
A combination test costs €180.12 (for the neck fold measurement and the blood test), and it is NOT covered by the basic package of your healthcare insurance. You can pay for the combination test after your appointment at our practice, via debit card or in cash.
The result and possible follow-up examinations
The results of the blood test and the neck fold measurement, combined with your age and the exact duration of your pregnancy, will determine the probability that your child has 1 of these 3 syndromes. The test does not provide certainty; it is a probability calculation.
Practical
The ultrasound takes about half an hour. Because it is a medical examination, we ask you to not bring your children to this ultrasound.
De Luiermand is the only obstetric practice in the area that offers these combination tests. Other obstetric practices in the area refer to our practice. This is because of the strict government requirements and quality criteria that we have to comply with in order to be allowed to offer these tests.
De Luiermand
Verloskundigenpraktijk Vlaardingen
Hoflaan 43i
3134 AC Vlaardingen
Contact
Phone number: +31 10 234 13 55
Childbirth and emergency phone number:
+31 6 46 27 2220
Email: info@deluiermand.nl
