First Trimester Screening Screening during the first trimester
is a combination of ultrasound and two blood tests. These tests
can help determine the risk of certain birth defects. Alpha-
fetoprotein screening is a blood test that measures the level of
AFP in the mothers' blood. Abnormal levels may indicate certain
problems with the fetus. Fetal ultrasound is a test used during
pregnancy that creates an image of the fetus in the mother's
uterus, or womb. Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) This prenatal
test involves taking a sample of tissue from the placenta to
test for chromosomal abnormalities and certain other genetic
problems. Amniocentesis is a procedure used to obtain a small
sample of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus during
pregnancy. The fluid is analyzed to help diagnose certain birth
defects. Fetal Blood Sampling Fetal blood sampling is a
procedure to remove a small amount of blood from the fetus
during pregnancy. It may be taken to diagnose problems or an
infection. Fetal Movement Counting