The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Walter de la Birche, which was dated circa 1182, in the Studies on Middle English Local Surnames, during the reign of King Henry 11, known as The Builder of Churches, 1154 - 1189.
For Downâs syndrome, a blood test called the quadruple test is available from weeks 14-20 of pregnancy. For Patauâs and Edwardsâ syndromes, you will be offered a mid-pregnancy scan that checks for physical abnormalities.
Specialists analyse the levels of pregnancy hormones in your blood to determine your risk. NIPT involves a single blood test, and can be done from 10 weeks. Your blood is analysed for fragments of your baby's DNA to find out your risk of having a baby with Down's syndrome. It's more than 99 per cent accurate at detecting Down's syndrome (Ariosa Diagnostics nd, BGI Diagnosis nd).