Patient's question:
I am currently 20 weeks pregnant. When I went for prenatal care before, the doctor didn't perform a Down syndrome screening for me. But now I'm already 20 weeks pregnant, and my best friend told me to go to the hospital to do this Down syndrome screening. However, I'm not sure whether I should do it. Can I do a Down syndrome screening at 20 weeks of pregnancy?Doctor's answer:
It can be done, because the best time to perform the Down syndrome screening during pregnancy is between weeks 14 and 20. It requires testing some indicators in the mother's blood, as well as evaluating the risk of fetal Down syndrome based on these indicators, the pregnant woman's condition at the time, her own health status, and some ultrasound examination data. It is necessary to do this, but it is important to make an appointment in advance and do it as soon as possible. Do not miss the best time for testing.