A–Z Glossary

Chorionic villus sampling

Chorionic villus sampling is a diagnostic prenatal procedure, usually performed during the first trimester, that directly analyzes placental cells.

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CVS testing explained

CVS testing explained

What CVS testing is Chorionic villus sampling is a prenatal diagnostic procedure in which a clinician obtains a very small sample of chorionic villi, the tiny fingerlike projections in the placenta. These cells usually share the fetus’s genetic material because the placenta and fetus develop from the same fertilized egg. The laboratory can then analyze […]

Genetic screening tests explained

Genetic screening tests explained

What genetic screening means Genetic screening is a structured way to estimate whether a person, pregnancy, fetus, embryo, or newborn has an increased chance of a genetic condition. In pregnancy care, screening is often offered to people who have no symptoms and no known family history. This is what makes screening different from targeted genetic […]

NIPT results interpretation and false positives

NIPT results interpretation and false positives

What an NIPT result is actually measuring NIPT, also called cell-free DNA screening, looks at small fragments of DNA circulating in maternal blood. Most of that signal reflects placental DNA, which is usually representative of the fetus but is not always identical to it. That distinction is why the test is best understood as screening […]

Do cravings predict baby gender

Do cravings predict baby gender

The short answer: cravings are not a gender test Cravings are one of the most memorable parts of pregnancy, but they are not a reliable predictor of baby gender. A craving for sweets is often said to mean a girl, while salty or protein-heavy foods are said to mean a boy. Other versions of the […]

Tests in first second and third trimester explained

Tests in first second and third trimester explained

Understanding prenatal testing: screening versus diagnosis Prenatal tests fall into several broad categories. Routine monitoring tests, such as blood pressure measurement, urine testing, blood counts, and ultrasound assessments, help clinicians follow maternal and fetal health. Screening tests estimate whether a fetus is more or less likely to have certain conditions, such as trisomy 21, trisomy […]

NIPT accuracy timing and limitations

NIPT accuracy timing and limitations

What NIPT is actually testing NIPT analyzes cell-free DNA fragments in the pregnant person’s bloodstream. A portion of these fragments comes from the placenta and is often used as a proxy for fetal chromosomal status. This is why many clinicians prefer the term cell-free DNA screening: the sample is maternal blood, and the fetal component […]