A–Z Glossary

Noninvasive prenatal testing

Cell-free DNA screening analyzes placental DNA fragments in maternal blood to estimate the chance of certain common chromosomal conditions.

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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 […]

Does morning sickness mean a girl

Does morning sickness mean a girl

The short answer Morning sickness can happen with pregnancies carrying girls, boys, and multiples, so it should not be used as a dependable way to predict fetal sex. The belief that stronger nausea means a girl is understandable because some research has found a small statistical association between more frequent nausea and vomiting and female […]

Belly shape carrying low and carrying high gender myths

Belly shape carrying low and carrying high gender myths

The myth: carrying low means one sex, carrying high means another The classic version of the myth says that a low, forward-projecting abdomen means the baby is a boy, while a higher, wider, or more rounded abdomen means the baby is a girl. In some families and cultures, the prediction is reversed. The details vary, […]

Month 3 of pregnancy: end of first trimester and key milestones

Month 3 of pregnancy: end of first trimester and key milestones

Where month 3 fits in pregnancy dating Pregnancy dating can be confusing because it is measured from the first day of the last menstrual period, not from the date of conception. This means that by the time a pregnancy test is positive, a person is often already considered about 4 weeks pregnant. According to standard […]

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 […]