What is the anatomy scan? The anatomy scan is a structured ultrasound examination performed in the second trimester to evaluate fetal anatomy and growth. It is commonly called the 20-week ultrasound because it often takes place near the halfway point…

What amniocentesis is and why it may be recommended Amniocentesis is a diagnostic test, not a screening test. This distinction matters. Screening tests estimate the chance of a condition, while diagnostic tests can often confirm or rule out specific chromosomal…

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…

What NIPT is and why it is used NIPT is a prenatal screening test performed on a blood sample from the pregnant person. The sample contains circulating cell-free DNA, often called cfDNA. During pregnancy, a portion of this cfDNA comes…

How pregnancy ultrasound works Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves emitted from a transducer. These waves travel through tissue and return as echoes that are converted into images on a screen. In pregnancy, ultrasound can show fluid-filled spaces such as the…

Understanding the main types of pregnancy clinicians Pregnancy care can be organized in several safe and evidence-informed ways, depending on the pregnancy and the local healthcare system. An OB-GYN is a physician trained in obstetrics, gynecology, surgery, and management of…

Why prenatal visit frequency matters Prenatal visits create repeated opportunities to identify risk early, track physiologic adaptation to pregnancy, and support shared decision-making. Many complications, including gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, fetal growth restriction, anemia, infection, and mood disorders, may…

When to schedule the first prenatal appointment Many clinics schedule the first prenatal visit around 8 weeks of pregnancy, calculated from the first day of the last menstrual period, although timing can vary. Some people are seen earlier, especially if…

What hCG is and why it rises in early pregnancy hCG is produced by trophoblastic tissue, which later contributes to the placenta. After implantation, hCG enters the bloodstream and then the urine, which is why it can be detected by…

What is hCG? Human chorionic gonadotropin is a glycoprotein hormone produced primarily by placental trophoblast cells after implantation. Its early role is to support the corpus luteum, which helps maintain progesterone production until the placenta becomes more hormonally self-sufficient.In practical…