During pregnancy , you will undergo a series of tests  during your prenatal visit. Your provider will check your weight , urine and blood. These are routine tests. You may also have to undergo certain tests that will assess your baby’s risk for  certain birth defects.

It is recommended that all pregnant women regardless of their age be offered prenatal testing for Down  syndrome and other birth defects. There are two different tests that you can have. Screening test and diagnostic test.

What is the difference between a screening test and diagnostic test

Screening test : This helps evaluate your risk for a certain birth defects  but cannot diagnose the birth defect. The test doesnt pose any harm to the mother or baby. Some screening tests offered during pregnancy includes :

• cell-free fetal DNA testing also known as non invasive prenatal testing or screening
• first trimester screening
• maternal blood screening

Diagnostic test : This is highly accurate for diagnosing or ruling out specific birth defects. They however pose a small risk of miscarriage. These are done by obtaining the baby’s actual cells and are therefore invasive. Some women may decide to have a diagnostic test instead of a screening test based on their age and family history. Others also decide to go with the screening test and then depending on the results, go on to have a diagnostic test. Some of the diagnostic test  include the following :

• amniocentesis
• chorionic  villus sampling

If you have any concerns about these tests, discuss with your doctor.