PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 1

General Information

Fetal health is of the highest importance when one is pregnant, and it involves assessing genetic and chromosomal factors. Various tests, invasive and noninvasive, are employed to detect such risks during pregnancy (Gross, 2019). Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) has been increasingly popular since 2011 to assess genetic abnormalities without risking the fetus’s life (Montgomery & Thayer, 2020). NIPT does not make any diagnosis but identifies heightened risks (Montgomery & Thayer, 2020).

Description of NIPT

NIPT scans cell-free DNA from the pregnant woman’s bloodstream with little danger, like a standard blood test (Montgomery & Thayer, 2020). NIPT detects common flaws like trisomy 21, 18, and 13 with a high degree of accuracy (Samura, 2020). NIPT can also detect the sex of the fetus and usually is performed around the tenth week of pregnancy (Montgomery & Thayer, 2020).

Benefits and Limitations

NIPT provides psychological advantages, minimizing stress on expectant parents (Kater-Kuipers et al., 2018). False reassurance is, however, a possibility given its imperfect nature, and false positives or negatives can result (Samura, 2019). Nevertheless, NIPT provides parents with time to prepare for the child’s possible medical requirements and enables closer surveillance during pregnancy (Montgomery & Thayer, 2020).

The Genetic Counselor

Genetic counseling is relevant to informing expectant parents about the implications of NIPT results (Kater-Kuipers et al., 2021). It helps manage complex decisions and provides assistance, such as referral to advocacy groups (Kater-Kuipers et al., 2021).

Conclusion

NIPT is safe and reliable for assessing fetal health, particularly in complex pregnancies. However, its use necessitates informed decision-making, which may be enhanced using genetic counseling.

PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 1 Noninvasive Prenatal Testing Overview 

Kater-Kuipers, A., Bunnik, E. M., de Beaufort, I. D., & Galjaard, R. (2018). Limits to the scope of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): an analysis of the international ethical framework for prenatal screening and an interview study with Dutch professionals. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 18(1), 409. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-018-2050-4

Labonté, V., Alsaid, D., Lang, B., & Meerpohl, J. J. (2019). Psychological and social consequences of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT): a scoping review. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 19(1), 385. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-019-2518-x

Montgomery, S., & Thayer, Z. M. (2020). The influence of experiential knowledge and societal perceptions on decision-making regarding non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20, 1-14. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12884-020-03203-4

PSY FPX 6010 Assessment 1 Noninvasive Prenatal Testing Overview 

Samura, O. (2020). Update on noninvasive prenatal testing: A review based on current worldwide research. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research, 46(8), 1246–1254. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jog.14268