Annie is about to have the first-trimester screening done and she really wants to know what’s involved. 👉🏻Follow @babytalk.birthnurse for more fun pregnancy and birth education from a labour and delivery nurse👩⚕️ #preggolego 😍 The first-trimester screening is a combined test that calculates the probability of the fetus having certain chromosomal conditions, specifically Down syndrome and other trisomies. There are two different components: 1️⃣ A blood test to measure levels of two pregnancy-specific substances in your blood. PAPP-A and hCG. 2️⃣ An ultrasound to measure the clear space in the tissue at the back of your baby's neck. This is also called nuchal translucency. These tests are typically done between weeks 11 and 14. The laboratory uses a statistical calculation using the results of the blood test and ultrasound, in combination with your age to calculate the RISK that your baby will have a chromosomal abnormality. 📈 Note that it is only risk that is calculated. This is not a diagnostic test in any way. If the result comes back as high risk, this only means that your provider will have to do another type of test to know for sure whether this is going on.🧪🌡 Before you decide whether you’d like to have this test or not, it’s important whether to know what you will do with that information. In the unlikely event that your baby does have chromosomal abnormalities, you might be faced with the decision to terminate the pregnancy. Is that something you think you would do? The first-trimester screening is by no means a must! It’s a personal choice that parents must decide on.🧸 Did you have the first trimester combined screening? #babytalk #firsttrimesterscreening #firsttrimester #secondtrimester #thebump #pregnancydiary #combinedtest #ultrasound #12weekultrasound #beautifulbaby #babybump #babyprepping #babylist #preggo #preggers #bellybump #thebump #bumping #bumpie #firstpregnancy #firsttimemom #learnaboutyourbody#earlypregnancy #pregnancysymptoms #5weekspregnant #9weeks