Sydney Ultrasound for Women is a premier destination for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) in Sydney. Our advanced NIPT, called nest™, offers expectant parents peace of mind and crucial insights into their baby’s health early in pregnancy, without any risk to the developing baby.
What is NIPT?
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing is a ground-breaking screening method that helps identify the most common chromosomal conditions that could affect your baby’s health. With just a simple blood draw, available from the 10th week of pregnancy, NIPT screens for conditions like Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edward syndrome (trisomy 18), Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), and more. Our nest™ test, available at Sydney Ultrasound for Women, uses cutting-edge massively parallel sequencing technology to provide accurate, fast results.
Why Choose Sydney Ultrasound for Women for Your NIPT?
Choosing where to have your NIPT done is a crucial decision. At Sydney Ultrasound for Women, we not only provide the latest in prenatal screening technology but also a comprehensive care model that puts you and your baby’s health first.
- Comprehensive Care: Our patients receive a pre-NIPT viability scan and a blood test for pre-eclampsia screening at no additional cost.*
- Expert Team: Gain access to our experienced nursing and genetic counselling team to discuss your results and next steps.
- Accredited Excellence: We are dedicated to offering the best patient outcomes through our accredited services and cutting-edge technology.
Getting Started
Beginning your NIPT journey is straightforward. Simply ask your GP or Obstetrician for a referral to Sydney Ultrasound for Women for an NIPT test. We will then schedule an appointment for your pre-NIPT ultrasound scan and blood collection. Our goal is to provide you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your pregnancy in a supportive, caring environment.
Is NIPT Right for You?
NIPT is a valuable option for all expectant parents looking to learn about their developing baby’s health in a safe, accurate manner. Whether you’re seeking peace of mind or need to know about potential chromosomal conditions early on, NIPT at Sydney Ultrasound for Women is here to guide you through your pregnancy journey.
Take the first step towards understanding your baby’s health today. Ask your healthcare provider to refer you to Sydney Ultrasound for Women for NIPT and experience the highest standard of prenatal care.
For more information or to schedule your appointment, contact us today.
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Common Questions
A sample of your blood is drawn and the genetic material (DNA) from you and your baby is tested. Sydney Ultrasound for Women’s Non-Invasive Prenatal Test (NIPT) is called nest™. It uses an advanced technology called ‘massively parallel sequencing’ to analyse millions of DNA fragments per sample and accurately count the number of chromosomes present.
Chromosomes typically come in pairs. Most individuals have 23 pairs of chromosomes. NIPT looks for extra or missing copies of chromosomes in a fetus. Our nest™ test uses a whole genome approach which provides information about all 23 pairs of chromosomes in addition to large chromosomal deletions or duplications. The most common chromosomal conditions in pregnancy include trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), trisomy 18 (Edward syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), all of which can be accurately screened. In singleton pregnancies, nest™ also screens for sex chromosome conditions, including Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome, Triple X syndrome and Jacob syndrome. You can also elect to have the sex of the baby reported to you if desired.
Although more accurate than traditional prenatal screening methods, nest™ is not a diagnostic test. This means it can’t give you a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answer. Your results will tell you and your doctor whether your pregnancy is at increased chance of common chromosome conditions. In the case of a high probability result, your doctor and a Sydney Ultrasound for Women Genetic Counsellor will discuss what the results mean to your pregnancy as well as further testing options to consider.
Your test will include one of two possible results:
- Low probability – means the expected number of chromosomes were found.
- High probability – means too many or too few copies of one of the chromosomes have been identified. This indicates an increased chance of a chromosome condition but does not mean your pregnancy is affected with that condition. Consideration of prenatal diagnostic testing is recommended for confirmation, and Sydney Ultrasound for Women can provide this within 48 hours.
For those expecting twins, rest assured that NIPT is still an accurate screening option for chromosomal conditions. The test is available for twin pregnancies, offering critical insights into the health of your babies.
When it comes to determining the sex of twins, however, the process depends on whether or not a Y chromosome is detected. If there is a Y chromosome present, that can indicate at least one baby is a boy. If there is no Y chromosome present, that indicates that both babies are likely to be girls. NIPT is unable to confirm if both twins are boys, however. This information can be later confirmed by ultrasound at 20 weeks.
Our team of expert nurses and genetic counsellors can talk to you about this in more detail at your appointment. Should you have immediate questions or need more information regarding NIPT for twin pregnancies, we encourage you to call us on 1300 557 226.
*Blood test for pre-eclampsia screening available in first trimester only. Out-of-pocket costs apply for patients without Medicare.
