Question
I am now three months pregnant and had my first prenatal check-up yesterday, where I had to take many blood tests, including liver function, thyroid function, and thalassemia. I am only supposed to have a Down syndrome screening later, but the doctor didn’t mention when to do it. When should the Down syndrome screening be conducted?
Answer
At three months pregnant, as long as there are no abnormal obstetric examinations, there is no need to worry about needing a Down syndrome screening and a 4D ultrasound in the future to detect malformations. The Down syndrome screening is usually conducted in two stages. The early Down syndrome screening is done between 11 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, and it should be done one day earlier. You need to do the early ultrasound screening in a timely manner. The mid-pregnancy screening is conducted between 14 weeks and 21 weeks of pregnancy. It is best to do it after 16 weeks of pregnancy.