If you’re healthy, your pregnancy is uncomplicated, and you have no particular risks – wonderful! In that case, you can trust that the regular check-ups with your midwife or gynecologist are enough. If you are considered a high-risk pregnancy, however, you may be offered additional examinations. When these are medically necessary, they are usually covered by statutory health insurance.
If a routine check-up reveals a possible concern, the first step is referral to a prenatal specialist. These are gynecologists with advanced training who can perform very detailed ultrasound scans. If the suspicion is confirmed, you’ll have an in-depth consultation to understand what the result means for you and your baby. You’ll discuss whether further monitoring is needed, if giving birth at a specialized clinic is recommended, or if your baby might need special care after birth. There’s also plenty of time to ask all your questions. Even though diagnostics take place in medical practices, your midwife is always there to support you.
An example of invasive prenatal diagnostics:
Amniocentesis: For this test, a small amount of amniotic fluid is carefully taken from the amniotic sac with a fine needle, guided by ultrasound to ensure the baby is not harmed. The fluid is then analyzed in a lab for genetic abnormalities. While this test is very reliable, it does carry a small risk of complications such as premature rupture of membranes and, rarely, miscarriage. That’s why it’s only offered if there’s a strong medical reason. After a short rest in the clinic, you can go home and should take it easy for the rest of the day. About a week later, your doctor will contact you to discuss the results.
Depending on your stage of pregnancy, similar tests may also be performed using placental cells (chorionic villus sampling) or umbilical cord blood (cordocentesis).
