You will have a consultation with Dr. Wright to determine the specific needs of your situation. Most of our patients have fetal ultrasound at their first consultation. You will be offered additional testing as well. Some testing (such as blood screening for Down's syndrome and amniocentesis) is offered to all patients according to established standards. Other testing, specific to your situation, may also be offered to you.  Dr. Wright will discuss with you the risks your pregnancy faces, testing options, and what the available technology can and cannot do.  All testing is offered on a voluntary basis.  No testing or combination of testing can guarantee you a healthy baby.

Certain types of fetal testing, such as amniocentesis, do involve a small risk of pregnancy loss.  Amniocentesis is estimated to cause miscarriage in 0.5% to 0.06% of cases.  Because of this risk, we recommend that all our patients consider the value of such testing from their own perspective.  Some patients feel they need the high level of accuracy amnio can provide for certain specific defects.  Other patients choose to avoid amnio due to safety reasons.  We suggest that the patient and her partner, prior to visiting our office, discuss between themselves if they would consider the possibility of pregnancy termination if a birth defect were found.