Early Pregnancy Monitoring

Early Pregnancy Monitoring and Screening (EPMS) in patients with a previous history of pregnancy losses or poor pregnancy outcomes is recommended for pregnant women of any age who would like early information about the health of a pregnancy without invasive testing. Serious chromosomal abnormalities are more commonly associated with pregnancies in women age 35 and older, but they can occur at any age. In fact, more babies with Down syndrome are born to women under age 35.

Early Pregnancy Monitoring and Screening (EPMS) is a non-invasive tool that combines hormone blood testing for Luteal Phase Assessment, a specialized ultrasound, and maternal blood for Fetal DNA Testing. Fetal DNA Testing isolates the fetus’s DNA (genetic material) directly in the mother’s blood. This DNA is then analyzed in the laboratory for the most accurate screening profile. Fetal DNA in maternal blood can accurately detect certain genetic conditions with no risk to the pregnancy.

The main conditions detected by fetal DNA [i.e., trisomies 21 (or Down Syndrome), 18 (or Edward Syndrome), 13 (or Patau Syndrome) with sex chromosomal anomalies and microdeletions are detectable at a rate of 99%. The false positive rate is very low. A genetic counselor will discuss with you the results of your Fetal DNA Testing and answer your questions (generally less than a week after your Fetal DNA Testing is done). Fetal DNA testing also allows for gender determination.

First Trimester Screening detects up to:

• 99% of pregnancies with Down syndrome, and
• 99% of pregnancies with Trisomy 18 or Trisomy 13.