NIPT at The Pregnancy Clinic
Advanced genetic screening in pregnancy, with expert consultant guidance
Clarity and confidence from the very beginning of pregnancy
At The Pregnancy Clinic, Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is offered within a fully consultant-led pathway of care. This integrates high-quality ultrasound assessment, personalised counselling, and expert interpretation-ensuring that results are not only accurate, but also meaningful and actionable.
Our approach is designed to provide reassurance without uncertainty, supporting you in making informed decisions with confidence.
Our NIPT service includes:
- Consultant-led pre-test and post-test counselling
- A full range of NIPT options from standard to comprehensive panels
- Integration with early pregnancy and first-trimester ultrasound
- Clear interpretation of results in a clinical context
- Guidance regarding further diagnostic testing where appropriate
Who should consider NIPT?
NIPT is suitable for any pregnancy where reassurance regarding genetic conditions is desired. It is particularly valuable for those who:
- Prefer the most accurate non-invasive screening available
- Wish to avoid uncertainty associated with traditional screening methods
- Would like early reassurance in pregnancy
- Have specific concerns based on history or prior screening
Why choose NIPT?
- Highest accuracy screening available for common chromosomal conditions (>99% detection for trisomy 21)
- Simple maternal blood test with no risk to the pregnancy
- Objective, DNA-based technology, not dependent on operator measurements
- Early testing from 10 weeks, allowing timely reassurance and planning
- Enables a more confident and informed pregnancy journey
When can NIPT be performed?
- From 10 weeks gestation onwards
- Gender determination available from as early as 7 weeks (on request)
Choosing the right NIPT option and Types of NIPT available
The most appropriate test depends on:
- The level of reassurance you would like
- The range of conditions you wish to screen for
- Your individual medical and pregnancy history
Broader testing does not always mean better testing.
In many pregnancies, focused high-accuracy screening provides the most meaningful reassurance, while broader panels may introduce complexity without always offering clearer answers.
At The Pregnancy Clinic, we explain these differences clearly so that you can choose a test that offers the right balance of reassurance, clarity, and clinical relevance for your pregnancy.
A considered, expert-led approach
While NIPT represents a major advancement in prenatal screening, it is essential that it is used thoughtfully and within the right clinical framework.
At The Pregnancy Clinic, our focus is not simply on offering tests, but on delivering:
- Clarity rather than confusion
- Reassurance grounded in evidence
- Expert guidance at every step
Our NIPT Partners
NIPT is suitable for any pregnancy where reassurance regarding genetic conditions is desired. It is particularly valuable for those who:
- Prefer the most accurate non-invasive screening available
- Wish to avoid uncertainty associated with traditional screening methods
- Would like early reassurance in pregnancy
- Have specific concerns based on history or prior screening
NIPT FAQs
NIPT stands for Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing. It is a blood test performed in pregnancy that analyses cell-free placental DNA circulating in the mother’s blood to estimate the chance of certain chromosome or genetic conditions in the baby.
Most NIPT tests are performed from around 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards. KNOVA’s published materials also state eligibility from 10 weeks.
No. NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. A high-chance result usually needs confirmation with CVS or amniocentesis before any irreversible decisions are made.
For the common trisomies, especially trisomy 21, NIPT is the most accurate screening test currently available, with better sensitivity and specificity than traditional serum-based screening. However, no screening test is 100% accurate.
No. A low-chance result is reassuring for the conditions screened, but it does not exclude all chromosome conditions, all genetic syndromes, or structural abnormalities. Ultrasound scans remain very important.
No. NIPT complements ultrasound; it does not replace it. Ultrasound can identify structural findings, confirm viability and gestation, and sometimes detect features that may alter the most appropriate genetic testing pathway.
Many NIPT platforms can report fetal sex, and some also screen for sex chromosome aneuploidies. This is usually discussed as part of pre-test counselling so that you can decide what information you would like to receive.
Not necessarily. Expanded microdeletion screening may appeal to some families, but professional bodies do not recommend routine general population screening for microdeletion conditions because the evidence base is less robust than it is for common trisomies. It is best offered only after careful counselling.
KNOVA is an expanded cfDNA screening test that includes the common trisomies, sex chromosome aneuploidies, selected microdeletions, and a panel of single-gene disorders. It is designed to widen the scope of non-invasive prenatal screening, but it remains a screening test and requires careful interpretation and, where necessary, confirmatory diagnostic testing.
No. Published KNOVA eligibility criteria indicate limitations in some pregnancy settings. The manufacturer notes that singleton pregnancies from 10 weeks are eligible for the comprehensive screen, while twins and egg-donor IVF pregnancies have more restricted eligibility, and higher-order multiples are not eligible. Other maternal and pregnancy factors may also affect suitability.
You should be offered prompt post-test counselling, review of your ultrasound findings, and discussion of further testing. Depending on the result, diagnostic testing such as CVS or amniocentesis may be recommended.
The best test depends on how much information you want, your views about broader screening, your pregnancy history, scan findings, family history, and whether you would want diagnostic testing if a screening result were abnormal. This is exactly why pre-test counselling is so important