Everything you need to know about NIPT

Sponsored by Femcare

Many parents-to-be want to know early on how the baby in their belly is doing, and what sex it is. NIPT is a test done through a regular blood sample from your arm and can provide early information about the pregnancy, as early as 10+0 weeks of pregnancy.

When you are pregnant, small pieces of your baby's DNA are present in your blood. NIPT analyzes these small pieces and can show the likelihood of certain chromosomal abnormalities. The test is completely risk-free and is performed through a simple blood test—nothing is inserted into the stomach and the baby is not affected at all.

In this article, Femcare tells you everything you need to know about NIPT.

What is NIPT?

For many expectant parents, NIPT provides peace of mind while awaiting the next stage of pregnancy.

NIPT stands for Non-Invasive Prenatal Test, which means it is a test that does not enter the body and poses no risk to the pregnancy. The test results are used to assess the likelihood of certain common chromosomal abnormalities in the fetus and to determine its sex. NIPT is done by taking a blood sample from the pregnant woman. An ultrasound is often offered in conjunction with NIPT - something many parents-to-be appreciate in early pregnancy.

How does NIPT work?

During pregnancy, small fragments of fetal DNA circulate in the pregnant woman's blood via the placenta. In an NIPT test, a blood sample is taken from the arm and then analyzed in a laboratory.

It looks at how the chromosomes are distributed in the DNA to see if there is an increased likelihood of any chromosome occurring in extra sets.

Before sampling, an ultrasound is usually done to

• confirm pregnancy week
• see how many fetuses there are

Femcare recommends that a previous ultrasound is a maximum of one week old when you perform NIPT.

What can NIPT show?

NIPT shows the probability of certain chromosomal abnormalities. Chromosomes are the genetic building blocks of the body, and normally we have two of each.

In some cases, there are three copies of a chromosome – this is called trisomy.

NIPT primarily analyzes:

• Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
• Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
• Trisomy 13 (Pataw syndrome)

Depending on the test, you can also obtain information about:

• sex chromosome abnormalities (such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome)
• the sex of the fetus (if you want to know)

It is important to know that NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnosis. It shows how likely something is – not a definite yes or no.

What does the answer mean?

Low probability

The risk of chromosomal abnormalities is very small. For most people, this is reassuring news and no further tests are needed.

High probability

The risk is elevated. In this case, a discussion and the possibility of further investigations are always offered to get a definite answer.

You will always receive support and clear information on the next steps.

NIPT or KUB – what is the difference?

Whether and when NIPT is offered within the public healthcare system varies between regions. Often, KUB is offered first, and NIPT may be considered in cases of increased probability or specific medical reasons. For this reason, many choose to have NIPT done privately.

KUB is another test that combines:

• blood test
• ultrasound
• the age of the pregnant woman

It provides an estimate of probability, but is less accurate and produces more false positives. NIPT gives 99% accurate results for Trisomy 21, slightly lower for Trisomy 13 and 18, and is therefore the most sensitive option.

NIPT instead analyzes fetal DNA directly, resulting in higher reliability and fewer incorrect test results. For many, this means less worry and fewer unnecessary further tests.

Are all NIPT tests the same?

No. There are different NIPT tests available, and their quality may vary.

Femcare uses Harmony NIPT, one of the world's most well-studied tests. It has been used in millions of pregnancies globally and has a very high accuracy rate.

Harmony also measures something called fetal fraction—that is, how much of the DNA in the blood sample actually comes from the fetus. This is an important quality control measure to ensure reliable results.

At Femcare, you can choose NIPT Basic, which examines the three most common chromosomal abnormalities, or NIPT Plus, which additionally examines abnormalities on the sex chromosomes. You choose whether you want to know your gender, and there is no extra charge.

What happens if something needs to be followed up?

If NIPT shows a high probability, further tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, may be offered. These can provide a definitive answer but involve a small risk and are therefore only performed if there is reason to do so.

Remember: how you choose to proceed is always your decision.

When can I take the test?

You can have NIPT done at Femcare from as early as 10+0 weeks of pregnancy. If you choose to have NIPT done privately at Femcare, you do not need a referral.

NIPT at Femcare

At Femcare, you will be met by experienced healthcare professionals who will take the time to explain, answer questions and support you throughout the process. When you do your NIPT test at Femcare, you will receive an answer within 4-9 days.

If no increased risk of deviation is detected, you will receive an answer digitally via BankID login. If there is an increased risk of deviation, we will call you and recommend further investigation.

💛 No matter how much or how little you want to know, Femcare is here to support you in your choice.

👉 Book NIPT at Femcare

The analysis takes place at Life Genomics, which is Sweden's only private accredited NIPT laboratory. Life Genomics has offered NIPT since 2015, and performs the analysis in its own laboratory in Gothenburg.