Back to all topics

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, regular follow-up and testing are important for the health of the mother and baby. Advances in science and technology have significantly changed prenatal testing over time, resulting in new possibilities for information and care, but also raising new questions and debates.

How prenatal testing has changed

For several decades, combined first-trimester screening was the standard approach in many European countries. This screening combined information from maternal blood markers and ultrasound scans to estimate the likelihood of certain chromosomal conditions in the baby, such as Down syndrome. However, some critics have raised concerns that selectively testing for certain conditions may contribute to negative perceptions of disabilities and increase stigma.

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)

In the early 2010s, the introduction of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) led to significant changes in prenatal care in several countries. This test can identify chromosomal abnormalities through a blood test from the mother, since small parts of the baby’s DNA already circulate in her blood. In countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands, NIPT has become part of standard prenatal care, namely that it is offered to all pregnant women and is fully reimbursed. The test is safe and easy to perform, which has contributed to its widespread use.

Questions and considerations

While NIPT offers clear benefits, its routine use also raises important questions. Because the test is simple and widely available, there is a risk that people may have less time or support to reflect on whether they want this information and what it might mean for them. NIPT can also reveal a broad range of information, not only about the future child but sometimes also about the pregnant person’s own health. This raises questions about how much information should be shared, which results should be communicated, and at what stage to do so.

Ensuring that people can make informed and meaningful choices about prenatal testing requires clear information, appropriate counselling and space for reflection, taking into account personal values and circumstances.