NIPT screening in pregnancy
- Sally Goodwin
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
What it is, how it works, and how to decide if it's right for you
If you've recently had your booking appointment, you may have heard the term NIPT mentioned, perhaps by me, or family and friends. It can feel like a lot of new language to take in at once, I wanted to write something that explains the screening test.
All screening tests in pregnancy are optional, my role is to make sure you have clear, evidence-based information so you can decide what feels right for you.
What is NIPT?
NIPT stands for non-invasive prenatal testing. It's a blood test taken from you, (maternal blood test) that looks at small fragments of your baby's DNA circulating in your bloodstream. These are called cell-free fetal DNA, and from around ten weeks of pregnancy there's usually enough present in your blood for the test to work reliably.
The test screens for chromosomal conditions, the most common of which are:
Down syndrome (trisomy 21)
Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18)
Patau syndrome (trisomy 13)
Some versions of the test can also look at sex chromosome conditions, and many will tell you your baby's sex if that's something you'd like to know.
Is it the same as the NHS combined screening test?
No, though they screen for some of the same conditions. The NHS combined screening test, offered at around 11 to 14 weeks, looks at a measurement from your dating scan (NT measurement) combined with a blood test. It gives you a risk score, for example, a 1 in 500 chance of Down syndrome.
NIPT is more accurate than the combined test. It detects around 99% of cases of Down syndrome, compared to around 82 to 90% with the combined test. It also has a much lower false-positive rate, meaning fewer people receive an unexpected high-chance result that then turns out to be nothing to worry about.
It's worth knowing that NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. This is an important distinction. A screening test tells you the probability of your baby having a condition. A diagnostic test, such as an amniocentesis or CVS, can confirm or rule out a condition with certainty. If NIPT comes back with a high-chance result, the next step would usually be to discuss whether you'd like to have a diagnostic test before making any decisions.
When can it be done?
NIPT can be done from 10 weeks of pregnancy, confirmed by an ultrasound scan. It involves a straightforward blood draw, usually at a private clinic or laboratory, and results typically come back within five to ten working days.
Is NIPT available on the NHS?
As of 2024, NIPT is available on the NHS in certain circumstances, specifically following a higher-chance result from the NHS combined or quadruple test (a result between 1 in 2 and 1 in 150). This is part of the NHS Fetal Anomaly Screening Programme (FASP) evaluative rollout.
If your NHS screening result comes back as lower chance, or if you'd simply prefer not to wait and would like more detailed information earlier in your pregnancy, NIPT is available privately. The Doctors Laboratory (TDL Genetics), which is one of the UK's leading providers, is the laboratory I use if you are having the NIPT test done by me.
What does a private NIPT involve?
If you choose to have a private NIPT, here's what to expect:
A blood sample is taken from your arm at a clinic or collection point. (At home if it is with me). The NIPT is included in my complete birth package.
The sample is sent to the laboratory, where your baby's cell-free DNA is analysed.
Results are usually returned within five to ten working days.
In around 2 to 3% of cases, there isn't quite enough fetal DNA in the sample to give a result. If this happens, a second sample will be taken at no extra charge.
You'll receive a written report, but I will also phone you with results as soon as they are available
I prefer to obtain the blood test after 10 weeks and 3 days (confirmed by early USS) to reduce the risk of not enough cell-free fetal DNA and the need for a repeat, as any delay created by a repeat can lead to increased anxiety.
Do I have to have NIPT?
Absolutely not. This is a personal decision, some people feel strongly that they want as much information as possible during pregnancy. Others prefer not to screen, either because they feel clear about how they'd approach any outcome, or because the uncertainty of a screening result feels more anxiety-provoking than reassuring, both are completely valid.
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Written by Sally Goodwin RM, MSc, IBCLC | Sally Goodwin Private Midwifery | North East Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and the East Midlands
This content is for information purposes only and does not replace individual clinical advice. Please speak with your midwife or healthcare provider if you have any concerns.
About The Author
Sally Goodwin (RM, MSc, IBCLC) is an award winning Midwife and founder of Sally Goodwin Private Midwifery Services. With over 18 years of experience as a midwife, Sally has had the privilege of supporting countless women and families through their pregnancy, birth, and early parenthood journeys.
Sally offers a compassionate and holistic private midwifery service, offering tailored care for parents-to-be in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. From single appointments to full birth packages, providing expert support for pregnancy, birth, and beyond. Plus specialist care in lactation & tongue-tie release. Sally also runs the Mama & Baby Café in Chesterfield.
When she's not helping new parents and their babies, she's often found walking the Rupert the dog (and recording reels), being Mum to three grown up kids and Nana to two Grandies!
