A baby’s health is one of the most important aspects of pregnancy and a priority for every mother. Specialist prenatal tests enable the early detection of foetal abnormalities and ensure the best possible care is provided as quickly as possible.
Book a consultation today.
Put simply, prenatal screening is a set of tests and examinations carried out during pregnancy to assess the baby’s health before birth. These tests enable the early detection of any genetic defects, diseases or other developmental disorders, giving doctors the opportunity to take action as soon as possible.
Prenatal screening plays a key role in monitoring the health of the foetus and the mother.
The tests recommended by the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians enable not only the assessment of the risk of birth defects, but also the initiation of appropriate treatment, either during the foetal stage or immediately after the baby is born. Such early detection of any abnormalities gives doctors time to initiate treatment when the prognosis is most favourable.
An often overlooked but equally important aspect of prenatal screening is the peace of mind it provides for the expectant mother. Regular check-ups reduce uncertainty and stress, giving parents confidence in their baby’s health.
Prenatal testing includes obstetric ultrasound scans, which assess foetal development, and specialist blood tests for the mother. If a disease or birth defect is detected, additional invasive prenatal tests are carried out to enable detailed genetic diagnosis.
Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a modern solution which, without posing any risk to the baby, combines the greatest advantages of both invasive and non-invasive tests.
Prenatal ultrasound is a key component of antenatal care. During the appointment, the gynaecologist checks all the key indicators of foetal development, enabling them to calculate the risk of genetic abnormalities as accurately as possible. Prenatal ultrasound scans are performed exclusively by gynaecologists holding FMF (Fetal Medicine Foundation) certification, which confirms their practical and theoretical skills in performing ultrasound scans during pregnancy.
Blood tests complement ultrasound scans. The key test here is the dual test, known as the PAPP-A test, which indicates whether there is an increased risk of the baby having trisomy (the presence of an extra chromosome), which is the cause of many genetic disorders. The β-hCG test is used to accurately determine the concentration of the hormone of the same name in the mother’s blood. A low concentration may indicate, for example, a risk of miscarriage, whilst a high concentration may suggest the onset of a trophoblastic disease.
Invasive prenatal tests are carried out when non-invasive tests indicate an increased risk of genetic abnormalities in the baby. One of the most commonly performed tests is amniocentesis, during which a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected for analysis. In addition, chorionic villus sampling is sometimes carried out, which provides information about the baby’s chromosomes by taking a sample of placental tissue, or cordocentesis, which involves taking a blood sample from the foetus’s umbilical cord.
Non-invasive prenatal tests (e.g. NIPTIFY, Panorama) are advanced tests that analyse free foetal DNA circulating in the mother’s blood, enabling an assessment of the risk of genetic abnormalities in the baby.
The tests are completely safe and can be carried out from as early as the 10th week of pregnancy. The results are highly accurate, which means that, to a certain extent, they can serve as an alternative to invasive prenatal tests.
At INVICTA Clinics, our priority is to ensure the highest levels of safety and support at every stage of pregnancy.
All our doctors who carry out prenatal testing hold FMF certificates and a Certificate of Competence in Prenatal Testing, which guarantees the reliability of the results you receive.
We carry out ultrasound scans using the most advanced equipment in the world, which enables us to obtain a very detailed and rapid image. You’ll be able to see your baby’s development with your own eyes.
The INVICTA Group operates certified medical diagnostic laboratories, which are widely regarded as among the best in Poland and worldwide. You can be confident in the results of your tests,
The current standard of antenatal care, drawn up by the Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, forms the basis of our day-to-day practice. Your baby will receive the best possible care.
All INVICTA clinics are fully accredited to carry out the National Health Fund’s prenatal screening programme. This means that patients with a referral can have all their tests carried out on site without any hassle or unnecessary waiting.
90% of the couples surveyed would recommend the doctor to their friends after their appointment, giving a rating of 9 or 10 on a scale of 0 to 10. We know you’ll feel right at home with us.
All you need to do is fill in the contact form or call our helpline and choose a convenient appointment time. If you’re planning to have the test covered by the National Health Fund (NFZ), you’ll need a referral from a gynaecologist – regardless of whether it was issued during a private consultation or under the NFZ. You can have the scan at one of the six INVICTA clinics: in Gdańsk, Warsaw, Wrocław, Bydgoszcz, Słupsk and Gdynia.
Our consultant will contact you to provide all the necessary information and explain how to prepare for the scan.
During the scan, our doctor will ask you to lie down on the examination couch and will examine the area around your uterus using a dedicated ultrasound scanner. At the end of your appointment, you’ll receive a full report on your baby’s health and any recommendations for the next steps.
Every gynaecologist carrying out prenatal examinations at INVICTA Clinics holds an FMF (Fetal Medicine Foundation) certificate confirming their knowledge and skills in performing specialist prenatal examinations on pregnant women.
INVICTA Clinic, Gdańsk
INVICTA Clinic, Gdańsk
INVICTA Clinic, Gdańsk
INVICTA Clinic, Wrocław
INVICTA Clinic, Słupsk
INVICTA Clinic, Wrocław
INVICTA Clinic, Wrocław
INVICTA Clinic, Gdańsk
INVICTA Clinic, Gdynia
INVICTA Clinic, Warsaw
Our patients’ stories
All INVICTA clinics are providers under the government’s programme of preventive antenatal screening, carried out under a contract with the National Health Fund (NFZ). The only requirement for free screening is a referral issued by the doctor managing the pregnancy.
At INVICTA Clinics, we guarantee a consistently high standard of care, regardless of whether the appointment is a private consultation or covered by the National Health Fund (NFZ). Consultations take place at the same location and last for the same duration as private appointments. This allows the doctor to take a thorough medical history, carry out an examination and analyse the results. Thanks to specially reserved slots for last-minute appointments, every patient can count on a prompt consultation without unnecessary waiting.
Prenatal screening is recommended for all pregnant women, but particularly for those aged over 35, those with a family history of genetic disorders, those who have previously had pregnancies involving birth defects, or those where health problems are suspected.
Non-invasive prenatal tests, such as ultrasound scans or blood tests, are completely safe for both the mother and the baby.
Invasive tests carry a risk of complications and are therefore only used as a last resort. For amniocentesis, the risk of complications ranges from 0.1% to 0.3%; for chorionic villus sampling, it is around 0.5%; and for cordocentesis, it is around 1–2%. Your doctor will discuss the exact risk with you each time before the test is carried out.
Non-invasive prenatal tests are designed to assess the risk of genetic defects or other abnormalities in the foetus, but they do not provide a definitive diagnosis. The PAPP-A test has a sensitivity of 90 per cent, and when combined with an ultrasound scan, the reliability of the results rises to 95 per cent.
Non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPT) are among the most accurate tests available, with an accuracy rate of up to 99 per cent.
In the event of a positive result from a non-invasive test, invasive tests are recommended, which in practice provide almost 100 per cent certainty regarding the presence or absence of genetic abnormalities.
Prenatal testing is effective at detecting the most common genetic disorders and aneuploidies (chromosomal abnormalities), but it does not detect all possible genetic disorders.
These tests are less effective at detecting rare and complex genetic disorders resulting from interactions between multiple genes or from environmental factors.
Yes, all prenatal tests can be carried out during a twin pregnancy, but interpreting the results and ensuring the accuracy of the tests may be more complicated than in the case of a singleton pregnancy.
If the results of prenatal tests indicate any abnormalities, your doctor will discuss the next steps with you, which may include further tests, consultations with genetic specialists, and, in some cases, a decision regarding treatment during pregnancy or planning for postnatal care.
