What prenatal tests should older mothers undergo?
1. Ultrasound examination.
Ultrasound can confirm the pregnancy date and detect fetal abnormalities such as cleft palate or organ malformations. Two ultrasounds are typically recommended.
2. Maternal blood Down syndrome screening.
Down syndrome refers to a chromosomal abnormality in newborns, leading to intellectual disabilities and multiple congenital anomalies. Statistics show that older mothers have a higher risk of Down syndrome, so screening can estimate the probability of carrying a Down syndrome fetus.
III. Ectopic Pregnancy Screening. Ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal gestational occurrence. Older women are particularly susceptible to gynecological conditions that can compromise fallopian tubes, increasing ectopic pregnancy risk. Therefore, older pregnant women should take special precautions to prevent ectopic pregnancies.After confirming pregnancy, continued screening for ectopic pregnancy is essential. If diagnosed, immediate blood transfusion to replace blood loss is required, followed by laparotomy to remove the affected area.
Around week 11 of pregnancy, a biopsy needle is inserted through the cervix or abdominal wall into the uterine cavity to reach the placenta. A small sample of chorionic villi tissue is extracted for examination. This test can accurately detect fetal abnormalities.