What tests are there to see if the child in the womb is healthy (specifically mental retartation)?

Answer 1

Those are your quad screenings, they do them between 15-20 weeks gestation.

here's what it looks for:

* Down syndrome or other chromosome problems
* brain or spinal cord defects (also called neural tube defects), such as spina bifida (the spine has not closed normally) and anencephaly (all or part of the brain is missing)
* a failure of your baby's abdomen to close, so that the intestines are held in a sac outside the abdomen
* a defect in the esophagus (food pipe)
* kidney problems
* severe skin problems.

These blood screening tests detect:

* 95% of cases of anencephaly
* 80% of serious cases of spina bifida
* 60% or more of the cases of Down syndrome.
-------

This test is also followed with a sonogram to visually check the development of the brain, organs, and structures.

Answer 2

If you feel that you are high risk for something happening to your baby, or that something isnt right (mother's intuition), talk to your doctor. You can get an aminocentisis (sp??). It is where they stick a very very long needle into your womb (watching through an ultrasound, so as not to prick the baby). It hurts like an SOB, and unless you feel that there is something to worry about, it is not worthwhile. What are you going to do with the results? Are you going to love the child any less?? It is a risky procedure, and can cause some problems. You need to weigh that up in your mind. Personally, I would love my child regardless, and knowing if they were mentally retarded or not, earlier rather than later (considering there is nothing that can be done to fix it), would not be worth the risks. And, it hurts!! You have a really severe contraction, that lasts a hell of a lot longer than a regular contraction!! Good LUCK!

Answer 3

There are several routine blood tests that are done at varying times during your pregnancy that are effective at detecting various birth defects including some types of mental retardation. They can also do amniocentisis to screen for other types, but this is usually only done if there are specific risk factors, so you should discuss that with your doctor.

When you have an ultrasound, they do look at the organs, including the brain to be sure everything is forming as it should and working properly.

Answer 4

they have the afp test which is done when you are 16 weeks pregnant and they also can do a amnioscenties (sp) if the afp comes back with high levels hope this helps

Answer 5

pink - Robert C. Reisig the guy that i appreciate very a lot. Yellow - My chum, Orange - My chum, White - canines, eco-friendly - Robert C. Reisig the guy that i appreciate very a lot. i'm a Leo.