There are a few diagnostic tools available to detect chromosomal abnormalities after a tubal reversal pregnancy occurs. Many women who had previously chosen to have their tubes closed are undergoing tubal reversal procedures many years later for want of another child or two. When a pregnancy occurs after the tubal reversal, some concerns crop up about conceiving a child with Down syndrome. These tests are not solely done for mothers after a tubal reversal pregnancy. Parents with a history of chromosomal abnormalities in the family are also encouraged to have these tests as well.
Second Trimester Screening Test for Down Syndrome
A Quad Screen is a maternal blood screening test that is similar to the Triple Screen Test (also know as AFP Plus and the Multiple Marker Screening). However, the Quad Screen looks for not only the three specific substances evaluated in those tests (AFP, hCG, and Estriol) but also a fourth substance known as Inhibin-A. It is done mainly to determine the risk of the pregnant mother carrying a child with Down syndrome. This blood analysis is usually performed between the 16th and 18th week of pregnancy. A high-risk mother is then advised to have further testing which will analyze cells from the fetus for the presence of structural chromosomal problems.
First Trimester Screening Test for Down Syndrome
Nuchal translucency ultrasound is a diagnostic tool used to evaluate the fetus for Down syndrome. It is performed between 11 to 13 weeks of pregnancy, and is usually combined with a plasma protein-A analysis. Lower levels of plasma protein-A from the 8th to the 14th week of gestation can indicate increased risk for Down syndrome and other gestational problems such as intrauterine growth restriction and premature delivery.
Other Tests Performed After a Tubal Reversal Pregnancy
Aside from the Quad Screen test, there are other tests which can be done following a tubal reversal pregnancy.
— Determination of inhibin A (IH-A)
— Amniocentesis
— Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
— Percutaneous umbilical cord blood sampling (PUBS)
— Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD)
