A: During this time women who are pregnant will visit a midwife and have a basic scan and blood tests. Q: What screening tests are available and how can they be accessed? A: A screening test is different from a diagnostic test. A second method of screening is a blood test to analyse free fetal DNA in the mother’s blood stream. Those who avail of private healthcare can request a screening test be carried out earlier than 12 weeks, usually after 10 weeks.

Source: The Irish Times January 29, 2018 12:00 UTC