Most pregnancies end with the birth of a healthy baby. However, every pregnant woman has a small chance of having a baby with a birth defect. Prenatal testing can help find some of these birth defects before a baby is born. Prenatal tests cannot detect all birth defects or all types of mental retardation. Prenatal tests are available for all pregnant women, of any age. The tests are optional, so the decision to have testing, or no testing at all, is up to you. The pros and cons will be discussed with you during your prenatal appointment.

Amniocentesis
Chorionic Villus Sampling
Expanded Alpha-Fetoprotein (XAFP)
Prenatal Testing for Birth Defects: Helping You Decide
Prenatal Testing: Screening & Diagnosis