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Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Safe and reliable non-invasive testing for chromosomal conditions
- Comfortable, private facilities
- Dedicated prenatal care for mother and baby
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NIPT at HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, we provide expert care and reassurance throughout your pregnancy by offering the latest tests and scans.
Non-invasive prenatal testing, also known as NIPT, is a safe and accurate blood test that can determine if your baby has a high or low chance of having Down, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndrome.
Whether you're looking for early detection or peace of mind, we’re here to support you through every step of the testing process and ensure that results are provided with medical guidance by one of our specialist consultants.
As part of your care, you’ll have access to an experienced and compassionate counselling team, who’ll listen to your concerns and support you through your choices.
NIPT stands for non-invasive prenatal testing. It’s a simple DNA blood test that helps screen for specific chromosomal conditions, including Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome. The blood is taken from your arm, so the test cannot harm your baby or cause miscarriage.
From week 10 of your pregnancy, the placenta releases cell-free DNA into your bloodstream, so your blood contains both your DNA and some from the placenta. By measuring the levels of DNA for chromosomes 21, 18 and 13 in your blood, the test can help determine if there’s a high or low risk of your baby having Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome.
These syndromes are all caused by what is called a ‘trisomy’, which means there are three copies of one chromosome present instead of two.
At HCA UK, we use the Illumina VeriSeq NIPT Solution v2 test. The test is safe and accurate way to screen for all three chromosomal conditions.
The test is available to all pregnant women from week 10 of pregnancy. You can choose to have the test after a nuchal translucency scan or later on in your pregnancy. You might wish to have the NIPT blood test first to find out whether your baby has a chance of having a chromosomal condition
The test is recommended to women who are aged 35 or over, have had a past pregnancy with chromosomal conditions or whose screening test suggests there’s a high chance of foetal trisomy. It can help parents prepare for the arrival of a baby who may need additional care.
However, NIPT is a screening test and not diagnostic, meaning further tests are needed to provide a definitive diagnosis.
It's important to remember that it's your choice whether to have the NIPT test or not. At HCA UK, our experienced counsellors offer a safe and confidential space in which you can discuss your concerns and talk through your options.
NIPT can be performed as early as week 10 of your pregnancy, when the placenta starts to release cell-free DNA into your bloodstream, and until your pregnancy reaches full term. The test results are typically available within five to seven days.
You'll have an ultrasound scan before the test to confirm the pregnancy and the gestation period and to ensure that your baby is developing well. Your specialist sonographer will then explain the non-invasive prenatal test to you and answer any questions you might have.
After the scan, you'll have a simple NIPT blood test that poses no risk to you or your baby.
The test shows your risk of your baby having a chromosomal condition. There are three possible outcomes:
Low risk: This means it’s very unlikely that your pregnancy is affected by trisomy 21, 18 or 13, and therefore very unlikely that your baby has Down, Edwards’ or Patau’s syndrome.
High risk: This means that your pregnancy is at increased risk for trisomy 21, 18 or 13. Your consultant may recommend that you have a diagnostic test such as amniocentesis or Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) to confirm the NIPT result, but this is entirely your choice.
No result/failed test: In a very small number of cases, tests may need repeating if there’s not enough cell-free DNA in your blood, of if there has been a technical problem with the testing.
It’s important to remember that NIPT is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. No screening test is 100% accurate and NIPT cannot tell for definite if your baby has Down syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome or Patau’s syndrome.
If the NIPT results show that your baby is at a higher risk, we’ll arrange a follow-up appointment with your consultant to discuss the results. Your consultant will carefully take you through your options, including diagnostic tests that can give you a definite diagnosis. Your consultant will also answer any questions you may have.
Fast access to a consultant
We’ll get you to your chosen specialist as quickly as possible
Comprehensive follow-up care
Expert support and medical guidance throughout your time with us
Onward referrals
We can refer you for further tests and to specialist clinics
Our locations
Where can I have my NIPT?
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street W1W 5AH London
The Portland Hospital Outpatients, 32 Wimpole Street
32 Wimpole Street W1G 8GT London
The Portland Hospital Outpatients, Hale
Unit 6 Crown Passages WA15 9GN Hale, Cheshire
Lister Fertility Clinic
Chelsea Bridge Road SW1W 8RH London
Your NIPT with HCA UK
What to expect
We’re dedicated to providing high-quality, compassionate care at our clinics throughout your pregnancy.
We understand that you’re likely to be feeling anxious before your NIPT. One of the ways we can put you both at ease is to let you know what will happen at each stage of the test.
If you have any questions that aren’t answered here, or in the FAQ section below, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team will be happy to help in any way they can.
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Booking your NIPT
You can easily schedule your appointment online or by phone, with the option to book individual scans and tests or comprehensive packages for extra peace of mind. Whether you're looking for reassurance or you're concerned about a previous test result, our specialist team can help you book the right screening test for you and your baby.
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During your NIPT
You’ll need to have an ultrasound scan just before the blood test to confirm the pregnancy and the gestation period and to ensure that your baby is developing well. Your sonographer will explain everything they can see on the scan, and you'll be able to ask them questions during the scan.
You'll then be given the NIPT, which is a simple blood test. You don't need to do anything to prepare for this and you'll be able to leave the clinic once your tests have been carried out.
The test results are usually available within five to seven days.
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After your NIPT
If any chromosomal abnormalities are detected in the blood test, we’ll arrange for you to have a follow-up appointment with your consultant to discuss the results. Your consultant will carefully take you through your options, including further tests, and answer any questions you may have.
Having further tests is entirely your decision and our experienced counselling team will be here to listen to your concerns and support you through the choices you make.
Having further tests is entirely your decision and our experienced counselling team will be here to listen to your concerns and support you through the choices you make.
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all of our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll give you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Non-invasive prenatal testing FAQs
It’s not possible just to be screened for one or two of the conditions, for example only Down syndrome. You’ll get results for all three conditions: Down, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndrome.
If your results show a high risk of one of the conditions, your consultant may recommend one of the following diagnostic pregnancy DNA tests:
- Amniocentesis: This is a procedure where a small amount of amniotic fluid is collected from the sac surrounding the baby. The fluid contains cells from the baby, which can be tested for chromosomal conditions. Amniocentesis is highly accurate in diagnosing conditions like Down syndrome.
- Chorionic villus sampling (CVS): CVS involves taking a small sample of tissue from the placenta, which shares the baby’s genetic material. It can be done earlier than amniocentesis (usually between 11-14 weeks of pregnancy) and provides similar accuracy for diagnosing chromosomal conditions.
As both of these tests are invasive, they carry a small risk of miscarriage, which will be discussed with you. It's entirely up to you whether you have any additional tests. You'll be offered prenatal counselling to help you make your decision, and our specialist team will be there to provide support and answer any questions you might have.
No, we offer a self-referral service at HCA UK. You can either book online to see the consultant of your choice, or you can call our customer support team on 020 7079 4344 and they’ll be happy to help you.
The accuracy can vary slightly depending on the specific condition, but overall, the NIPT blood test is considered to be the most accurate prenatal screening test available. If your results show a low risk, it means the chance of your baby having any of the conditions is less than one in 10,000.
NIPT also has very low false positive and false negative rates, meaning the likelihood of a healthy pregnancy being incorrectly identified as high risk is very low and vice versa.
It's important to know, however, that it's a screening test rather than a diagnostic test. Only further DNA testing during pregnancy can confirm a positive result. These tests are optional and it’s up to you whether you wish to have them.
Yes, you can have the NIPT test if you're expecting twins. The test works for both single and multiple pregnancies, as it analyses the foetal DNA in your blood. However, the results may be interpreted differently depending on the type of twins (identical or fraternal), and additional considerations might be needed. Your consultant will explain how the test works in this situation.
No, NIPT testing and Nuchal Translucency (NT) screening are not the same, although both are used to assess the chance of your baby having certain conditions during pregnancy.
NT screening involves an ultrasound measurement of the fluid-filled space at the back of your baby’s neck, combined with a blood test from you. It’s typically carried out between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.
NT screening assesses the likelihood of chromosomal conditions like Down syndrome, but it’s less accurate than NIPT and is considered a combined screening approach.
NIPT offers more accuracy and analyses fragments of foetal DNA circulating in your blood, providing more detailed information about your baby's genetic health. For this reason, it's considered a more advanced screening tool compared to other tests.
The test is generally considered safe and carries minimal risks. However, you might want to consider the following before making a decision:
Limited information: NIPT is a blood test that primarily screens for Down, Edwards' and Patau's syndromes. It does not test for all genetic conditions and may not provide information on other health concerns.
Emotional impact: The results of NIPT may lead to emotional stress or anxiety, especially if the test suggests a higher risk for specific conditions. Although NIPT is non-invasive, the psychological impact of having to consider further diagnostic testing (such as amniocentesis or CVS) can be significant, so it's important to consider potential outcomes and speak with a prenatal counsellor if you need support in making your decision.
We offer an NIPT separately and as part of our Early Pregnancy Scan & NIPT Packages, which start from £700 for two pregnancy scans and one NIPT test.
“Non-invasive prenatal testing provides valuable insights that empower you to make fully informed decisions about your pregnancy. At HCA UK, we can offer peace of mind and clarity, helping you feel confident in the choices you make. Our specialist team is here to support you through every step, ensuring you have the information you need throughout your pregnancy and beyond.”
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