What is a placental sample?

A placental sample (also called a placental biopsy) can be used to determine whether your baby has certain hereditary diseases or chromosomal abnormalities.

A placental sample can be taken from the 10th week of pregnancy onwards. A placental sample is not the same as an amniotic fluid sample - in this case it is the amniotic fluid that is examined. That examination can only be carried out from the 16th week of pregnancy onwards.

There is a 0.5% risk of miscarriage in connection with a placental sample.

When is a placenta sample offered?

There are various reasons why a placental sample is offered. Among others:

• If a high risk of chromosomal abnormalities has been found during the nuchal translucency scan (also called the 12-week scan)
• If there are certain hereditary diseases in your or your partner's family
• If signs of malformations are found during a scan

How is a placenta sample performed?

A doctor, with the help of a sonographer (scanning midwife or nurse), carries out the examination. First, your abdomen is disinfected, then a scan is performed to determine the location of the placenta. While the scan is being performed, a thin needle is inserted through the skin of your abdomen. It usually feels like a prick. A tiny piece of the placenta is removed through the thin needle.

It only takes a few minutes. You are welcome to bring your partner or another companion with you.

After sampling

You will stay in the ward for 15 minutes after the examination. You will then need to take it easy for the rest of the day.

Many people experience menstrual-like discomfort and/or a feeling of heaviness in the hours after the test. For most people, the pain disappears within the first 24 hours. If pain or bleeding persists, you should contact your doctor or emergency room.

Risks of placental sampling

In connection with a placenta sample, there is a small risk of miscarriage. The risk is 0.5%.

Answer to the placenta test

You will receive the test results within 1-2 weeks. This depends on which tests are performed on the placenta sample. If desired, the baby's gender can be provided when you receive the results.

The vast majority of people who have a placental biopsy will have a normal result. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge the emotional pressure of going through a testing process and coming out on the other side - even if the result is positive. Please speak to your midwife,

Talk to your doctor, friends and/or family about it. And know that many others besides you have gone through one of the 2 tests. You are not alone!

If the answer is not normal, you will be offered a conversation. Here, information about the findings is reviewed and advice and information is given, including the possibility of choosing an abortion. If it turns out that the baby has a chromosomal abnormality, it is very normal to want to talk to parents of children with the same chromosomal abnormality, as part of the process of getting clarification. Such a conversation can be easily arranged.

There may be many thoughts and feelings involved in the process of getting clarity. It may also be that one of you is clear and the other is in doubt. And that may change over the coming days. I would like to encourage you to pay attention, talk thoroughly together several times and also talk to, for example, a midwife or other relevant people. The final decision is yours, which in itself can feel like a burden.

Whatever you choose, I send you loving hugs and thoughts! Please know that you are welcome to contact me during the process.

Most affectionately

Siff Stephenson, HeartMidwife