Do I need to fast for the first-trimester screening at 12 weeks of pregnancy?
Early screening at 12 weeks of pregnancy usually does not require fasting. The detailed explanation is as follows:
Early screening is a routine prenatal test used to detect whether the fetus has chromosomal abnormalities, such as Down syndrome. Early screening typically includes blood tests and ultrasound examinations. The blood test involves drawing a small sample of blood from the pregnant woman to measure chromosomal markers in her bloodstream. These markers provide preliminary information about potential fetal chromosomal abnormalities. This test generally does not require the pregnant woman to fast or undergo any special preparation. The ultrasound examination uses ultrasound technology to observe the growth and structure of the fetus. It is usually performed by placing a small sensor on the pregnant woman's abdomen to generate ultrasound images, and fasting is not required for this procedure either.
It should be noted that early screening is only a screening tool and cannot provide a definitive diagnosis. If the early screening results indicate an elevated risk, further confirmatory testing—such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS)—may be needed. For high-risk individuals, doctors may recommend additional tests based on the specific circumstances.