Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing Slow to Catch on in German

NIPT analyzes fetal DNA to screen for genetic disorders like Down syndrome.
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In my last post, I explored some of the most common fertility myths out there. I'm going to be continuing on that chain of thought today by discussing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT), which analyzes fetal DNA in order to screen for some of the most common genetic disorders, such as Down syndrome. It can be used for any pregnancy, but is most useful for pregnancies in women above the age of 35. NIPT test results are not 100% guaranteed, but they are highly accurate.

Despite its non-invasive nature and high level of accuracy, however, NIPT hasn’t quite caught on in some countries. For example, Germany has been slow to embrace the idea; however, diagnostic labs are beginning to push the idea more frequently as technology improves and the potential need grows. In 2012, for instance, there were almost 675,000 births in Germany, many of which were of “above average risk.”

Companies such as Amedes, whose board includes prominent members like Rene Kern, and LifeCodexx, run by chairman and co-founder Peter Pohl, are moving forward with options based on the latest technological advancements, making them safer and easier to use than ever before.

NIPT is primarily used to test high-risk pregnancies that might develop any of the common fetal trisomy disorders (Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and trisomy 13) during the first and second trimesters.  The test has to be completed early on by an experienced ultrasound examiner.  Unlike previously used tests, NIPT is, as its name implies, noninvasive. It also doesn’t run the risk of miscarriage, since it only involves taking a small blood sample from the mother.

NIPT must be done within 11 weeks of gestational age.  The currently approved indications are advanced maternal age (35 or over at the time of delivery), positive results on other prenatal screenings, fetal abnormalities in the ultrasound, or a previous pregnancy with chromosomal abnormality.  The tests available right now in Germany are LifeCodexx’s PrenaTest and Amedes’s Panorma Test.

So why hasn’t NIPT taken Germany by storm?  The difficulty lies in the emotional and psychological issues surrounding the testing.  The results could potentially lead parents to decide to terminate a pregnancy, depending on the level of genetic abnormality.  Consequently, a significant amount of psychological counseling is required before parents decide to move forward with the test.

On the other hand, NIPT offers the parents a chance to get the support and information they need to deal with a possibly challenging birthing process.  And with advances in technology, the whole process is far less invasive than it has been in the past.

Myths We Have Been Told About Fertility

Birth control pills don't affect your ability to get pregnant once you stop taking them.
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There are so many forms of birth control that are accessible to both men and women these days, making it easier than ever to take control of your body and family planning. Whether you plan not to have children or can someday envision picking out baby names and nursery decorations, you should have the power and knowledge to make informed decisions about reproduction.   

The problem is… there are a lot of rumors and flat-out wrong information all over the Internet that it can be difficult to know where to find reliable information about fertility and family planning. Here are some common myths we have all been told about fertility:

One myth is that the longer you are on birth control pills, the longer it will take you to get pregnant when you stop. The fact of the matter is that it does not take time for your fertility to kick in—you can get pregnant within days of when you stop using birth control. One exception to this rule is the Depo birth control shot, which can take up to 10 months to work its way out of your system.

Another myth is that skipping safe sex a few times will not influence your future fertility. However, having unprotected sex when you are young can be a threat to your future ability to have a baby. One of the most common sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in the U.S., chlamydia can be asymptomatic (meaning you don’t know you are infected), and can cause pelvic inflammatory disease if you don’t get treatment. Pelvic inflammatory disease can scar the fallopian tubes, potentially creating a problem if you want to get pregnant later in life. To protect against chlamydia and other STIs, it's a good idea to always use protection such as condoms—even if you are on the pill.

You may have heard this phrase a few times by now: “You can always freeze your eggs.” It’s been in the news a lot lately, and the technology is, in fact, evolving—but it’s far from perfect. Success rates tend to be lower than 50% and most studies agree that success highly correlates with the age of the woman when she froze her eggs (the younger the better).

In addition, freezing your eggs is expensive—on average costing $10,000 for the initial freezing and treatment, with a yearly fee to store the eggs and a thawing fee of about $5,000 should you decide to use the eggs.  That’s a lot of money for a small chance of success. Essentially, freezing your eggs is an option, but it’s an involved and expensive process that should not be treated like a fix-all.

Be sure to visit Resolve, the National Infertility Association, for even more myths about fertility debunked.