NIPT stands for Non-Invasive Prenatal Test. It is a screening test performed during pregnancy to determine if there is an increased risk that the unborn baby has certain genetic abnormalities, such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13). What makes this test special is that it poses no risk to the pregnancy, as it is performed in a non-invasive manner, specifically through a blood draw from the mother. In the mother's blood, DNA from the unborn child circulates, which can be analyzed to check for an increased chance of genetic abnormalities. It is important to understand that NIPT is a screening test, meaning that a positive result does not definitively mean the child actually has a genetic abnormality. In the event of a positive result, further testing, such as a chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis, is often recommended to confirm the findings. The NIPT test can be performed from the 12th week, around the same time as the first major ultrasound.