Nova provides non-invasive prenatal testing (or NIPT). This is a blood test that screens for common genetic conditions in the developing fetus. The conditions screened can include:

• Down syndrome (an extra copy of chromosome 21; i.e. “trisomy 21”)
• Edwards syndrome (an extra copy of chromosome 18; i.e. “trisomy 18”)
• Patau syndrome (an extra copy of chromosome 13; i.e. “trisomy 13”)
• Abnormal numbers of the sex chromosomes; i.e. of the X or Y chromosomes
• Abnormal gain or loss of a large segment of a chromosome
• Abnormal gain or loss of an entire chromosome in just part of the developing placenta or fetus

The test requires a single blood draw, and can be done once you have reached 10 weeks’ gestation. Collecting a maternal blood sample for NIPT poses no threat to the fetus.