Prenatal Screening: New Guidelines, New Challenges
Abstract
Preconceptual and prenatal counseling recommendations have changed significantly over the past 12 months. Since January 2007, two new prenatal screening and testing practice bulletins have been published by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists (ACOG).1,2 These changes are substantive and impact every clinician providing counseling to women who are pregnant or are considering pregnancy. These recommendations are also changing the prenatal experience for women; they will certainly notice the difference if this is not their first pregnancy. Clinicians must be prepared to answer patient questions, provide accurate information, and order the correct tests at the appropriate times. This article reviews the recent screening recommendations and describes the advantages and limitations of the screening tests.
1 Rita W. Driggers, MD, is director of maternal/fetal medicine at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Diane C. Seibert, PhD, CRNP, is associate professor and director of the family nurse practitioner program at the Graduate School of Nursing, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences in Bethesda, Maryland. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, the Uniformed Services University, the Department of Defense, or the US government. In conjunction with national ethical standards, the authors report no relationships with business or industry that represent a conflict of interest.
ABSTRACT