At a glance
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) is a blood test done during pregnancy that screens the baby for certain chromosomal conditions by analysing small fragments of the baby's DNA that circulate in the mother's bloodstream.
During pregnancy, tiny pieces of fetal DNA (genetic material from the baby) pass through the placenta and mix with the mother's own DNA in her blood. NIPT collects a sample of that blood and uses laboratory sequencing to count and compare these fragments. Differences in the expected pattern can indicate that the baby has an extra or missing chromosome, which may cause conditions such as Down syndrome.
Medical Condition
NIPT is offered to pregnant women who want early information about the baby's chromosomal makeup, and it is particularly recommended when the pregnancy is considered higher risk.
- Screening for trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), where the baby has three copies of chromosome 21 instead of two.
- Screening for trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), a serious condition caused by an extra chromosome 18.
- Screening for trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome), caused by an extra chromosome 13.
- Checking for abnormalities in the sex chromosomes (X and Y), such as Turner syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome.
- Pregnancies in women aged 35 or older, where chromosomal risk is naturally higher.
- Pregnancies where an earlier ultrasound or blood screening showed an unusual result.
- Pregnancies conceived through IVF, in some clinical guidelines.
- Women who have previously had a baby with a chromosomal condition.
- Women who prefer to avoid the small miscarriage risk that comes with invasive tests such as amniocentesis or CVS (chorionic villus sampling).
NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. A result that suggests a problem does not confirm the diagnosis on its own, and a low-risk result does not guarantee the baby is unaffected. Your doctor will discuss whether a follow-up diagnostic test is appropriate.
NIPT may give unreliable results in certain situations.
- Pregnancies before about 10 weeks of gestation, because the amount of fetal DNA in the blood may be too low to analyse accurately.
- Twin or higher-order multiple pregnancies, where interpretation is more complex.
- Some cases where the mother has her own chromosomal variation.
- When the fetal DNA fraction in the sample is too low even after 10 weeks, which sometimes happens and usually requires a repeat test.
Risks & Complications
Because NIPT only requires a blood draw from the mother's arm and does not touch the pregnancy itself, it carries virtually no physical risk to the mother or baby.
- Brief discomfort, bruising, or minor swelling at the needle site, which resolves quickly.
- Rarely, a small haematoma (localised blood collection under the skin) at the draw site.
- A 'no result' outcome if the fetal DNA fraction in the sample is too low, requiring the test to be repeated.
- False-positive results, meaning the test suggests a problem that turns out not to be present after a confirmatory diagnostic test.
- False-negative results, meaning the test returns a low-risk result but a chromosomal condition is present. This is uncommon but possible.
- Emotional stress from a high-risk result, even before a confirmatory test is done.
- NIPT does not screen for all chromosomal or genetic conditions, so a low-risk result does not rule out every possible problem with the pregnancy.
Preparation & Procedure
NIPT requires very little physical preparation from the patient. There is no fasting required and no need to stop any regular medications beforehand. The test is usually performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy onward, so timing the appointment correctly is the main practical step.
Before the appointment, the doctor or genetic counsellor will usually review the patient's medical history, any previous pregnancy results, and family history of chromosomal or genetic conditions. This information helps determine whether NIPT is the most appropriate first step or whether a different test is more suitable.
Some clinics offer pre-test counselling to explain what the results can and cannot tell you, and what the follow-up options are if the result is high-risk. This conversation usually happens at the same appointment as the blood draw or just before it.
The procedure itself is straightforward.
- You arrive at the clinic or laboratory, and a nurse or phlebotomist (a specialist in taking blood) confirms your identity and pregnancy details.
- A small amount of blood, usually around two to three tubes, is drawn from a vein in your arm using a standard needle.
- The blood samples are labelled and sent to a specialist laboratory, which may be in a different city or country.
- The laboratory extracts and sequences the cell-free fetal DNA (tiny fragments of the baby's genetic material) present in your blood.
- Results are typically returned to your doctor within one to two weeks, though timelines vary between laboratories.
- Your doctor or counsellor contacts you to discuss the results and explain the next steps.
Aftercare
Recovery after NIPT is immediate. You can eat, drink, drive, and return to normal activities straight after the blood draw. The aftercare period is really about understanding and acting on the results rather than physical recovery.
- Keep a small plaster or bandage on the needle site for a few hours if any minor bleeding occurred.
- If the site bruises or feels sore, a cool compress applied briefly is usually enough to ease the discomfort.
- Wait for results in the timeframe your laboratory specifies, and know who to contact if the result window passes without news.
- If the result is reported as low-risk, discuss with your doctor whether further routine prenatal screening is still recommended.
- If the result is reported as high-risk, your doctor will usually recommend a confirmatory diagnostic test such as amniocentesis or CVS before any decisions are made.
- If the sample could not be analysed (a 'no call' result), a repeat blood draw will be arranged.
- Genetic counselling is recommended after a high-risk result to help you understand the findings and explore your options.
- Continue all regular antenatal (prenatal) check-ups as scheduled, as NIPT does not replace routine pregnancy monitoring.
Cost & What Determines It
The price of NIPT varies considerably depending on where the test is performed, which laboratory processes the sample, and how broad a panel of conditions the test covers. A basic screen for the three most common trisomies costs less than a panel that also includes sex chromosome conditions, microdeletions (very small missing segments of chromosomes), or genome-wide analysis.
- Scope of the panel: a standard trisomy screen costs less than an expanded panel covering microdeletions or additional chromosomal conditions.
- Laboratory used: samples sent to internationally certified laboratories, sometimes overseas, carry higher processing and shipping costs.
- Hospital or clinic class: a private specialist clinic in a major city charges differently from a general hospital or a standalone laboratory.
- Country where the test is performed: prices differ significantly between countries, which is why some patients choose to have NIPT done abroad.
- Whether genetic counselling is included or billed separately.
- Whether a repeat test is needed because the first sample had too little fetal DNA.
- Whether the result triggers additional tests such as a detailed ultrasound or a confirmatory invasive procedure, each of which carries its own cost.
Many hospitals and clinics offer a package that covers the blood draw, sample processing, result report, and one follow-up consultation. Genetic counselling, additional ultrasounds, confirmatory diagnostic tests, and repeat draws are usually billed separately if they are needed.
BPJS Kesehatan does not cover NIPT, and most Indonesian private health insurance policies also exclude it or classify it as an elective screening test. Patients who have NIPT done abroad pay out of pocket in almost all cases, unless they hold an international private insurance plan that explicitly covers prenatal genetic screening. Before travelling, ask the hospital for a written cost estimate that lists exactly what is included in the quoted price so there are no unexpected charges when you arrive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does NIPT hurt?
NIPT requires only a standard blood draw from your arm, so most people find it no more uncomfortable than a routine blood test. There are no needles entering the womb and no risk to the pregnancy from the procedure itself. The discomfort, if any, is brief and limited to the needle prick.
How do I prepare for NIPT? Do I need to fast?
No fasting is required before NIPT. You simply attend your appointment and have a small blood sample taken, usually from a vein in your arm. Your doctor may advise the best time in your pregnancy to have the test done, as it is typically offered from around ten weeks of gestation onward.
How long does it take to get NIPT results?
Results usually come back within one to two weeks, though the exact turnaround depends on the laboratory processing the sample. The blood is analysed for small fragments of fetal DNA (genetic material from the baby) circulating in your bloodstream. Your doctor or midwife will explain what the results mean for your specific pregnancy.
How much does NIPT cost?
The cost of NIPT varies depending on the panel chosen, meaning how many chromosomal conditions are screened for, as well as the class of hospital or clinic where it is performed. A written estimate from the hospital will give you an accurate figure based on your chosen options.
This page is general information, not a substitute for medical advice. Every case is different. Your doctor decides what is right for you.
