California Prenatal Screening Follow-up Services

If a woman has an abnormal California Prenatal Screening (CaPNS) test result, she will be referred to a state approved prenatal diagnosis center (PDC) for genetic counseling, ultrasound and possible prenatal diagnostic testing (CVS, amniocentesis). The services during this visit are part of the CaPNS program.

The Sacramento Maternal-Fetal Medicine office is a state approved PDC and provides follow-up services for women with an abnormal CaPNS test result.

You will meet with a genetic counselor who reviews your medical, family and pregnancy history. The counselor will confirm that the information provided to the laboratory was correct (incorrect information could result in an abnormal test result) and discuss your test results. Typically, counseling appointments are 45 minutes. After your counseling appointment, you will have an ultrasound examination. If the ultrasound confirms your estimated due date and does not reveal any obvious reason for the abnormal test result (e.g. unknown twins), you will be given the option of having prenatal testing, either CVS or amniocentesis depending on the gestational age of the pregnancy. If you decide to have prenatal testing, the procedure is performed using ultrasound guidance. Results are typically available in 14 days and you will be called with the results as soon as they are available. Your healthcare provider receives a letter summarizing the details of this appointment.

You should plan to be at our office for approximately 2 hours.

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