Our Services First Trimester Pre-eclampsia Screening

What is Pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia is a serious condition that occurs in around 2 to 8% of pregnancies. While common in late pregnancies, it can also happen as early as 20 weeks of gestation or even 2 to 3 weeks after delivery. Severe pre-eclampsia can be life-threatening to both baby and mother.

What is the Cause of Pre-eclampsia?
Despite the cause being unknown, pre-eclampsia is associated with the following risk factors:
• An obstetric history of pre-eclampsia
• A medical history of hypertension, renal disease, diabetes or autoimmune disease, e.g. SLE (systemic lupus erythematosus)
• A family history of pre-eclampsia
• First pregnancy
• Advanced maternal age (≥ 40 years)
• Overweight (BMI ≥ 35kg/m2)

What are the Risks of Pre-eclampsia?
Pre-eclampsia may lead to organ damage and bleeding problems. It can be fatal if left untreated.

Risk to Mother:
• Lead to seizures
• Affect liver or kidneys
• Increase chance of stroke
• Increase chance of bleeding from placenta

Risk to Baby:
• Increase risk of pre-term birth
• Restrict fetal growth
• Increase chance of stillbirth

In view of the above serious complications, latest research has shown that early screening is effective in identifying mothers at risk for timely implementation of preventive measures.

What Do We Need to Do in this Screening Test?
• Obtain obstetric and medical history
• Maternal blood taking
• Measure blood pressure on both arm twice
• Ultrasound examination of uterine artery blood flow by doctor

When Should this Test be Done?
Pregnant women with a singleton pregnancy can undergo this screening test from 11+0 to 13+6 weeks of gestation.

When Will the Result be Available?
The result of estimated risk pre-term pre-eclampsia will be available in approximately 3 working days.

If you are considered high risk for pre-eclampsia after screening, you will be invited to attend a follow-up consultation for further counselling.