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Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing

NIPT in Nagpur
Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening

Highly accurate chromosomal screening from a simple blood test — no risk to your baby, no needles near your womb. Expert counselling before and after your results by Dr. Kunda Shahane.

Dr. Kunda Shahane — MBBS, MS (Obs & Gynae), FIFM, FMF (London) Central India's First Fetal Medicine Specialist · Pre & Post NIPT Counselling
🩸 Simple Blood Test — No Risk to Baby ✅ >99% Down Syndrome Detection ⏱ From 10 Weeks of Pregnancy 📋 Expert Counselling Included
📅 Book Appointment 💬 WhatsApp Us
>99%Down Syndrome Detection
>97%Trisomy 18 Detection
0%Risk to Baby
10 Wks+Can Be Done From
Understanding NIPT

What Is NIPT — Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing?

NIPT (Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing) — also called cell-free DNA testing or NIPS — is a highly accurate prenatal screening test that analyses tiny fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the mother's blood. During pregnancy, small amounts of DNA from the placenta enter the mother's bloodstream. NIPT analyses this DNA to estimate the likelihood of certain chromosomal conditions in the baby.

The test involves only a routine blood draw from the mother — there is no needle near the baby, no risk of miscarriage, and no procedure involving the uterus or amniotic fluid whatsoever.

At Mayflower Clinic, Dr. Kunda Shahane provides expert pre-test counselling to help you understand what NIPT can and cannot tell you, coordinates with certified NIPT laboratories, and provides full post-result counselling once your report arrives — so you are never left interpreting a complex result alone.

At a Glance
Also calledCell-free DNA test · NIPS · cffDNA test
Test typeScreening (not diagnostic)
SampleMaternal blood (simple venous blood draw)
Risk to babyNone — no invasive procedure
Can be done from10 weeks of pregnancy
Optimal timing12–16 weeks
Results turnaround7–14 working days
CounsellingPre- and post-result by Dr. Kunda Shahane
⚠️ Important: NIPT Is a Screening Test — Not a Diagnostic Test

NIPT is one of the most accurate prenatal screening tests available — but it is not a diagnostic test. A high-risk or positive NIPT result does not confirm that your baby has a chromosomal condition. It means the risk is significantly elevated and further investigation is needed. A positive NIPT must always be confirmed by an invasive diagnostic test — amniocentesis or CVS — before any clinical decisions are made. Equally, a low-risk NIPT result is highly reassuring but does not completely exclude all chromosomal conditions. Dr. Kunda Shahane will explain exactly what your result means in your specific context.

Conditions Screened

What Does NIPT Screen For?

ConditionWhat It MeansDetection Rate
Trisomy 21 — Down SyndromeExtra copy of chromosome 21. Most common chromosomal condition. Causes intellectual disability and characteristic physical features.>99%
Trisomy 18 — Edwards SyndromeExtra copy of chromosome 18. Associated with severe developmental abnormalities and is often not compatible with life.>97%
Trisomy 13 — Patau SyndromeExtra copy of chromosome 13. Severe structural abnormalities affecting brain, heart, and other organs.~91%
Turner Syndrome (45,X)Missing X chromosome in females. Causes short stature, ovarian insufficiency, and some heart defects.~90%+
Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY)Extra X chromosome in males. Usually mild — may affect fertility and development. Many individuals are undiagnosed.~90%+
DiGeorge Syndrome (22q11) — Extended PanelSmall deletion of chromosome 22. Associated with heart defects, immune problems, and learning difficulties. Available on extended NIPT panels.Panel dependent
How Tests Compare

NIPT vs Combined Screening vs Amniocentesis — Which Is Right for You?

Understanding the difference between screening and diagnostic tests helps you make the right choice for your pregnancy. Dr. Kunda Shahane will always recommend the most appropriate pathway for your specific situation.

FeatureCombined Screening (NT + blood)NIPTAmniocentesis / CVS
Test typeScreeningScreeningDiagnostic
SampleUltrasound + bloodMaternal blood onlyAmniotic fluid / placental tissue
Risk to babyNoneNone~0.1–1% miscarriage risk
Down syndrome detection~90%>99%>99.9% (definitive)
False positive rate~3–5%<1%Negligible
When can it be done11–13+6 weeksFrom 10 weeksFrom 11 weeks (CVS) / 15 weeks (amnio)
What it tells youRisk estimateHigh accuracy risk estimateDefinitive yes or no
Can confirm diagnosis?NoNoYes
Additional findingsFetal anatomy, NT, nasal boneChromosomal risk onlyFull chromosome analysis + optional microarray
Indications

Who Is NIPT Recommended For?

NIPT can be offered to any pregnant woman from 10 weeks, but it is particularly recommended in the following situations.

High-Risk NT Scan or Combined Screening A risk of 1 in 150 or higher on combined screening — NIPT offers much greater accuracy before deciding on invasive testing
Advanced Maternal Age (35+ Years) The age-related risk of chromosomal conditions increases significantly after 35 — NIPT provides accurate reassurance or risk confirmation
Previous Pregnancy with Down Syndrome Women with a history of Trisomy 21 or other chromosomal conditions in a previous pregnancy have a modestly elevated recurrence risk
IVF / ART Pregnancies Assisted reproduction pregnancies — particularly those involving donor eggs in older women — may benefit from higher-accuracy screening
Parental Anxiety About Chromosomal Conditions When parents want more accurate information before deciding whether to proceed with amniocentesis or CVS
Intermediate-Risk Combined Screening Result A risk between 1 in 150 and 1 in 1000 — NIPT can clarify the risk more precisely without an invasive procedure
Your Journey

NIPT at Mayflower Clinic — Step by Step

  • 1
    Pre-test counselling with Dr. Kunda Shahane

    Before the blood sample is taken, Dr. Kunda explains what NIPT can detect, what it cannot detect, what a high-risk result means, and what your next steps would be in either scenario. This ensures you make a fully informed decision about whether NIPT is right for you.

  • 2
    Blood sample collection

    A small sample of your blood (typically 10–20 mL) is drawn from a vein in your arm — exactly like a routine blood test. No special preparation is needed. The sample is labelled and dispatched to a certified NIPT laboratory by Dr. Kunda's team.

  • 3
    Laboratory analysis

    The laboratory extracts and analyses the cell-free fetal DNA in your blood sample. The bioinformatics pipeline calculates the ratio of chromosomal material to estimate the risk of trisomies and other conditions. This process takes 7–14 working days.

  • 4
    Results received by Dr. Kunda

    The NIPT report is sent directly to Dr. Kunda Shahane. She reviews the result in the context of your NT scan findings, combined screening result (if done), and medical history before contacting you. You are never called with a result without prior review.

  • 5
    Post-result counselling

    Dr. Kunda contacts you personally. For low-risk results, she explains what the result means and what routine care to continue. For high-risk results, she arranges a dedicated counselling session to explain the finding, confirm it with amniocentesis or CVS if appropriate, and discuss all available options compassionately.

Before You Come

How to Prepare for Your NIPT Appointment

Preparation Checklist
  • No fasting required — you can eat and drink normally before your appointment
  • Confirm your gestational age before booking — NIPT can only be performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy
  • Bring your latest ultrasound report (dating scan or NT scan report if already done)
  • If you have had combined first trimester screening, bring those results too
  • Bring any previous pregnancy reports relevant to chromosomal risk (previous NIPT, amniocentesis, karyotype reports)
  • Wear a top with easy access to your forearm — the blood draw takes less than 5 minutes
  • Write down any questions you have for Dr. Kunda before pre-test counselling
Questions & Answers

Frequently Asked Questions About NIPT

What is NIPT and how is it different from the NT scan?
NIPT is a blood test that analyses small fragments of fetal DNA in the mother's blood. The NT scan is an ultrasound that measures the fluid at the back of the baby's neck. Both are screening tests — not diagnostic. NIPT is more accurate for Down syndrome detection (>99%) compared to the NT scan alone (~80%) or combined screening (~90%). They are complementary: many doctors recommend the NT scan first, and NIPT for those who want higher accuracy before deciding about amniocentesis.
Is NIPT completely safe for my baby?
Yes — completely. NIPT involves only a blood draw from the mother. There is no needle near the baby, no procedure involving the uterus or amniotic fluid, and no risk of miscarriage whatsoever. It is one of the safest prenatal tests available.
Does a positive NIPT result mean my baby definitely has Down syndrome?
No. NIPT is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. A high-risk or positive NIPT result means the risk is significantly elevated — but it is not a definitive diagnosis. A positive NIPT must always be confirmed by amniocentesis or CVS before any clinical decisions are made. Dr. Kunda Shahane provides full post-result counselling and guides you on the next steps without pressure.
What does a low-risk NIPT result mean?
A low-risk result is highly reassuring — it means the chance of the specific chromosomal conditions tested is very low. However, no screening test is 100% accurate, and NIPT screens for a limited set of conditions. It does not screen for all genetic conditions, structural anomalies, or single-gene disorders. A low-risk NIPT is best understood alongside your NT scan and anomaly scan results.
When can NIPT be done?
NIPT can be performed from 10 weeks of pregnancy onwards. The optimal window is between 12 and 16 weeks, when there is sufficient fetal DNA in the maternal blood for reliable results. Occasionally, a test may need to be repeated if the fetal DNA fraction in the sample is too low — this is more common before 10 weeks.
What conditions does NIPT screen for?
Standard NIPT screens for Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome), and Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome). Extended panels also screen for sex chromosome abnormalities (Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome) and some microdeletions such as DiGeorge syndrome (22q11.2). Dr. Kunda Shahane will advise on which panel is appropriate for your situation.
How long do NIPT results take?
NIPT results typically take 7–14 working days from the date the blood sample reaches the laboratory. Results are sent directly to Dr. Kunda Shahane, who contacts you personally to discuss them and schedule a post-result counselling session if needed.
"NIPT has transformed prenatal screening — but it has also introduced a new kind of anxiety for parents who receive a positive result and do not yet understand what it means. My role is to ensure that every family who comes to Mayflower for NIPT understands exactly what the test can tell them before they take it — and receives a careful, honest, unhurried explanation of their results afterwards. A number on a report is not a diagnosis. The conversation that follows is what matters most."
— Dr. Kunda Shahane, MBBS, MS (Obs & Gynae), FIFM, FMF (London)
Fetal Medicine Specialist, Mayflower Clinic, Nagpur
Related Services
NT Scan / Combined Screening Amniocentesis CVS Genetic Counselling Anomaly Scan 11–14 Week Aneuploidy Scan 👩‍⚕️ Dr. Kunda Shahane 📞 Contact Us

Want to Discuss NIPT for Your Pregnancy?

Dr. Kunda Shahane will help you understand your options, choose the right test, and interpret your results with complete clarity.

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⚖️ PCPNDT Act Notice

Mayflower Fetal Medicine Centre strictly complies with the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994. All prenatal diagnostic and screening services at this centre are performed exclusively for lawful medical indications. Sex determination and sex-selective practices are strictly prohibited and punishable by law. Disclosure of fetal sex is not performed at this centre under any circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer: This page is for general patient education only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. NIPT is a screening test — a positive result requires confirmation by invasive diagnostic testing before any clinical decisions are made. Please consult Dr. Kunda Shahane or your treating obstetrician for advice specific to your pregnancy. In an emergency, contact your nearest hospital immediately.