Prenatal testing for thalassemia

to find out whether the fetus has thalassemia and how severe it might be. The following tests may be done:

Chorionic villus sampling - a piece of the placenta is taken out and checked in the laboratory. This is usually done at the end of the first trimester, around the 11th week of pregnancy.

Amniocentesis - a sample of amniotic fluid is taken. This usually occurs during the 16th week of pregnancy. Amniotic fluid is a clear, slightly yellowish liquid that surrounds the fetus.