Tests During High-Risk Pregnancy
Question
A woman with a high-risk pregnancy, taking psychiatric medication and after 2 miscarriages, the doctor strongly recommends doing a nuchal translucency test, a genetic test, and a fetal protein test to ensure everything is fine with the fetus. It should be noted that in the previous pregnancy, when a healthy child was born, thank God, the doctors had concerns about the fetus due to the medication the woman is taking, fearing it might be born with a defect. The woman asks whether, according to Halacha, it is permitted or advisable to do these special tests, and in general, which tests are allowed and which are forbidden. The doctor recommends but said to ask a rabbi because he knows there are rabbis who oppose. I would appreciate a quick response. And may God bless you in all good things.
Answer
Shalom Rav
I consulted our teacher, the Gaon, Rabbi Avraham Fried, shlita, and he instructed that these tests should not be performed.
Wishing you good news and a healthy and normal pregnancy.