Glossary: Terms Starting with "N"

NIPT, or Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing, is a blood test done from 10 weeks of pregnancy that analyses small fragments of placental DNA circulating in your blood. It screens for chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome (trisomy 21), Edwards syndrome (trisomy 18), and Patau syndrome (trisomy 13), and can also detect sex chromosome differences. NIPT is highly accurate as a screening tool, with detection rates above 99% for Down syndrome. However, it is not a diagnostic test. A high-risk result means you will be offered a confirmatory test such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling before any decisions are made.

Related: cfDNA, trisomy

The nuchal translucency (NT) scan is an ultrasound done between 11 and 13 weeks and 6 days of pregnancy. It measures the fluid-filled space at the back of the baby's neck. A larger measurement can indicate a higher risk of chromosomal conditions such as Down syndrome, as well as certain heart defects. The NT scan is most useful when combined with two blood markers, PAPP-A and free beta-hCG, in what is called the first trimester combined screening. This combined result gives you a risk estimate rather than a definitive answer, so further testing may be recommended if results show elevated risk.

Related: First-trimester screen

Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, is a 50/50 mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen that you inhale through a mouthpiece during contractions. It does not eliminate pain but takes the edge off and helps you feel calmer and more in control. You breathe it in about 30 seconds before a contraction peaks, so timing matters. It leaves your system within minutes, meaning it does not affect your baby or your ability to push. Some women feel dizzy or nauseous at first. It can be combined with other pain relief methods, and you remain fully mobile throughout labor.

Related: Gas and air, Entonox

Newborn jaundice is very common, affecting more than half of all full-term babies and most premature babies. It causes a yellowish tint to the skin and whites of the eyes, usually appearing two to three days after birth. It happens because a newborn's liver is still maturing and cannot process bilirubin fast enough. Mild jaundice often clears on its own within one to two weeks with frequent feeding. More severe cases are treated with phototherapy, where the baby lies under special blue lights that help break down bilirubin. Untreated very high bilirubin levels can, in rare cases, cause brain damage.

Related: Bilirubin, phototherapy

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU, is a specialist hospital ward that provides around-the-clock medical care for newborns who are critically ill, very premature, or born with significant health complications. Babies in the NICU may need breathing support such as a ventilator or CPAP, intravenous nutrition, heart monitoring, or surgical interventions. NICU teams include neonatologists, specialist nurses, and respiratory therapists. Parents are encouraged to visit and do skin-to-skin contact, called kangaroo care, which supports bonding and recovery. A NICU stay can range from days to many months depending on how early or unwell the baby is.

Related: Preterm, special care nursery

Newborn screening is a set of routine medical tests performed on your baby shortly after birth to detect rare but serious conditions that may not yet show visible symptoms. Early detection allows treatment to start before permanent harm occurs. In Singapore, the Expanded Newborn Screening Programme covers more than 20 conditions, including metabolic disorders, hormonal problems, and hearing loss. Most tests require only a small blood sample and a hearing check. The process is quick, safe, and strongly recommended. If a result comes back abnormal, it does not always mean a confirmed diagnosis and a follow-up test will be arranged.

Related: Heel prick, hearing screen