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I had it done...its actually called the Triple Screening Test...it also tests for Spina Bifida. It doesnt tell you in stone whether or not your baby will have these problems but rather gives you the likelihood of the chances in ratio form (eg. 1: 50,000). They simply draw blood for this test. If your chances come back really high then they can perform another test where they take amnotic fluid via needle from your uterus and test that. If none of what I've said makes sense you could always google triple screen test and look at the results

I just googled and this is what I found:

"During the 16th to 18th week of pregnancy, expectant mothers typically are offered a blood test called the triple screen test or triple marker.

For the screening, a sample of blood is drawn from the mother to measure three basic things: the levels of hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and estriol, which are produced by the placenta, and the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), which is produced by the fetus. The levels of these three substances in the blood can help doctors identify a fetus at risk for certain birth defects such as neural tube defects like spina bifida or chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.

In determining the results of the test, doctors take into account the mother's age, weight, and ethnicity; if she is diabetic; if she is having twins or other multiples; and the gestational age of the fetus. Many of these factors affect the levels of the substances being measured and the interpretation of the test results, so the accuracy of this information is vital. If any of the given information is incorrect, the results from the screening may be inaccurate as well."

Receiving Abnormal Results.....

"If you have undergone the triple screen test and received abnormal results, there is no need to worry yet. Just because the test is abnormal doesn't mean that your child has a birth defect. Rather, an abnormal triple screen indicates that the fetus should be evaluated further.

Usually, when a pregnant woman's results show high levels of AFP, pointing to a possible risk of spina bifida or other neural tube defects, her doctor will order a detailed ultrasound to examine the fetus, including the fetal skull and spine. In addition, an ultrasound can confirm the age of the fetus and whether the woman is carrying multiples. The doctor also may offer amniocentesis, which is the withdrawal of amniotic fluid from the uterus for further testing.

If a woman's triple screen results reveal low levels of AFP and high levels of estriol and hCG, she has an increased risk of having a baby with Down syndrome. The next step after receiving this test result is usually an ultrasound to confirm the baby's due date and to look for any obvious abnormalities. Unfortunately, ultrasound is not a very good test for picking up Down syndrome - in fact as many as 50% of cases of Down syndrome look entirely normal on a mid-trimester ultrasound. For this reason, patients are offered amniocentesis so chromosome testing can be done on the fetal cells that are found in the amniotic fluid.

In general, high AFP levels are not a cause for alarm. Some doctors will recommend extra rest and follow closely those women who have high AFP levels with no other explanation because they could have an increased risk of having low birth weight or premature babies. If there is a need for concern, your doctor will let you know. If you have any questions or concerns about triple screen testing, it might also be a good idea to discuss your feelings with your doctor or to seek the advice of a genetic counselor."