Hi everybody! I am Melanie Raposo, and welcome to Mommy's Minute. The alpha-fetoprotein test is where a sample of blood is taken from the mother to check the levels of AFP. AFP is a protein that is secreted by the fetal liver and then excreted in the mother's blood. An AFP test is used to check for neural tube defects in the baby. It can also indicate placental complications and the presence of Down Syndrome. For more information, visit www.ThePregnancyShow.com.