Less than 14 Weeks' Pregnant
In your first trimester of pregnancy, you may have the choice between enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS) and Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT). You may also choose to not have any prenatal genetic screening in your pregnancy.
Option 1
enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS)
- Involves a nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound and a blood test.
- Can be done between approximately 11 weeks 2 days to 13 weeks 3 days gestation.
- OHIP-funded for all pregnant individuals.
- If NT ultrasound is not available in your area, you can have NIPT (see Option 2), or wait until the second trimester of pregnancy to have Maternal Serum Screening.
Option 2
Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
- Involves a blood test, and is the most accurate of the available screening tests.
- Can be done anytime after 9 or 10 weeks gestation depending on the lab.
- OHIP-funded in certain circumstances (e.g. when there is an increased chance for the baby to have trisomy 21 or trisomy 18). You can choose to pay for NIPT if the test is not OHIP-funded in your situation.
- You may choose to start with eFTS before you consider having NIPT. A screen positive (high risk) result from eFTS would allow for the NIPT to be funded by OHIP.
- A nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound in the first trimester should still be offered to you if available, to give you additional information about the health of the baby.
Have a look at the Prenatal Screening Pathway for a visual of the screening and diagnostic testing options available over the course of your pregnancy
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