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  • What We Screen For In Ontario
    • Trisomy 21 (Down Syndrome)
    • Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome)
    • Nominate a Condition
  • Prenatal Screening Options
    • Is Prenatal Screening Right For Me?
    • Less than 14 Weeks' Pregnant
    • 14-21 Weeks' Pregnant
    • More than 21 Weeks' Pregnant
    • Twins and More Than Two Babies
    • Vanishing Twins
  • Results and Next Steps
    • Enhanced First Trimester Screening Results
    • Second Trimester Screening Results
    • Screening for Vanishing Twins Results
    • Non-invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Results
    • 11-14 Week (Nuchal Translucency) Ultrasound Results
    • 18-22 Week Ultrasound Results
    • Diagnostic Testing
  • For Providers-How to Order
    • enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS) Guide
    • Second Trimester Screening (STS) Guide
    • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Guide
    • Screening for Vanishing Twins Guide
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HomePrenatal Screening Options
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Prenatal Screening Options

Prenatal genetic screening can tell you the chance for your baby to have trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) or trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome). Sometimes, prenatal genetic screening can tell you about the possibility of other genetic conditions or health concerns.  There is no risk to the pregnancy because it is done by ultrasound and blood work.

Is prenatal genetic screening right for me?

The choice whether to have prenatal genetic screening is personal. There is no right or wrong choice. There are questions that you can think about when making this decision. Speaking with your health-care provider, family and friends, spiritual leader, and learning about available tests might help you make the best choice for you. 

What are my options?

If you are expecting only one baby, your options depend on how far along you are in your pregnancy.

Do you need to know how far along you are in the pregnancy?

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For Health-Care Providers

View prenatal genetic screening fact sheet for pregnant individuals in your care

View slide deck for an overview of prenatal genetic screening

View prenatal screening pathway and timeline visuals

first trimester fetus
Less than 14 weeks pregnant
Learn about your options
fetus in second trimester
14-21 weeks pregnant
Learn about your options
third trimester fetus
More than 21 weeks pregnant
Learn about your options

Find out about your options if you are in one of these situations:

  • You are expecting more than one baby (for example, twins or triplets)
  • Your pregnancy started as a twin pregnancy and one twin miscarried.

Do I need to see a genetics specialist?

In certain situations, you can talk to your health-care provider about being referred to the nearest genetics centre. This includes the following situations:

  • You or someone in your family has a genetic condition, intellectual disability or a birth defect.
  • There are concerns on an ultrasound that you had in your pregnancy.
  • You had a "high risk" NIPT result, or your NIPT failed twice. 
  • You are thinking about having a diagnostic test, like amniocentesis, for "yes" or "no" answers about the chromosomes of the baby. 
  • Prenatal Screening Options
    • Is Prenatal Screening Right For Me?
    • Less than 14 Weeks' Pregnant
      Toggle Section Less than 14 Weeks' Pregnant Menu
      • Enhanced First Trimester Screening (eFTS)
      • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
        Toggle Section Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Menu
        • NIPT Funding Criteria
      • 11-14 Week (Nuchal Translucency) Ultrasound
    • 14-21 Weeks' Pregnant
      Toggle Section 14-21 Weeks' Pregnant Menu
      • Second Trimester Screening (STS)
      • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
        Toggle Section Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Menu
        • NIPT Funding Criteria
      • 18-22 Week Ultrasound
    • More than 21 Weeks' Pregnant
      Toggle Section More than 21 Weeks' Pregnant Menu
      • Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT)
        Toggle Section Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) Menu
        • NIPT Funding Criteria
      • 18-22 Week Ultrasound
    • Twins and More Than Two Babies
    • Vanishing Twins

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Prenatal Screening Ontario 
CHEO Research Institute 
Centre for Practice-Changing Research Building 
401 Smyth Road 
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1

Phone: 613-737-2281

Toll-Free: 1-833-351-6490

Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST

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