1. New eligibility criteria for NT ultrasound (as part of IPS):
As of January 2010, the following women qualify for NT ultrasound to be done in conjunction with first and second trimester serum markers (IPS):

a) Women >36 years old at expected date of delivery (EDD);
b) Women with twin pregnancies;
c) Women who have a history of a previous child or fetus with Down syndrome, trisomy 18 or trisomy 13;
d) Women >35 years old with 3 or more miscarriages;
e) Women who are HIV positive; and
f ) Women pregnant following in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

As of January 2010, women pregnant with twins should be screened by NT ultrasound and first and second trimester serum markers (IPS). If NT is not available, SIPS should be offered. If the patient presents after 13 weeks 6 days gestation, Quad should be offered. Women who are >35 years old have the option of amniocentesis without prior screening.

Screening in higher multiples will remain based on NT alone.

It can be hard to figure out when is the right time to have blood drawn.  We have created a pregnancy dating tool to help women pick the best days.  Now fewer women will need to have their blood drawn again because their first sample was done too early, and more women will get the screen they want because their blood was not drawn too late. 

All women in BC will now be offered the Serum Integrated Prenatal Screen or SIPS.  SIPS involves two blood tests (one in the first trimester and one in the second trimester) allowing for a more accurate estimate of a pregnant woman's chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, trisomy 18, or an open neural tube defect.

To go along with our new screen, we have also developed a new web site and a host of materials to help pregnant women and their health care providers understand all the changes.  On the web site you will find information on all the options available for pregnant women as well as decision making tools that will provide “things to think about” when considering whether prenatal screening is the right choice for your pregnancy.

We even have a video that explains what prenatal screening is, why some women will choose the screen and why some will not, as well as some of the details of the screen and possible next steps.

Please look at our “Resources” page which has links to many relevant sites.

This web site is still under construction and will be updated regularly.  Please check back for improvements and updates.

As part of the improved prenatal genetic screening that has come to BC, there is an effort to expand the availability of nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasounds in the province. 

NT ultrasounds look at the fluid filled space at the back of baby's neck and are done between 11 and 14 weeks of pregnancy.  This measurement is difficult to do accurately and requires special training.

A task group of health care providers across the province has been working hard to train more ultrasound technicians and doctors to do NT ultrasounds so that more women will have this service available in their communities.  There are currently only a few sites in the province where women can have the NT ultrasound, but there are many more that will be up and running soon.  Check this page and our “News and Events” section where we will post new NT locations as they become available.