First Trimester Screening (FTS) is a voluntary screening test available to all pregnant women between 9 weeks 4 days and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. The goal of the screening program is to provide an early prenatal screening test for certain chromosome abnormalities. The test screens for Down syndrome, trisomy 18 and trisomy 13. It is important to remember that this test cannot detect all birth defects.

First trimester screening is usually done between 9 weeks 4 days and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. The steps involved in first trimester screening include the following:

1) A small blood sample from the patient is taken, and the amount of free beta hCG and PAPP-A in the blood is measured. These are substances that are normally found in a pregnant woman’s blood.

2) An early ultrasound measurement is taken of a fluid-filled area at the back of the developing baby’s neck (the “nuchal translucency” or NT).

3) The results of these tests are combined with the patient’s age to estimate the chance of having a baby with Down syndrome, and trisomy 18 or trisomy 13.

The First Trimester Screening Program was established in 2006. Kaiser Permanente has a Northern California Regional Prenatal Screening Program office in Oakland with 3 coordinators and one secretary. This office is set up to coordinate all aspects of the program for our members. Our region covers the 43 Northern California Kaiser Permanente facilities including clinics, laboratories and Prenatal Diagnosis Centers. The Kaiser Prenatal Screening office staff work to ensure that complete, accurate results are produced, and that appropriate follow-up is initiated when necessary.