Cervical Cell Sampling

About the Study

Collecting and analyzing fetal cells non-invasively and safely early in pregnancy is considered the holy-grail of perinatal testing and can provide crucial information about pregnancy and fetal health in the earliest stages.

Pre-implantation diagnosis, villous and amniotic fluid sampling, as well as, cell-free DNA are currently used to investigate genetic features of the fetus. This genetic testing can aid in early detection of genetic diseases and can help identify potential risks during pregnancy. However, these tests can be invasive, risky to the fetus, and not always accurate. That's where our exciting research comes in.

We are currently investigating the biology of the fetal cells that migrate from the placenta into the cervix in the first trimester. These cells are of fetal origin and can be used to assess fetal healthy early on in a minimally-invasive and less risky way.

  • We are recruiting pregnant patients up to 20 weeks gestational age who are receiving care at one of our research sites (Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Mount Sinai Hospital, etc.)

  • A small swab will be used to collect cells in the cervix. This will be performed by a physician and will occur during a regular clinic visit.

  • Samples and data will be numerically coded to protect your privacy. You may withdraw your samples at any time and they will be discarded if testing has not yet begun on your samples. Participation is voluntary and will NOT affect your care.

  • The collection procedure will be performed by a physician. It is minimally-invasive, but some bleeding or pain may occur. There are no known side effects.