Fetal RHD Screening

Fetal RHD Screening Test will be available starting September 21, 2026.

The Fetal RHD Screening test is offered through the Canadian Blood Services Brampton Laboratory, in partnership with Prenatal Screening Ontario (PSO). The testing detects fetal cell-free DNA in maternal blood. This high-throughput non-invasive testing can predict fetal RhD status with high accuracy and will improve care for RhD-negative pregnant individuals and babies. Our laboratories use state of the art molecular testing platforms to provide advanced testing for pregnant individuals at 11 weeks of gestation and onwards. 

Canadian Blood Services laboratories follow rigorous quality standards and process controls to meet Ontario provincial regulatory requirements. 

NOTE: This test is available for Ontario residents only.

Fetal RHD Screening (PDF)

Test Catalogue

Locate a test

Specimen and requisition requirements

Pregnant Women/Individuals Must Meet ALL of the Following Criteria:

  • Confirmed RhD-negative blood type
  • Alloimmune anti-D not detected (passive anti-D permitted)
  • No known RHD variant or weak D phenotype
  • No history of allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplant
  • Gestational age ­≥11 weeks (early testing preferred, ideally 11-13 weeks)
  • Singleton pregnancy with no evidence of vanishing twin or fetal demise in twin pregnancy

Sample Requirement:

  • Collect a minimum of 6 mL whole blood in an EDTA tube (lavender or pink top).
  • Blood sample label(s) must include:
  • Full name
  • A unique identifying number (i.e., Health Card Number)
  • Collection date and time

Requisition(s)

Request for Fetal RHD Screen (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Demande de dépistage du RHD fœtal (PDF)
(Electronic Fillable Form)

Additional Information:

Shipping Instructions

Procedure for shipping sample(s):

  1. Ensure the Request for Fetal RHD Screen requisition form is completed for each sample.
  2. Pack sample(s) in secure, protective wrapping to avoid breakage/leakage.
  3. Place completed requisition INSIDE package.

  4. Maintain the sample at room temperature (18°C to 25°C) during storage and shipping (transit). Do not freeze. Samples should not be discarded if inadvertently refrigerated; testing lab will make final accept/reject decisions.

    DO NOT USE DRY ICE. DO NOT USE ICE PACKS.

  5. Ship sample(s) as soon as possible; samples are processed on Monday–Friday, 08:00-16:00 (excluding statutory holidays).
  6. The sample MUST arrive at the Canadian Blood Services testing laboratory in order to be processed within 5 days of collection.
  7. Notify the Fetal RHD Screening lab of the shipment either by phone or email and provide the completed requisition form and waybill number, if applicable (see contact information below).

If samples are going to arrive outside of normal business hours, please notify Fetal RHD Screening lab by emailing fetalRHD@blood.ca to make appropriate arrangements.

If sample is determined to be unsatisfactory, Fetal RHD Screening lab staff will notify the referral facility for disposal of sample and request to submit a new sample and requisition form.

IF SAMPLE DELIVERY TO THE TESTING LAB IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHIN THE <5 DAYS AFTER COLLECTION, PLEASE CONTACT THE FETAL RHD SCREEN TESTING LAB TO MAKE ALTERNATE ARRANGEMENTS.

Send to

Fetal RHD Screening Laboratory
Canadian Blood Services 
100 Parkshore Drive
Brampton, ON L6T 5M1 

Telephone: 905-494-5234 
Fax: 905-494-8132
Email: fetalRHD@blood.ca

Samples are received Monday - Sunday, 24/7

  • Mon–Fri  7AM–3PM Drop Off at Dock #6
  • All Other Hours Drop Off at Dock #2