Has anybody done SAFE/IONA test at UDS (or anywhere else?!)

[LightTripper]

Hello! Am currently 7 weeks pregnant and as I will be 41 if I get to term am looking into NIPT. I had Panorama at the Birth Centre when I had my DD which I was very happy with (a friend had a termination due to Patau so I'm paranoid about Harmony not having such good accuracy for that). But I've just spotted that UDS on Harley Street offers the SAFE test, offered by St Georges Hospital (which I think is basically the same as IONA).

I never heard of UDS or SAFE or IONA but it all looks proper. Great accuracy (99pc on all trisomies and low false positive rates like Panorama) BUT quicker (as it gets processed in the UK) and £100 cheaper.

Would be very interested if anybody has experience to share of either the test or the clinic!

TIA, LT x

[StevePP]

LightTripper IONA (or the SAFE test as branded by St Georges) is available in various NHS hospitals.

Looking at the St Georges website they do the test for free for high-risk women but not sure whether that would apply to you "it will be undertaken free-of-charge for high-risk women (>1:150 risk for Down, Edward or Patau syndrome) referred for further care in the Fetal Medicine Unit at St Georges."

Looking at the staff at UDS the majority are from St Georges so I think you will be ok in terms of the clinic.

Good luck with things and hope everything works out.

[LightTripper]

Thanks Steve PP!

I used to live very near St George's and had a very good experience there when I had a breast lump, but unfortunately I'm not very close to there any more, so will probably pay up to have it closer to home (though at 40 I may well qualify as high risk I guess!)

Seems not many here have tried this yet so I will report back in a few weeks

LT xx

[GeekMum1]

I've had the SAFE Test at George's and am waiting for results. They offer the test free to women whose nuchal results show them to be high-risk but one of the team told me that it's also at the consultant's discretion.
I've had the CVS before and have to say it's not nice. Very pleased that the SAFE test is here.

[Fingersxed]

Hello, I've had a call today from the midwife to say I'm high risk after our nuchal test on Monday. I'm 41 and this is my first baby. We knew my age increased the risk but were told the neck measurement was good at the 12 wk scan. However my hgc is 3x what it should be. I didn't think to ask for a figure. I've been referred to have the SAFE test next week as I was give a risk of 1:30. I'm not sure what to expect so if anyone has had it I'd love to hear from you.

[GeekMum1]

Hi there,

I'm also 41 and I had the Safe test at St George's. I'd previously had a pregnancy terminated where the baby was confirmed to have Downs (CVS test). This meant I was high risk for future pregnancies so when I got pregnant again I had the SAFE test. It's a simple blood test and you get the results via phone. Having been through CVS I think it should be available for free to all pregnant women. Its very accurate and you can always have the CVS afterwards if you want.
Hope you're doing ok. I know from experience that it's a stressful time. Love and hugs to you. I wish you didn't have to go through this x

[Fingersxed]

Thanks GeekMum1, it's so nice to hear from others who understand.
I agree the test should be there for everyone it's hard enough without trying to work out safe private options. I'm lucky I fall under one of the referral hospitals for St Georges, hopefully it will be offered more widely soon.
Love to you & your bump xx

[GeekMum1]

I think they plan to make it available on the NHS. I'm so glad it's was invented, it's made my current pregnancy much less stressful.
If you need to talk some more please message me. I remember wanting to talk to someone and finding it hard. Your results could come back clear and hopefully the safe test will show that.