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Antenatal tests

Harmony test - might be coming to the UK soon (I think)

5 replies

newmama88 · 22/04/2013 18:38

Hi All

I went for a CVS procedure today as I have been given 1:55 risk of the baby having DS.

Prior to the CVS procedure a researcher came and spoke to my spouse and I asking if we wanted to participate in a Harmony research which is currently not available on the NHS. The lady advised that it should be available in the UK within the next couple of months. Initially it should already have been in place however due to funding cuts etc it has been delayed.

My spouse and I ended up giving our blood samples anyway and I think they will link it to the CVS to see if there is any correlation between the two.

The whole CVS procedure took a couple of minutes albeit it was uncomfortable. It was also awful whilst lying there thinking re: chance of miscarriage but fingers crossed so far so good. The doctor checked for the baby's heartbeat post procedure and it was all ok so I was dismissed when I was ready to go. Had cramps afterwards but it got better afterwards as I spent the day in bed :)

Good luck for those who has to go through this procedure. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I know I was pretty scared beforehand! Hopefully the Harmony test (non-invasive) will be available in the UK soon....

Time for me to keep my fingers crossed I guess.. on the results and post procedure...

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ghislaine · 22/04/2013 20:05

Good luck with your cvs results, I know it's a very worrying time.

The Harmony test is available in the UK, but not on the NHS. Is that what you meant? (I had it last week. Also I have been told that about 6-7000 women in the UK have already had the Harmony test.) I think you might have been given slightly misleading information. I was told by a consultant at a major NHS teaching hospital that later this year they will begin a clinical trial with a view to introducing it into the NHS but I don't think it is only months away. There is also complementary research into chromosomal analysis of fetal cells in the maternal blood going on in the UK but this not quite the same as the Harmony test.

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newmama88 · 23/04/2013 14:56

Hi Ghislaine

Thanks for your reply.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you go with your CVS result? Did you do it via your tummy? I am feeling ok but I am slightly paranoid that I might have damaged the baby :( Dying to hear its heartbeat again.

Sorry, perhaps I was not clear... You are right re: harmony test being available privately but not on the NHS. I was advised yesterday that they were going to start offering it on the NHS however this is subject to further research, funding etc. The person who I spoke to said it should be available on the NHS within the next few months but hey I am not holding my breath :)

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Michellephant · 23/04/2013 15:11

You can have the Harmony Test in some private clinics. Fetal Medicine Centre in London do it for £180 at 10 weeks pregnant because it is free at this gestation with their NT scan. Beyond 10 weeks it is £400 + £180 for the scan fees. There is also a place just outside of York that does it for £600.

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ghislaine · 23/04/2013 15:40

Hi newmama

I've had abdominal cvs twice - in my first pregnancy with odds of 1:2 (baby did have downs and I had a termination), in my second with odds of 1:1890 (no Harmony then and I had to know). (Third pregnancy I had Harmony instead.) Both times it was absolutely fine, I had no cramping, bleeding or any other problems. The baby should not have been touched by the cvs needle, most cases of miscarriage following cvs occur because of underlying problems with the health of the baby. In the hands of an experienced practitioner, the risks are very low (the quoted risk of 1-2% dates from a study made in the 1970s that now won't be repeated due to ethical concerns as some of the cohort in that study given amniocentesis had no clinical indication for it).

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newmama88 · 28/04/2013 03:28

Hi Ghislaine

Thanks for sharing your info.

Received 'the call' the other day advising me that all is well so am relieved. Mind you it is only the preliminary results..

Overall I think the CVS test was unpleasant but I wanted to know the outcome so went ahead with it. I experienced cramps afterwards but no bleeding nor spotting so I think you area definitely right re: risks being lower these days.

Thanks again for all the info!

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