12wk scans vs harmony tests

[marialee6]

I just need somewhere to vent and ask.... has anyone had a high risk result from the 12wk scan/bloods combined test, and then it come back low risk from a harmony test? I was told a week ago that I have high risk of downs T21 and my doctor told me to get a harmony test as it’s much more accurate. I’m anxiously waiting for results which should be in this week. My scan was apparently ok it was my bloods where they saw an issue. I’m so stressed and anxious awaiting. We have decided that if it comes back high risk we’ll have an amnio as termination is something we consider. I’m 14+4 now and feeling more pregnant as time goes on... feeling so mixed emotions. By the time I get the results I’ll be 15 weeks, and then an amnio at 16 weeks if we need to then have to wait 2 weeks for those results. Battling with my emotions big time. Anyone been through similar?

[MajorFaffington]

You will find lots of posts on here from women who had a high risk combined test result and a low risk from Harmony/other NIPT test. The false positive figure for the combined test is huge. When I had my NIPT the fetal medicine midwife told me that the “vast majority” of tests from women with high risk screening results come back normal.

Like you, my NT measurement was normal but my bloods were a bit wacky (particularly bHCG) and I was given 1:72 or T21. I had the NIPT (not Harmony but similar) and it came back “Highly unlikely” for all trisomies.

What you need to remember is that the combined test just provides a risk assessment based on a variety of markers, whilst the Harmony/NIPT looks at actual fetal DNA and so is much more accurate.

Although Harmony is more accurate, it still isn’t diagnostic so you would be offered an amnio to confirm if it did come back high risk.

[MajorFaffington]

1:72 for T21 that should say

[marialee6]

Thank you for responding. Yes I read through some other posts after I wrote mine... trying to be positive but also don’t want to get my hopes up.

[LiveInAHidingPlace]

I'm in the same boat, waiting waiting. My results should come on Thursday.

[marialee6]

Such a stressful time. How are you feeling?

[LiveInAHidingPlace]

Just numb really. I just keep playing all these stupid phone games to distract myself. Dreading the phone call in case it's bad news.

How about you?

[marialee6]

I’m the same. I keep thinking the worst outcome, and feel guilty and selfish and awful and all of that. But I also know that there’s every chance things will be fine, but I can’t help but think that I am that 1:30. I think I’d rather think the worst so if it’s a good outcome I’m relieved, rather than convince myself everything is ok and then be even more devastated if it’s not 😩

[LiveInAHidingPlace]

That's exactly how I feel. I don't want to hope because if I hope and then it's not the result I want, I will feel 100 times worse.

The worst part is that I don't live in the UK but in Asia. In addition to all the cultural differences in culture of living in another country, most of the people I'm surrounded by are Americans and generally Christian Americans. So all the pregnancy groups don't even talk about the possibility of a termination. They just say "it makes no difference since of course you'd never terminate".

I have depression and anxiety and there is no way I could take care of a disabled child for its whole life. I know many people can do it: I am not one of those people. So I'm afraid I probably would terminate. But the people around me act like that is unthinkable and it makes me feel like a monster for even considering it.

I'm already 18 weeks, so a termination would be hideous. I can't even read about it and usually I'm the type of person who investigates every possibility.

I hope you and I both get the good results we want or the strength to deal with anything that is not what we want.

Feel free to pm me any time, I totally get how hard this is.

[AmeliaE]

Stay strong OP! As they've already said there are many cases where they get a very low risk after the harmony test.
My scan at 14 weeks went ok but the blood test results came back with "intermediate risk". I'm in France so they offered me a Harmony test by default. I'm now waiting for the results although I am positive they will come back ok

[marialee6]

Thank you everyone. My doctor rang at last and everything came back low risk from the harmony test, I cried with relief.

[LiveInAHidingPlace]

So happy for you!!

[AmeliaE]

Another negative here! Such a relief!