Share your NIPT experience with me?

[Spareincoming]

Hello, I’m looking for anyone’s experiences with NIPT/Harmony testing.
I am older at 38 almost 39 and in the early stages of my second pregnancy.
I have concerns about my age and the midwife at my booking appointment was quite dismissive. I suggested I would pay privately for a harmony test and she said would I want my bloods done by a non health care professional? I had assumed and most websites don’t clarify that it is a qualified professional.
She has spooked me a bit. I remember her from my last pregnancy and that seems to be her personality so I was trying not to over think it but I am.

Did the tests reassure you?

Also how do you choose who to go to?

There seems to be a few in the area I’d be in for work around the 10 week stage so would try and go whilst I’m there as there’s not anywhere near where I actually live. (York/North Yorkshire/Teeside area
is where I will be working)

Thank you.

I'd TTC 4yrs before finally getting pregnant at 38 (no fertility issues ever found!). I worked abroad part of each year and had the NIPT done there- very similar health system to the UK and I had to pay. I also looked into the UK's NIPT options during subsequent pregnancies- which unfortunately also failed.

I had it done at 10 weeks and it picked up trisomy 13 (patau syndrome). I chose TFMR and autopsy confirmed the results. I was SO glad to be able to have this done so early on, before I'd announced the pregnancy, or was showing or much further along. I've read on mumsnet of women not getting their 12 week scans till 14 weeks and only then, in some cases given further testing. Too long IMO

I have no idea what the midwife meant by having the blood test done by a non health professional!!! To be able to take blood, you have to at least do training to do so and be a phlebotomist. This is a job in itself and generally band 2/3 on the NHS agenda for change pay scale. You don't NEED to be a registered Nurse, Dr, Midwife etc to take blood. Avery strange comment and the midwife should be providing you with information about it- so that YOU can make in informed choice whether to have NIPT or not.

• Harmony, SAFE, NIFTY, IONA are just brand names of the same test- all are NIPT.
• Check where the laboratory is that will do the testing. Initially, all were sent to the USA. Some places still send tests there, but this obviously adds time to get your tests so I'd personally choose a UK lab
• Ask how you get the results and what happens if the news isn't positive- do they provide follow up, referral to the hospital etc?
• In my case, they called to say they suspected T13 and had already booked me in for a detailed, follow up scan with them the next day. I was given the option of CVS or Amnio and then referred back to the hospital for the TFMR. They provided details for a counselling service and were fantastic.
• I've read on MN of cases where women are called or even just a text from where they had the NIPT, saying the results were XYZ and to search out their own abortion clinic or further obstetric help themselves!

OP- in my limited understanding of the standard 12 weeks bloods/scans, you will get a higher risk reading at age 38 anyways. If you can afford it, I'd have NIPT. Its not diagnostic, and apparently better at picking up T21 over T13/T18, but I'd have it again. Happy to answer any questions, and sorry my post got so long! 😬

@Spareincoming Add: I wouldn't say you're naive to not have the NIPT. It depends on your situation, your own anxiety levels and the decision you'd take if you were to find out your child had one of these conditions. I actually tried to find some evidence on how many of those results are somewhat inaccurate and if someone received a low chance result, then having a child with one of these three trisomies but I have not been able to find any.

I had it with both of mine (I was 32 and 35). Had it done at the private clinic attached to the nhs hospital I was registered at, overseen by an nhs consultant who also did private work. All done by qualified staff - not sure who your midwife thinks would be doing it?!

Thanks everyone; you’ve all be very kind in reassuring me!
I’m going to book somewhere outside of York (Bumpkins anyone?) as it’s the closest to where I will be when I’m 10 weeks and have a half day.

Hi, I was your age and had mine done - best decision ever.

First, it absolutely WAS carried out by a proper HCP. It was a scan + bloods. The scan was carried out by a great sonographer who works at our local NHS teaching hospital!

The bloods came back very quickly, within c 5-6 days if memory serves, with a lot of detail.

And most importantly....that was where we found it was TWINS!

I'd do it again in a heartbeat, not that we are ever having any more <eyes hole in bank account caused by childcare>

@JohnnyMcGrathSaysFuckOff
That all sounds like a wonderful experience; which is what I needed to hear!
I’m not going to have the scan, purely because my DP can’t be there with me and I would like him to be there as he missed the first scan for our first due to being hospitalised himself!

@Spareincoming did you have this done at Bumpkins? I'm thinking of doing the same!

@WhatIsntInAName I didn’t in the end as work venue changed and I ended up elsewhere that wasn’t amazing; but whilst researching the area I was meant to be in, I asked 2 friends who I thought had had nipt done in that area and it turned out they’d both been to Bumpkins and both wholeheartedly recommended them.

Thank you! I'm sorry it wasn't amazing, hope all your results were ok and you and baby are healthy :)

@WhatIsntInAName thanks, I’m still waiting on results as I had to have the blood test redone and the place I went to messed me around quite a bit.
The only advantage was it was near to where I was with work and on my return visit I got to go to Leeds Ikea when it was quiet!

Love a good Leeds ikea trip! Shame you had to have it redone but hopefully you'll have the results soon.