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Antenatal tests

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

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Original poster

Harmony prenatal test - anyone know about it

830 replies

RTchoke · 29/10/2012 05:41

today I am having a new kind of prenatal test called Harmony. It's non-invasive and seems to just be a new kind of blood test plus the regular nuchal scan but it's much more accurate than the traditional nuchal blood test. Apparently it's nearly as accurate as a CVS but without any risk.

I'm the only person I know who is having this test and nobody else seems to have heard of it let alone have been offered it. I just wondered if others have and knowledge of it and how accurate it is.

OP posts:

Aoifebelle · 20/05/2013 21:02

I am so grateful for this thread. I found out about the harmony here and went for the cheaper 10 week scan and test. waiting for the results right now. In the meantime I went for the nhs 12 week scan today. My nuchal scan was high 4.2mm. Based on this information alone, they advised me to go for a cvs, not to even wait for the results of the harmony. I felt very rushed and pressured by the midwife. I left and called the foetal medicine centre. They have brought my second appointment forward to Wednesday and provided me with the opportunity to gather more information before having the invasive test. They have been a real life line. Best 180 quid I have ever spent even though I can ill afford it.

diege · 21/05/2013 10:10

I think you have done absolutely the right thing aoife. Is it tomorrow you have your appointment at the fmc? If so he professor will be there to check results etc and he is very reassuring. How long do you have to wait for your harmony results? Tbh even with a high nuchal I would trust the harmony as much as a cvs, but obviously everyone assesses risk differently.
I too had the 10 week deal at the fmc and am also booked in for my 20 week scan there in a few weeks. Best £180 spent here too!

Aoifebelle · 21/05/2013 13:55

Yes they managed to squeeze me in tomorrow as the prof will be there. I can have a CVS there and then if needs be. I can't afford it, but I keep credit cards for emergencies only and I reckon this qualifies.

I was really quite shocked by the midwife. I have had nothing but excellent care and compassion from the NHS, so to meet her kind when I was feeling so vulnerable was really difficult. She displayed not one ounce of compassion and just wanted me to make a decision there and then with bugger all information. I was also being really pressured as the consultants were due to be on holiday for the next two weeks, so was basically told either CVS this week, or I could potentially limit my options should a termination be necessary. So glad I managed to walk away and take some time to consider other options.

The results of the harmony are not due in until next week. Timing wise it is crap due to fly to portugal on Wednesday. Ordinarily I would just reschedule, but am bringing my niece and my parents have decided to tag along - they don't even know I am preggers.

Not sure what the best possible outcome is tomorrow. I suppose if the prof gives me enough reassurance I could then hold out for the harmony with no CVS. If the prof thinks things look dodgy, then CVS and a really grisly wait.

Money may not buy you happiness (or babies for that matter), but even a couple of hundred quid can buy you options. I feel very fortunate right now to have those options.

diege · 21/05/2013 17:34

You will be in good hands tomorrow aoife. If a cvs is indicated the prof does them on a weds and you will get provisional results 48 hrs later. And it may well be the case that it's not an issue as they look at so much more alongside the NT measurement too. I would see be prepared for a wait though - weds very busy and my appointment was 2.5 later than scheduled as there was an emergency that morning.
Please update and let us know how you get on xx

Aoifebelle · 21/05/2013 18:13

Thanks so much for that diege, that was really useful info. They have warned me to call in advance top check if there are any delays.I don't live to far away so not to much of a problem for me. I can't complain add they squeezed me in at such short notice. 48 hours is great was worried about the bank holiday screwing things up. I should know a whole lot more this time tomorrow.

Aoifebelle · 25/05/2013 14:03

The harmony was redundant for me, scan at fmc showed risk of chromosomal abnormality of 1/2. Had cvs there and then, results confirmed. Dealing with fall out now.

The prof was interesting. If you want a gentle bedside manner and lots of reassurance, you are dealing with the wrong man. If you want to be told exactly how it is by someone who really knows his stuff and barely notice the cvs, then you are in the right hands.

The sonographer was either in complete awe of him, or terrified, or both. She was visibly shaking in his presence.
I work with many senior academics, and the prof had one of the most well developed god like genius complexes I have ever encountered, but I suppose his record backs this up, so fair enough. I am sure if he had better news for me I would be thinking the sun shines out of his arse.

Olive2012 · 25/05/2013 19:01

Hi aoife, just read your thread and wanted to say my heart goes out to you, I'm really sorry to hear that and hope you make the right choice for you.

I've been lurking for a little while now reading this thread and went for my harmony test yesterday. Am now in the waiting period. Thanks to all you ladies who shared your knowledge and stories. I never would have heard about harmony otherwise. I've never been a big user of Internet forums but am a convert now!

diege · 27/05/2013 13:47

Oh aoife I am so sorry to read your news I suppose it is some small consolation that you were able to find out relatively early but you must be in an awful place right now and my heart goes out to you.
Yes, I had read similar about the prof, and the receptionists spoke about him in very hushed tones when I was there. As you say though, fair play with his rep etc. Sounds like you got the info' you needed but under very sad and stressful circumstances. Saw your other thread and will be thinking abut you this week xxx
olive best of luck with the harmony - I too only heard about the test through this thread!

QueenofWhispers · 28/05/2013 13:59

hi guys! will anyone tell me if they are willing to tell the results on the phone?

i was told that they would have my results today, so when I called they put me on hold and then told me that they will only discuss my results in person on thursday.

jmf294 · 28/05/2013 14:38

Is that the FMC in London?
I am in the same position- due my results on Thursday but can't sleep as I want to know now. They took my date of birth and then said they don't have the result.
Left me thinking its bad news that they won't tell me.
To be honest they shouldn't give these kind if results over the phone as it would not be appropriate at all to be told something is wrong over the phone.
Good luck for Thursday- hope we both get good results, even though I currently am c

diege · 28/05/2013 14:46

Hi,
I wasn't given the option of phoning and was told the results may well be back before my appointment but that I would get them when I came for the nuchal scan. The info' was actually given as I was walking with the sonographer to be scanned!
Not sure if it's relevant but the computers have been down all day today at the FMC as I have been trying to check the time of my next appointment. It may well be that they can't access them even if they are back!

QueenofWhispers · 28/05/2013 14:52

jmf294

good luck to you! I know how you feel. I'm absolutely out of my mind with worry.

They told me they can't tell me over the phone, DH called and they told him they didn't actually have the results.

I wouldn't have worried as much if they had just told me they didn't have the results.

jmf294 · 28/05/2013 15:05

I was awake for 2 hours in the night last night worrying and then when I got back to sleep I had nightmares about being at the clinic and them telling me bad results.
Crazy as there is nothing to do but wait but it's not nice!!

QueenofWhispers · 28/05/2013 16:42

I know how you feel jmf I feel the same way. I had to watch tv to get me to stop thinking about baby and harmony results. I wish I could just walk in today and demand to know.

diege · 28/05/2013 17:05

Fingers crossed for you both x
I too felt very nervous waiting for my results, though had a 'good' 10 week scan which put my mind at rest. The waiting at the centre was very long on the day I was there for my results (a weds) but I know you're seen quicker on other days. Distraction seemed to work best for me. I also have a history of terrible 20 week scans that have always raised 'questions' about possible chromosome issues (unfounded), so I tried to remember that the information I was getting would hopefully put other possible anxieties later on in the pregnancy into a better context.

Aoifebelle · 28/05/2013 18:51

Hang in there jmf. I think they try to do the same for everyone to avoid people reading anything into the time to get results, or availability of results over the phone.

QueenofWhispers · 28/05/2013 19:37

AHHHH how are we going to get through tomorrow?!

jmf294 · 28/05/2013 19:54

Bless you Aoife- thanks for your wishes.
Keeping you in my thoughts during this most horrendous time for you.

Queen- no idea, got a trip to town and lunch out to look forward to. Retail therapy may be helpful I feel!!

QueenofWhispers · 30/05/2013 21:29

Hi JMF

i hope you had good results today. i didn't have the best results, but I didn't have the worst. The harmony test came back negative for everything but the umbilical chord isn't doing so well. :(

JaneLondon2013 · 31/05/2013 16:12

Dear all, it seems from what I read until now that the Harmony test?s result indicates either a similar risk or a lower risk than the combined test?s result. Among those who have done both the combined test and the Harmony test, is there anyone who got a higher risk result with the Harmony test than with the combined test? Is it possible? I cannot find this information in anything I read about the Harmony test. Thanks.

BryanBeattie · 02/06/2013 08:19

The combined test has a detection rate of 90pc whereas Harmony is 99pc. The chance of a high risk result in a normal pregnancy is 4pc for combined compared to 1 in 1000 (0.1pc). Depending in how much free fetal DNA there is the risk often comes back at less than 1 in 10,000. Now it provides fetal sexing, identifies Turner Syndrome and works for twins.

BryanBeattie · 02/06/2013 08:20

The Harmony test if negative usually gives a much lower risk than the combined test, typically 1 in 10,000

BryanBeattie · 02/06/2013 08:21

The Harmony test if negative usually gives a much lower risk than the combined test, typically 1 in 10,000

Jillysmum · 06/06/2013 16:52

Hi everyone. My name is Tina. I'm a mum to a 3 year old and also a news producer doing a story about the harmony test. If anyone who has had the test or is about to have it could message me today, I would love to hear from you. [email protected]. Many thanks, Tina

JaneLondon2013 · 07/06/2013 09:59

many thanks BryanBettie

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