Harmony prenatal test - anyone know about it

[RTchoke]

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.

Thank you jess! Yes, I have read the (rather scary) features associated with low Papp-A ...
I will ask for every possible way for the risk calculations to be done!

I had a 0.23MoM PAPP-A with my third pregnancy - he was 7lbs 10oz at 38+2, so definitely no growth issues. I had a 1 in 34 as although the NT was fine, the bHCG was 1.81 and I was 34. Bloodwork alone had me at a in 16 - it was the scan that improved things. He has typical chromosomes - we went for a late "safe" amnio at 32 weeks to avoid the risks of earlier invasive testing.

Having said that I have a good friend who had a similar PAPP-A and her DS did have growth issues. She had been told by her consultant at Kings (so the same team as the FMC) that she had a 1 in 5 chance of growth problems with the number she had. So they knew to look out for it, and when it was clear at her 28 week scan that there were issues, they monitored her closely. She delivered at 34 weeks and he spent a very short time in SCBU and was perfectly fine after that. The crucial thing is that you're monitored.

I had a 1 in 5 last time - NT measurement 2.7mm, PAPP-A nice and normal at 0.79MoM but a killer bHCG at 5.43MoM. Harmony said 1 in 10,000 and she was born a few weeks ago. Not had any further testing beyond Harmony but pretty sure she has typical chromosomes too.

Aside from bleeding I've never had any of the things that can cause high bHCG or low PAPP-A either. I just have stupid bloodwork (yay..)

So sorry you are dealing with this stress and Harmony did not come back. In your shoes I'd give it another go. Do they not do one retest for free? If not, maybe try Panorama or NIFTY?

Good luck with your nuchal scan today Jbrd. I hope things goes well.
I went to the FMC yesterday for my NT scan yesterday, all seemed normal, just the continued wait for the bloods now.
The doc this time was pretty clinical, which was in contrast to Dr Barbra last week, I guess its the luck of the draw who you get - but we got some pics to take away which was good. The baby was kicking like a little footballer - I am convinced it's a boy.
Good luck everyone waiting on results.

Just had a call to say the harmony test failed again and I had a £250 refund.

That's annoying gunwalloe. I got mine back - all 1 in 10000. Shame you didn't get to find out gender.

What a shame, gun There is clearly room for improvement with this test...

I got the re-draw today at the FMC, really hoping that it will give some better results.
The nuchal scan was all good, no issues with any of the markers. It is definitely my bloods that are the problem - Papp-A came out very low again, and because the FMC put my age-related risk at 1:40 (the NHS uses 1:60), my risk got pushed even further, they calculated it at 1:6
The doctor would have done a CVS there and then, but I chose to wait for the Harmony results. I'll still be under 16 weeks by the time they should come (if if works this time), so I reckon I have time. And I can still do the amniocentesis after 16 weeks, should it come to that.

I wasn't too impressed how the doctor seemed to try and push me to have the invasive procedure asap, describing how a termination after 12-13 weeks is so much more worse than one before that . I'm sure she meant well, but again, I found the general empathy very lacking. She knew I had 3 mcs, so I would have expected her to understand that taking the risk of an invasive procedure is something I need to consider very carefully.
Well, another wait now...

Hi Jbrd. Glad the nuchal went well. Did they give you any pics? I wonder if you had the same doc as me? She was a little cold and clinical, and although thankfully I've only had one MC, but to be honest, I've found that the way all professionals are so flippant in the way they refer to MC in general, slightly irritating, but then again I guess they see this day in day out.... no excuse though I guess. It was the most painful thing I've been through - so can only imagine how difficult it has been for you.
I hope your Harmony comes back soon, I asked about mine yesterday but the receptionist told me not until the end of the week at least... I hate all this waiting....
My NHS nuchal isn't until I'm 13 weeks 3 days.... on April 15th....

Keeping No pics this time, I have to admit that I completely forgot! But I got a good one from my nuchal last week, so I don't mind.
My doctor was Marta Santorum Perez - slim, small, with long dark hair. It had been similar with the doctor that did my first scan at 9 and 10 weeks (I forgot her name).. I don't want a gush of emotions, but it would be nice if the medical history would be acknowledged a little more. Ah well, maybe I'm just too used to the nurses at my hospital who have been so very lovely.

Are you having the nuchal at the FMC as well as the NHS? Or are you just doing the Harmony test?

Hi Jbrd. I had the harmony last Monday and the nuchal yesterday. Just waiting on harmony results now... I will still go for the NHS scan in mid April to compare unless the harmony results indicate that I need the CVS and then I will go ahead with this.
I am pretty sure we had the same doc... not a particularly effervescent bedside manner!!! Lol.
On the other hand my NHS booking midwife was lovely and the FMC's Dr Barbra very nice too - I guess it all varies - although when you are paying big bucks a few smiles wouldn't go a miss, especially for us very anxious mums to be.....

[ohthegoats] it is a pain but I'm convinced its a girl I've already got two of each and my body's acting like its a girl.
[JBrd] I really hope things work out for you. Both times when my test failed I was phoned 1 week and 1 day after the blood so I'm really hoping you get a answer soon

I've booked the Harmony for Monday. I hope it works because I have to fly to London from France to get it done!

I had viability scan and blood draw for harmony yesterday. Decided early on to go this route for 1st pregnancy at 37 after 15 years + on the pill. I was 10+3 based on last period but scan measured as 10+6.

It's so frustrating to have to wait two weeks for results. Seeing all the family this weekend but, having made the decision to go for the tests we don't want to say anything until we have the results. A negative decision would be so much more difficult if we also have to justify to others who might disagree.

Positive impression of FMC so far in any case. I was in and out in 25 minutes. Didn't feel rushed - it is just very efficient. Viability scan was c. 15 minutes, screen resolution is excellent and doctor was good at pointing everything out (hard to interpret without the commentary). Bloods (urgh, I hate needles) was over in 2 minutes. And now the wait!

Good luck to everyone else in the process

Hello Kitty, good luck with the waiting. I'm 39 and this is my 2nd pregnancy (although first ended in a miscarriage, so I consider this my first) I'm day 10 post harmony and still waiting to hear ... It's a tense time. My nuchal was good so hoping the bloods are too.
I am desperate to share news with my nearest and dearest too as I'll be 12 weeks tomorrow, but trying to stay measured and patient.
Good luck with everything your end and to all those still awaiting results .

HI Kitty, same here. We had a big family gathering last weekend, at which we originally wanted to make the big relevation. But after my results came back as high risk and the first round of the Harmony didn't work, we decided against it. I could not face getting involved in discussions about decisions about what we would/could do when it comes to the worst, esp as my DH's family can get very argumentative, even more when alcohol is involved (and there was lots).

Keeping There is a good chance that they might give you a call soon - well, they called me before the 2 weeks were up to let me know it didn't work, but other on here have said that they also got their results sooner.

I'm wondering if they are working on getting the analyses done here in the UK at some point... Such a faff, having to send it all over to the US all the time! The paperwork of sending biological samples over there is horrendous, and I suspect part of the reason why it takes so long.

I had the bloods taken on a Saturday, I got a call (followed by an email with the paperwork), on the Tuesday morning a week and a bit later, around 11 ish.

Hi everyone. I called the FMC today to learn that the blood test indicated low risk and I'm having a baby girl. Relieved and hopeful that this pregnancy continues without a hitch one day at a time. Am thankful for having had the chance to take this test despite the anxiety. Good luck everyone and all the best in the coming days, weeks and months.

Aww that's lovely keepingthefaith many congratulations to you xxx

Congrats Keeping. That's great news.

Great news, keeping, what a relief! And congratulations on your baby girls

*girl, oops. just gave you twins by mistake, sorry!

Thanks so much ladies, this thread has meant a lot to me - and I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences. Wishing you all the very best of luck.

Got my results today - all ok .. Yippeee

Oh and it's a boy

Congrats keepingthefaith and Daytona

Brilliant news Daytona xx