Harmony Test - Waiting for results...............

[Xuxidog]

Hello there!

I am a frequent reader of mumsnet since becoming pregnant, but have registered specifically because another thread on this topic, which has been so helpful and informative - and a kind member suggested I start my own thread, so here it is!

I am 36 years old and 15 weeks pregnant today with my first pregnancy. Its fair to say that I have been pretty anxious all the way through so far, after a couple of initial little bleeds.

I live in Mallorca, and our health insurance covers maternal care, so I have been very lucky to have seen my private OBGYN many times so far, and have had several scans.

He performed the NT scan at 12w6d (though I was measuring 13w6d) and all was normal - NT measurement of 1.89. Then he took blood and I got the results back on Monday - 1:240 risk of downs (so higher than the 1:270 benchmark for my age) and over 4 x normal HCG level. PAPP A was 1.3 something so within the norm.

He said that he would not do an amnio for another couple of weeks until the baby is bigger (8.6cm on Tuesday 14w3d - back within my dates) but told me about the Harmony test which I went in for on Tuesday 30th July (he also did another quick scan as my request as I always find it reassuring to hear the heartbeat (148bpm) and know that the baby is alive and well). The test is not covered by our health plan, and we had to pay ?750, but I decided it was worth it on the basis that a) I could be doing SOMETHING during the 2 weeks I would have to wait for an amnio and b) that I hopefully won't have to have an invasive and risky procedure if the Harmony results are good.

So - apparently, I am the first person that they have done the test for, and they don't know how long the results will take (they go to Barcelona I think), and he has now gone on holiday until 12th August (maybe thats why he would wait on the amnio??), so I will have to wait at least until then.

I told everyone I was pregnant at 12 weeks, as as anxious as I am, it was more about m/c and I really didn't expect this....I don't do well with waiting and this next couple of weeks are going to feel like an eternity, and I hope that others going who have or are going through this will contribute to this thread as it will be a real life line.

Loooong day so far - day 5 since the test......

Hi Xidog, sorry you are having this of difficult wait. I din't think the Harmony test is widely available in the uk, certainly not something the NHS offers. So there may not be many other mn users waiting for that specific result.

I hope it comes back negative for you.

Thanks Leelteloo, I really appreciate the message. xx

Hi I did have harmony test as well. It took 2weeks. Its offered only privately in uk this is why not many women can comment. I found helpful american forum. Its more available over there. If you google poor prenatal diagnosis baby centre then choose link poor prenatal diagnosis community baby centre ,it will take you to this forum. Also if you google harmony baby centre.then choose link harmony verifi maternity 21discussion community baby centre ,you will find more info on it. Generally there are false positives results on harmony Women do amnio after and get clear. So no all positives are true positives. As for false negatives , there are some with similar test called maternity 21. Only few but still. I hope it will help

Thanks Lorakk, that does help, and the forum that you mentioned.
Day 6 since test was done........ xx

Hi Mrs J - goodness so you are nearly 3 weeks into this worry, you must be going crazy......
My Dr. thinks I am having a little boy too, but he is not 100% - he only told me as I asked. Harmony will confirm the sex (hoping that the test works as that is another worry!).
Keep us posted.
xx

Fingers crossed for both of you and anyone else waiting for their harmony results. I had the harmony at just short of 11 weeks at the FMC and was very impressed with their professionalism. I wasn't actually too worried about the results as the scan pre-harmony there was so reassuring. I went back 2 weeks later for the nuchal and results from harmony and all fine. I have to say I was more than a little nervous in the waiting room though! Also had 20 weeks scan there as was just so impressed with the level of detail they go into. Currently 28 weeks . Oh and just one word of warning about telling the sex...the FMC told me 'girl' at the 10 week scan, but very definitely boy at 20 weeks

MrsJ that's fab!

Xuxi just thought i'd pop in and see how your thread's going :) Any news?

Wow MrsJ, that is such wonderful news, I am so thrilled for you.
Fluffy - thanks, its 7 days today since the test (8 if you count the day of the test!). I don't expect to hear anything until my Dr gets back from holidays on the 12th, but his secretary did say that she would be popping into the office this week, and if there was anything she would let him know.....

Thank you diege for your kind thoughts x

Good luck for your Harmony result xuxidog. I had the test earlier in the year at the FMC in London, decided to have it done as am a 34 year old worrier. I had it done early at 10 weeks and so had low risk result at 12 weeks which was reassuring.

Try to keep yourself occupied- working yourself up won't help. I'm 38+1 so not long to go now!

Thank you Dexidoo - pleased that your results were good. Not long AT ALL for you now, how exciting! xx

Hi just wanted to let you know my experience.
I got a call from the hospital 3 days after my 12 week scan to say screening showed the risk of Downs as 1 in 19. I was shocked and in a complete state as that seems such a high risk to me.
The NT was 2.80mm combined with my bloods ( I can't remember exactly what they were) and I'm 35 so fall into higher risk.
They offered us a CVS straight away, wait until 16 weeks for an amnio or try the Harmony testing.
We decided to go for the Harmony. Fortunately our local NHS hospital has just started offering this an option. We still have to pay £550 and the sample gets sent to the US. But the Screening Coordinator at the hospital takes the blood and sorts the paperwork.
I've just had the worst two weeks ever waiting for the results. The thread on here really helped give me hope.
Anyway, I got a call on Monday (12 days after bloods) to say the risk has come back as 1 in 10,000.
We are so relieved and I feel like I've been on a roller coaster of emotions. I can finally get used to being pregnant.
So good luck with your results, I know the waiting is horrendous but fingers crossed you get the same good news.

Sfinlay - thanks for sharing your experience, what a nightmare for you - at 1:19 you must have been worried sick. I am so pleased that all has turned out OK for you. I can really relate to your comment about getting used to being pregnant - I feel in such a limbo at the moment that I can't settle into the pregnancy, but at the same time my little one is growing day by day. I am hoping and praying for good news, and hoping that I don't have to wait any longer than 2 weeks. xx
P.S. 8 days today since the test (9 if you count the day of the test!). My doctor will be back on Monday, so at least I can call to see if the results are in, and if they are not then ask them to find out when they will be.

day 9.................this waiting is awful - am trying to stay positive but have this feeling of impending doom that I will be the 1 in 240.............OH thinks I am worrying over nothing, and no one else knows. x

Thanks Xuxidog. You're right 1 in 19 seems such a high risk so I hope it gives you some hope that my results were fine. I don't think you're worrying over nothing. I think it was the most stressful 2 weeks of my life waiting for the results. I was counting the days trying to work out if you count from the day you have the blood taken or the day the sample gets to the lab! I think I even half convinced myself that I wasn't pregnant anymore. Anyway I'm sure your results will be back soon and will be fine. 1 in 240 is not classed as high risk at my hospital. Fingers crossed for you and let us know how you get on. x

Thanks Sfinlay - will do.

Day 10 today since the test (11 if you count the day of the test!!).
The weekend is streeeeeetching ahead of me, and I am getting grumpier by the day! To top it all, we have a couple of social engagements this weekend where people will be asking all about the baby, am I OK etc etc. Oh well, it may help to pass the time!!

I kept really busy to help pass the time. I was exhausted though as I didn't want to sit down and stop or I'd start stressing about it. Monday when I found out wash day 12 after taking the test so I'm sure you'll find out this Monday. Good luck for the weekend.

Day 13!

Have spoken to the clinic, and we will have the results on Wednesday afternoon, so another couple of days of waiting......

Fingers crossed for Wednesday xuxidog - I have been thinking of you!