Need some advice about testing/NIFTY please.

[SoMuchFruit]

Hi Ladies,

Looking for some advice about testing. I am currently 8+2 with #2. I was a happy-go-lucky pregnant lady with #1. No real problems, gorgeous healthy boy who is now 4.5yrs.

I had a MC at Christmas which shook me badly. Pg again and had an early scan at 7+2 which was fine. Heartbeat and all looking ok. I am still desperately paranoid though, and not keen on anyone knowing bar those who are totally necessary until much (much!) further on. I'd keep this pregnancy a total secret until new baby arrived if I could

Current paranoia is now encompassing pre-natal testing. Trying to decide on whether to have a NIFTY test. GP thinks not, I am undecided. DH would do whatever makes me feel better.

I am 39 in July, this baby would be due in Jan 2015 which makes me in my 40th year when it arrives. General stats for my age are 1 in 100 for Downs Syndrome. Would you have the NIFTY test if you were me ?

I would. I had the test done at 10 weeks pregnant. The results took two weeks and I got the results at my NT screening. The reason I did it was last time I had a 1 in 34 (typical chromosomes in the end) that stressed me out enormously.

I'm very glad I did as the results came through and I was told I was low risk (Harmony in my case, 1 in 10,000) at the start of my NT scan. At the end of the scan I was told what my results would have been with my NT bloodwork.. 1 in 5.

So so glad I already had the negative Harmony and did not have to wait two weeks in terror. That price for peace of mind was more than worth it. She's 3 months old now and does not have Down Syndrome - despite the 1 in 5 result, the Harmony test was correct.

I would if you can afford it. I don't see the downside - there is no miscarriage risk. However I'm the sort of person who always prefers to have more information.

I would definitely have it. I was happily cruising along in my pregnancy and then I was so totally shocked when my screening results gave me a risk of greater than 1 in 5. I was not expecting it at all. I opted for nifty and it was amazing. They did a scan which was far far better than any nhs scan and then my bloods took 11 working days and I have the reassurance of knowing my baby doesn't have downs.

Having been through all that I would definitely go for nifty add early as pos and just skip the nhs screening. The nhs test is inaccurate and nowhere near as reliable.

I mean if your nhs screening came back at 1 in 100 you'd prob have it anyway so just go for it now.

I definitely would have it as early as possible. I've just been through the nightmare of being high risk at the 12 wk scan and then having to wait for the Harmony tests results - possibly the worst week of my life. Some hospitals are trialling the Harmony/Nifty for free - mine didn't but offered it privately - but maybe worth checking? In any case, as minipie says, if you can afford it go for it. Good luck x

Thanks Ladies.

I have investigated the options, not easy in Ireland and will be booking a NIFTY test.

I am pretty shocked at the attitude to testing here. I love my country but the small mindedness is dumbfounding sometimes.

No doubt I will be here to ask advice etc again though Thanks for the replies.