Thank you ladies, your support means a lot.
Pukekos - yes they did scan me at the same time - the baby was growing as expected, had a strong heartbeat and was wriggling around a lot, (but then so was my son who had Downs, so who knows?) I also had an NHS scan at 9 weeks because I'm classed as high risk after what happened before and I have my 12 week NHS scan this coming Monday. I have everything crossed for you and I'm hoping you get your results really soon with a happy outcome - did you opt to find out the sex at the same time? We did. DH and I have a feeling it's a girl although of course we could be completely wrong.
Mama, you're right, waiting for the second time around, especially with this delay is absolute hell. I have to say I have surprised myself with just how strong I've been but what's the alternative?
I would not recommend Ultrasound Direct for the Harmony test. The staff in head office are helpful and sympathetic, but they're chronically understaffed out on site and at every stage both this time and last time round there have been problems which have delayed the process. Back in August when I had my first Harmony test the sonographer was supposedly qualified to take blood, but he ended up sticking the needle straight through my veins in both arms and failed to draw a single drop leaving me in pain and with severe bruising on my arms that lasted over a month. This meant I had to return on another date to give my sample and due to staff absences this delayed my first Harmony test result by three days ...
This time round, I received a phone call less than an hour before my appointment to say that the receptionist was off sick and therefore no one was available to process card payments so could I bring the £400 with me in cash? The amount was higher than my daily withdrawal limit at the bank, so thanks for the notice! Now of course, with the inconclusive blood test result and the staff absences at my clinic meaning that I have to travel to another city, I'm looking at a 9-day delay on these results and all the time my baby is growing and becoming more human-like. I am just hoping and praying that he / she is healthy and I don't have to endure the same nightmare all over again.