NIPT 3rd attempt = no result

[1stTimeMum2Be]

Hello,

I had a relatively low risk NT combined result at 13 weeks however I decided (a little later than most) that with being 39 years old I would book in for an NIPT for extra reassurance.

I had my first test at 18+6 and had my 3rd redraw at 21+5. All 3 results came back as low fetal DNA so they can't give a result.

They have offered to try again a 4th time in 2 weeks (I'll be over 24 weeks by then) as they say the percentage of fetal DNA increases with gestation.

When I went in the 3rd time the sonographer seemed surprised that it was my 3rd attempt and suggested if this doesn't work it's not worth continuing.

Does anyone have any experience or advice as I'm not sure if I should just leave it now but also worried that something could be wrong after lots of Googling with suggestions that no result can infact be because of a chromosomal abnormality!?

Many thanks

A worried first time mum to be x

@1stTimeMum2Be I think there is one called the panorama test too, they can do that from 9 weeks so I don't know if it does something different to Harmony. Checks for the same things as far as I know, maybe you could look in to that if you are concerned on 4th Harmony coming back low dna again. I would perhaps ask midwife/maybe one of the places that does the test, rather than the clinic sending them off for a view on a low dna as google is terrible for scaring us

Thanks @LittleDoveLove

I'm going to speak to the lab on Monday and see if they can offer any more insight and guidance.

Might be worth me looking at a different test like Panorama to see if they do a different kind of analysis on the bloods which could work in my favour. I will know more once I've spoken to the lab.

Google really can be the worst sometimes, I need to stop looking!!

x

Hello.. I just wanted to share my story as I too have had 6 weeks of stress and worry waiting for NIPT results, not helped by googling and reading scare stories!
I am 39 and was given 1:90 risk of DS. This was based on my age, weight, low paap-a and a high hcg. The screening midwives seemed quite keen to book me on for an amnio but I decided to go for the Panorama NIPT test. My first result took 14 days to come back and was inconclusive. I was devastated but tried to be realistic. My second result also took 14 days by which time i was 18 weeks and had convinced myself there was something wrong- from DS to cancer. The results then came back low risk for all tests.. my advice (in hindsight!) is to keep strong and keep an open mind.. try not to read the negative stories as every case is very different. Wishing you all the best for your pregnancies xx

I think you should leave it, especially as pregnancy is now quite advanced. The fact they can't do the test because of low fetal DNA doesn't imply anything about what the result would be. Most women of your age don't do the Harmony test at all and if they do (I did) they do it before the combined results come through. (I was 38 when I had my last baby and got results at 10 weeks.) But if I had already known it was going to be low risk, I probably wouldn't have done! There are not many false negatives with the combined screening for us oldies -- much more common to have a not very reassuring answer with a perfectly healthy baby. In these cases, though, the NHS will either offer further screening themselves or be looking very carefully at the 20 week scan. Congratulations on the pregnancy! I don't think you should worry!

Hello ladies,

Little update....

I went for a 4th and final redraw and I got results!

Everything low risk so that has given me peace of mind.

Thanks for your info and sharing your stories too

x