High risk for Down’s syndrome in combined test vs low risk harmony test.

[Sprakash]

Hi, I am 37 years old and pregnant with my second baby. I had a harmony test done privately and got a low risk result - less than 1/10,000 but had a nhs combined test - nuchal and blood and got high risk result 1 in 96. The scan was fine but my beta hcg is high and that combined with my age has given a high risk result. I was wondering if any one else has been in the same situation and what did you do? Did you go for any invasive testing? Thanks

[Sprakash]

Hi all, does anyone if you can insist for an elective c section, if your previous delivery was an emergency c section. I have had two appointments with different nhs consultants. The first one yes, you can have the c section. But the one I saw later has asked me to come in after a 36 week scan for an examination. I am sure 100% sure if I have got it right, but she looked at my notes from my first delivery and said the reason for c section was ischial spine but said it can depend on the doctor also on how they manage it. If they don’t recommend a c section at the 36 week appt, can I request for one. Considering how my previous delivery went and that I don’t intend to have more kids, I feel it’s much safer for me to have a c section. Also, wanted to know the options for private csection and if I can book one around 36/37 weeks? Thanks

[DieBabySharkDie]

You can insist on a c-section even if this is your first baby. They will frown upon it and try to persuade you otherwise but ultimately they would do it. So yeah, you can 100% have a c-section after 2 horrible births! I'm going to try for a VBAC after a horrible birth myself this time... I think! I may change my mind closer to the time though as I'm only 12wks.
By the way, I came across this thread because of the NIPT testing vs NHS screening - how did that all go in the end? I had the paramount test today (the newest, more updated and thorough version of the harmony) at the birth company in Harley Street - above the foetal medicine clinic I assume you went to? I have my NHS normal 12-14wk scan in 10 days and they have me booked in for a screening as week because my last pregnancy ended in miscarriage due to Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) - although I would have chosen to end the pregnancy anyway after I found out, I just wasn't given the time between finding out and actually making a decision. My body/the baby made it for me.
Anyway, I plan, once I know the results and assuming they are low this time (lightening surely can't strike twice?!?!), to just tell the NHS not to do the downs screening as it would be pointless and, because of my previous pregnancy, my age (36) and the NT I know now being 2.9mm I would be considered high risk with the NHS automatically. If it comes back that I am high risk from the paramount test then of course I will have the CVS test - I probably won't even tell the NHS that I had the NIPT test done privately as they will refuse me the CVS test on the NHS. They will insist on me carrying on down the private route - this was the kind advice from my Community Midwife when she did my booking appointment. She totally got my anxiety and said to go by the NIPT test results not the NHS ones and not even bother with the NHS screening if the private NIPT results were low risk...
Anyway, how did you get on? Sorry for the long post - doing my son's dinner and keep having to come back to carry on writing so I think I have repeated myself a few times 🤷🏻‍♀️

[Sprakash]

Hi, thanks good to know I can insist on c section. I struggle with taking a firm stand but have made my mind to insist on it. Hopefully they will listen! I didn’t I posted on my old thread! I was told that the harmony test over rules the nhs combined test. I was offered harmony in nhs also and as I was panicking I got it done again. If your paramount/harmony result comes low risk, you should be fine and don’t need the combined test. Best of luck!

[Koete]

@Sprakash I am in the same position you were in when you posted initially.(re: NHS Combined versus Harmony). It's my second pregnancy and I'm 38. My PAPP-A levels are very low and that, along with my age has made me (the pregnancy) high risk (1:44 chance of DS), yet I did the Harmony beforehand and it came back as low risk (1:10,000) and apparently they got a good DNA sample. People do say to trust the Harmony over NHS Combined, however I find once you hear that that you are 'high risk', it's quite difficult to 'unhear' it, so-to-speak. Would be grateful to hear how you got on. x

[Sprakash]

Hi, yes I absolutely understand that once you hear high risk it’s hard to unhear it! I went back to a consultant from where I had got the Harmony test done and she reassured me that if the result for DS in harmony is low risk, it is low risk and there is no need for any invasive testing. I have a 9 month lo now and I wish I had not spent my pregnancy worrying so much. But I guess it comes with the territory! Best of luck x