Central/east London NIPT? Recommendations?

[Elouera]

I wont need it till mid May, but hoping some have re-opened. Any places you would/wouldn't recommend and why?

Could try Fetal medicine centre?

Mine is via the NHS, but they use the SAFE test via St George’s hospital.

@WhatWouldPennyDo: can I ask why you are getting it on the NHS? What is the SAFE test?

Have you already had the 12week combined test? I'd read 3yrs ago that NIPT would be offered on NHS if combined test was 1:150 of higher of high risk, but haven't seen anywhere that is actually doing this? Our 1st pregnancy had trisomy 13, picked up on NIPT, hence would like it again.

@Elouera

I was given a 1:25 risk of Down’s following my 12w scan last week (they had the results from my earlier blood test 10 days before so that gave my combined result, which they told me after the sonographer had completed the scan). The screening midwife then offered me the NIPT or a CVS. Opted for NIPT and they took blood there and then.

They use St George’s as the lab. SAFE, I guess, is the name of their test, but is the standard NIPT. Results delayed by Bank holiday so still waiting for the outcome.

@WhatWouldPennyDo- Best of luck with the results

Thank you! Sorry yours wasn’t good news the first time around Fingers crossed for you this time.

I had a panorama at the Portland. I think it was at 9 weeks. Scan and NIPT tests for gender and trisomies etc. Results were fast. had a healthy baby girl.
For everything else I cant recommend blthe fetal medical centre highly enough. I had the NIPT at portland as they offered a test from an earlier date (panorama vs harmony).

Kings do it if your risk is higher than 1:500 but it's a bit too far from East London.

Portland hospital did my panorama test. Its euston so maybe ok (driving in london at the moment it so fast as its deserted. Taking we 12-15 mins to drive into london on a 45+ mins usual drive). Fetal medicine centre in hatleycstreet fo harmony test. Panorama from 9 werks,harmony was from 12.5 when I had it.

Panorama was reassuring as I ended up with two trainee sonographer on NHS on combined test who couldnt measure NT well.

@kirinm- was that 1:500 chance from the 12-14 week combined test?

I'm in East London and used "This is my NIPT". Had to go to Harley St for the blood test. (They do the scan there too but I didn't have the scan as I'd had my NHS scan the day before and it made it about £20 cheaper).

I think I’m going to go to the oaks in Loughton. I’ve not been before - with my last pregnancy I went to the fetal medicine centre who are great but I really want to avoid going into central, would much rather just drive out to Loughton and park outside. They do the harmony test.

Just to say I’d recommend the SAFE test at St George’s. They received my sample on Tuesday and I got my results today (less than a 1 in a million chance, thank goodness!).

Some other places to look up I hadn't considered- thanks. We have a car, but if possible, I'd prefer to walk. I have a viability scan next week at local hospital, so plan to ask them if they do it, or can recommend anywhere too.

Ideally, I'd want it done again at 10-11weeks, rather than waiting for the combined test.  I've heard of ladies having to wait till 14weeks for their combined test, then waiting weeks to have the NIPT on NHS. I'd prefer to know as early as possible, especially if its bad news as it was last time.

@Crabbo if it helps, central London is like a ghost town.its far more empty than any of the suburban areas. (I've been travelling between the two - work). Theres loads if parking in Harley street and all the surrounding areas. I cant imagine you wouldn't find a nearby space at all.

The St George’s website www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/service/maternity-services/your-pregnancy/fetal-medicine-unit/the-safe-test/ gives info about where you can get the SAFE test done, including a home visiting service

I am not sure if, other than cost and location there is a difference between providers. There is a scan to confirm date then a blood test sent to lab of the brand of test your are doing. If you are looking for NIPT in East London. There is ultrasound direct in South Woodford. The scan clinic in Gants Hill . And I believe a company in canary wharf. I can't comment on any of them but have seen them offer NIPT.

I guess if you have difficult veins it might make a difference and a larger central London clinic would be better.

We are very central/ slightly east London, but do have a car. I'd actually considered driving out of London to say Woodford or Loughton, but that is certainly an option. Other than location and whether they are actually open, is whether they do the testing in the UK. Some companies still send the test to USA, which obviously adds extra days to the turn around time. Veins good, so cannot imagine an issue with that.

Is ultrasound direct London city close to you? They are near cannon Street i think. They are currently closed but taking NIPT bookings early May. I think their south Woodford branch is taking them from 9th May (Saturdays only ). You can always phone and ask.

Also I think ultrasound direct use the Harmony test which has UK labs.

@sorenipples- I was actually looking at ultrasound direct London city. We could walk there. thanks.

Someone above mentioned the panorama test, so I'm looking into which clinics do that, and whether its worth it.

Most NIPT tests are pretty similar in accuracy. As you have identified there is a lot to be said for a test processed in the U.K. Beware of those that offer results for conditions other than trisomy 21,18 and 13 ( Downs, Edwards, Pataus) as they are highly unreliable with a great many false positives. It is not true in this case that the more you spend the better it is. Also very important to think about what follow up service is offered. Some clinics just email results to you & leave you to work it out. It is vital to remember that these are screening tests, not diagnostic, so results need to be carefully reviewed and discussed. A good provider would always offer to see you face to face in the case of a high chance result.

I've just booked with ultrasound direct for 2 weeks when I'm 10 weeks. When I researched this a few weeks ago I intended to have the IONA test as the labs are in Mcr, but my criteria has now changed to something local for the screening and ultrasound direct is closest. They also offer a redraw free of charge if the sample doesn't give a result, which given that I've booked at 10+1 I wanted to make sure that I'm not wasting £400.

@MrsC2018- In my experience of NIPT 4yrs ago, they will scan you first, to indeed check that you are 10+ weeks, before they do the blood test. All companies I've seen also will repeat if not enough DNA is collected the 1st time around.

I did read that a lady had it done twice with no result, which apparently is more common in IVF pregnancies. A worry, as this current pregnancy is IVF!