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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

Screening tests in Northern Ireland

47 replies

Geep · 28/09/2023 23:30

Hi,

I'm just wondering has anyone went privately for screening tests in Northern Ireland? My understanding is, they are not offered routinely at the 12 week appointment/scan. Is this correct?

Due to my age (38) I was considering booking a nipt test at 10 weeks. Has anyone done this?

Also is this the same as the harmony test?

Thanks in advance

OP posts:
Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 04/10/2023 22:26

Yeo! I think it depends on the trust. I'm with Southeastern and they don't do it so I went to Vitalis in Belfast. It was a NIPT but a better version of the Harmony one called 'Illumina Veriseq'. It's more accurate. £400 but you get the results in 3-5 which is great.

nats2010 · 04/10/2023 23:13

I have been looking at this too. I will be 41 when my 5th and final baby arrives all being well. I had genetic issues at end of 2020 and had amniocentesis which discovered these. Had to TFMR because of said issues. Subsequent pregnancy I had looked to private testing for £550 in Belfast but was offered amniocentesis again and took the opportunity and all was well. I meet the consultant this Friday and will have the discussion about testing. I feel even though it is quite expensive, the testing is something I would definitely opt for when it comes to peace of mind. Its not routinely offered here in NI as far as I'm aware and its not something I would ever have thought of only I was dragged from my blissful "no such thing as pregnancy problems" bubble and into a reality that hits mummies over a certain age. I'm based in Southern Trust. I looked for one of the consultants who dealt with me in fetal medicine in RVH that did private work as I found him very approachable, honest and he advocated for both mine, my partner and my then baby's needs. Please PM if you would like. Its a scary time when you are just concerned with doing the right thing x

Original poster
Geep · 06/10/2023 09:22

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean @nats2010 thanks for your responses.
I'm also with south Eastern trust so think I'll definitely be going private for testing.
I had also posted this in the pregnancy chat as wasn't sure where to post, and responses there suggested direct ultra sound in belfast.

I have another early scan next week when I should be 9 weeks. So if all is still progressing, I'll book something. Will have a look at vitals in belfast as well, as the reduced waiting time for results is appealing.

OP posts:
Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 06/10/2023 11:31

Honestly, I went to Vitalis because I wanted to get Boojum afterwards 😬

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 06/10/2023 15:59

Had the test on Monday, got the results this morning!

Original poster
Geep · 06/10/2023 18:03

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean that really made me laugh about boojum!! But definitely a good reason.
That's brilliant you got the results so quickly.
Does the £400 include a scan? Also how far along where you? I will prob book for a day or two after 10 weeks.

OP posts:
Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 06/10/2023 18:08

There was no scan, just the blood test. I thought it was very steep at the time but now that we know the results it feels like money well spent. I was 19 weeks to the day but I would have done it earlier if I'd realised South Eastern doesn't do any chromosome testing 😳

We also found out that it's a definitely a girl, which is fun!

Original poster
Geep · 06/10/2023 20:32

Congratulations on you baby girl! I wonder how do they confirm that you are at least 10 weeks, or do they just take your word for it, or do you have to pay extra for a scan.
I have a scan on Monday and will give them a call after that to see. I think direct ultra sounds price of £400 includes a scan.

OP posts:
Alice0703 · 17/10/2023 21:06

Geep · 06/10/2023 20:32

Congratulations on you baby girl! I wonder how do they confirm that you are at least 10 weeks, or do they just take your word for it, or do you have to pay extra for a scan.
I have a scan on Monday and will give them a call after that to see. I think direct ultra sounds price of £400 includes a scan.

Have you decided which one to go for, if you don’t mind me asking? I just had my 12-week appointment at the hospital and was told that they don’t offer NIPT here. If I want to do it, I’ll have to go private. A consultant recommended Kingsbridge, which is £150 more expensive than Ultrasound Direct. I’m not sure what the difference between the two is.

hotcandle · 17/10/2023 21:11

Have I understood it correctly that hospitals in NI don't do down syndrome and chromosomal testing?

I might have to look into this then. I'm based in Mid Ulster.

TheCraicDealer · 17/10/2023 21:24

I had it with both my successful pregnancies. The first in 2019 we went to Belfast Fertility near the docks, it was fine, scan and discussion with a consultant but the main thing was the blood draw. Consultant called me with the results which were all straightforward and very low risk.

I had a few mc after DD and when I got to about 10w with DS last year I started looking to see where offered testing- Belfast Fertility had stopped offering it, and a few enquiries I sent to some Obstetricians who did private work went unanswered or their secretaries said they didn’t offer it. Eventually ended up going to The Mid Ulster Clinic just outside Magherafelt which was £150 cheaper than Knightsbridge. I was travelling from Lisburn so wasn’t too far from me, all things considered. Again, saw a consultant who did a scan which was a bonus. The results (again, low risk) were communicated by an admin but I would have been able to discuss with the consultant if I’d wanted.

I would be hesitant in going somewhere like Ultrasound Direct. I’ve had shit news at one of those places (ironically when going for the Harmony test and finding out I’d had a missed mc) and I’d rather have the option to discuss results with a consultant if needed. Also due to that experience with future pregnancies I held off having the Harmony until after my NHS scan at 12w just in case- UD asked me to pay the balance on arrival and I had to wait several weeks for the refund of £300 odd quid once the scan revealed the pregnancy had stopped developing a few weeks prior. I’m not slagging off UD and did use them for reassurance scans after that, but it’s not the same level of service compared to a clinic staffed by consultant obstetricians.

ColleenDonaghy · 17/10/2023 21:38

hotcandle · 17/10/2023 21:11

Have I understood it correctly that hospitals in NI don't do down syndrome and chromosomal testing?

I might have to look into this then. I'm based in Mid Ulster.

Kids are 5 and 3 now so things may have changed, but I asked at the Ulster and they did a blood test, can't remember what it's called now. But essentially the blood test element of the combined test in the rest of the UK I think.

It's (supposedly) offered to everyone over 35 and if you're younger you can request it.

We decided that that plus the 20 week scan was sufficient for us, and that if the blood test showed anything we could do Harmony or the like then.

Alice0703 · 17/10/2023 21:38

TheCraicDealer · 17/10/2023 21:24

I had it with both my successful pregnancies. The first in 2019 we went to Belfast Fertility near the docks, it was fine, scan and discussion with a consultant but the main thing was the blood draw. Consultant called me with the results which were all straightforward and very low risk.

I had a few mc after DD and when I got to about 10w with DS last year I started looking to see where offered testing- Belfast Fertility had stopped offering it, and a few enquiries I sent to some Obstetricians who did private work went unanswered or their secretaries said they didn’t offer it. Eventually ended up going to The Mid Ulster Clinic just outside Magherafelt which was £150 cheaper than Knightsbridge. I was travelling from Lisburn so wasn’t too far from me, all things considered. Again, saw a consultant who did a scan which was a bonus. The results (again, low risk) were communicated by an admin but I would have been able to discuss with the consultant if I’d wanted.

I would be hesitant in going somewhere like Ultrasound Direct. I’ve had shit news at one of those places (ironically when going for the Harmony test and finding out I’d had a missed mc) and I’d rather have the option to discuss results with a consultant if needed. Also due to that experience with future pregnancies I held off having the Harmony until after my NHS scan at 12w just in case- UD asked me to pay the balance on arrival and I had to wait several weeks for the refund of £300 odd quid once the scan revealed the pregnancy had stopped developing a few weeks prior. I’m not slagging off UD and did use them for reassurance scans after that, but it’s not the same level of service compared to a clinic staffed by consultant obstetricians.

Thank you very much @TheCraicDealer This is really helpful! I did use UD for a early dating scan, but tbh am a bit hesitant to use them for nipt. I think you're right - a clinic with a consultant would be more reliable.

Original poster
Geep · 17/10/2023 22:16

Hi.

I ended up going with ultrasound direct. Wasn't really sure where to go and on another thread people recommended them. I'm not sure what to expect but found the process to be fine. I'm still waiting on results but have been advised that they will call if high risk and refer me on to the hospital if needed.
I will also hopefully have the results before my 12 week scan which is with a consultant (due to other medical reasons) so not having a consultant at US didn't seem like an big issue (however after reading these comments I'm now wondering).

OP posts:
Original poster
Geep · 20/10/2023 20:14

Just to update. We went to ultrasound direct for the nipt testing and got the results back 3 days later. I was happy with the service, especially the quick turn around on resultsas id expected longer. I understand though, if results had of been different and we wanted to speak to a consultant then I may have had a different opinion.

OP posts:
Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 20/10/2023 21:28

And I take it it was all good news? Sounds like it, woohoo!

Original poster
Geep · 21/10/2023 07:36

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean yes, we were given low probability for all 3. We were intending on going with vitalis, but since i was so close to the 10 week mark, I wanted them to scan me to make sure on the dates. Also nice getting another scan as it was the first one my husband was present for. Hopefully everything continues well.

OP posts:
Rosieposie0301 · 23/10/2023 14:56

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean Hey, just jumping on this thread as I have seen you went to Vitalis for the 10w test. I am going to use them for mine as well as I went to UD for an early reassurance scan for my last pregnancy (where i found out i was having a mmc) and i just have anxiety about going back there.

Can I ask, what scan do they need you to have before going for the blood draw? Would it be ok to have a private early reassurance scan at any of the clinics that offer this and do they ask for proof of it? Thanks

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 23/10/2023 16:57

They didn't ask for proof of anything. They want to make sure you're past 10 weeks because the test is pointless before that but they won't ask for proof. The lovely lady asked for my height and weight and I happily gave her my height but politely refused to be weighed as I didn't want to. No issue, she made something up to put on the form!

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 23/10/2023 16:58

I'm sorry about your MMC btw, that must have been a horrible experience.

Rosieposie0301 · 23/10/2023 20:08

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean ahhh no worries, I will prob be going for an early scan around 8w just due to my MMC last month.. I can’t wait for 12w, seems so far away.

it was really rough, something I never expected to go through and hope to never experience again.

I have got so lucky that I’ve got pregnant right away again before my Period returned!

is the test just them taking a blood sample from you? So good they get the results back so quickly. I’m so nervous for the test but I just need to know.

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 23/10/2023 20:22

Yup, it was a few questions and then she took some blood. I was in and out in no time. You're at such a nerve-wracking time, I hope it all just whizzes past for you and you get all the good news!

Rosieposie0301 · 24/10/2023 07:10

@Thankyouthankyoujellybean thats so amazing how quick it all is and how quickly the results come back. I don’t think I’d cope with a long wait for results!!
did they give you the results via phone call or email?
when are you due??

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 24/10/2023 13:04

I had the test on Monday morning and had the results via email on Friday morning. I liked that the first thing I saw was something like 'it's good news!' before they got into the details.

I'm now 22 weeks and if the baby was born today she'd have roughly a 10% chance of survival. I don't know why I find that reassuring, but I do!

Thankyouthankyoujellybean · 24/10/2023 13:04

Sorry, I should have tagged @Rosieposie0301