Harmony test. Should I?!

[Skinnylegs33]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone could give some word of advice on this? Am considering paying for a Harmony test;I've actually booked it for this THURSDAY but I am having second thoughts, mainly because of cost.
It is £400 (for a viability scan, blood tests and a nuchal scan in 2 weeks)that we could really do with. If I go there after 11w it will be £500.

Could anyone please advise whether it's worth having it done? What does it bring extra compared to the NHS testing?

I am 33 yo and 10w2d pregnant (dated by an NHS obgyn yesterday). Had the scan as I've had 2 mmc previously (at 6 and 7 w) - not sure whether the mmc bit is relevant, but I also have this "what if" fear to deal with.

Would appreciate any words of wisdom as I'm really confused. The fact that I got so far this time hasn't properly sank in and I want to do things right as much as possible.

I hope it goes OK.

London posters should be aware that both UCH and Kings are trialling the Harmony test on the NHS, as someone above has already mentioned.

Kings antenatal care is run by Dr Nicolaides, who is also the head of the Fetal Medicine Centre. I am told the only difference in the treatment of patients in the two places is that the gel is warmed at FMC! Certainly I have had incredibly thorough scans every time at Kings, and screening at the cutting edge, including Harmony last year. I wish the same was available across the whole NHS but the Harmony pilot is looking to unroll use of it everywhere if it can be proved clinically effective.

threesoundslikealot thank you
I'm under c&w. I had the option to choose between this and St Mary's and went with c&w.
It's too late for me now to try the nhs route under kings, but could I have done it or do you have to live in the area?
I've certainly heard lots of good things about kings but never crossed my mind I could fall under their care due to living in a different area

I think they are pretty tight on their catchment now, unless you're referred by another hospital. UCH should be similarly excellent - I don't know about their referral criteria though. The London teaching hospitals in general should have good screening though. The work done by Professor Nicolaides over recent years means that checks like the triple test, NFT and soft markers are spreading across the country, and teaching hospitals should have been amongst the first to pick them up. It's very unlikely to be as a previous poster described of a very basic check.

Happy to report back.

Finally received the results yesterday and they came as very low risk.
All in all I believe it was money well spent and I would do it again anytime, for peace of mind.
I can't compare the Harmony results with the NHS ones as I have chosen not to go for the NHS scan and testing.
I have called the ultrasound dept in the hospital I'm with and I've been told that they do not recommend going for the NHS testing if I've done the Harmony. I was relieved to hear that as I was dreading another episode of high anxiety :/

In terms of the service received, I was disappointed at first as I have read on here how the technicians/drs at the FMC are very gentle and explain everything they see offering reassurance to those that don't like long episodes of silence during their scans.
We went there on Thursday and were seen by a lady who didn't seem to smile or talk much. I was so scared that I will get bad news and I kept asking what does she see/is there a hb/etc as the lady scanning us did not seem to cooperate much.

After the viability scan (she dated me at almost a week ahead of the epau scan) I went for the blood test - which did not hurt at all. The lady that took my blood had angel hands, I swear i did not feel a thing.

Anyway, after blood was drawn I was invited to book the Nuchal scan and I asked the receptionist if she could kindly book me in with someone else next time - she seemed surprised by my request and told me that the lady doing my scan was one of their best consultants but she understands if I wanted to switch. Hearing that I changed my mind and now I am happy I did as the nuchal scan was great.
She seemed to be in a much better mood (probably previously she had one of those days) - and she calmly explained everything she was seeing and offered the reassurance I was desperately seeking.

All in all, very happy with our decision to go for the FMC and now have booked an early anomaly scan with them and hopefully will book the 20 week scan with the same consultant.

Blood test results came back in less than 2 weeks - 11 days actually. We chose to find out the sex of the baby and that was one of the most emotional moments I've lived so far

Great to hear it all went so well! I've got my appointment for my results at the FMC next week and I'm bricking it.

siani I know exactly how that feels.I was a ticking bomb while waiting for the results. I haven't announced it because I really wanted to see how the Harmony comes back.
Now, that I know, I still haven't told people

I think there will always be something to worry about unfortunately; at least that's how I am.

I'm sure everything will turn up great at your end too I'll keep everything crossed for you! Best of luck!

Madrigals I think that's very likely. I could see other consultants/doctors coming to welcome the ladies for their appointments. When I saw my consultant walking in I was like "hope she's not coming for me"
But she did turn out to be quite nice in the end.
Some people can't leave their problems outside the office and I am one of them too; luckily I am not client facing :)