Pregnant at forty and over - thread 3

[Marquand]

To continue support for mothers to be over 40.

Hi Pingu I am 42 yo and 24+5. We did Harmony at 10 weeks because I just wanted the most accurate risk profile I could get without the invasive diagnostics. It is usually around £400 (in London) but I don't think the price varies massively because the tests are all done in the same lab in London - there is only the one place that has a license in the uk. As far as I could tell all packages include a scan because they want to check there is a viable pregnancy before they proceed and they also want to check there is just one foetus (they can still test with twins but need to know). So yes you wil have a scan.

What can vary between packages is the following:

• whether they automatically offer a free retest if the test fails (due to problems with the sample, nothing to do with the health of the baby but just how much free DNA there is to test, so this isn't a bad sign!). Most do because I think that lab offers that anyway
• whether they offer a definitive invasive test (amino or CVS) in the event that you come out high risk, as part of the original

Package price. This varied a lot. I expect you could get it on the NHS anyway but you may not want to wait if that happened

• what counselling they offer in The event of a high risk result

I think that's about it! I went with a company called Baby Bond because they were handiest for me to get tested but I don't think it matters much as all the same lab.

Lovely news about the cuddle Womble

Pingu don't know if this explains the price difference, but my Verify (same as Harmony) test was recommended/offered by my NHS care team at St Thomas' in London. They explained that it's private and the paperwork is handled upstairs in the private mat unit in the 12th floor, but the preceding scan etc was via my usual hospital, so still NHS.

@pingu. Welcome - You are younger then me :)

I didn't have the harmony. Think result was 1/500 which for my Age of 43 is good

The result wouldn't make any diff. We would still have bubs so didn't take the test

Thanks everyone for the really helpful advice! I hadn't heard of the Verify test, don't think that was around when I had DD 3 years ago. It sounds like I maybe need to shop around a bit, I live in the north west and my local clinic is a Bupa one so they probably charge a premium for the brand. There might be a bit more competition if I look at city based clinics. It is really interesting to hear that they are all done in the same lab anyway. I have my booking appointment in 2 weeks so might ask the midwife about it.

We had the Harmony test too because my sister had had a really stressful time with her last pregnancy being told her DS was high risk for downs due to her age +NT measurement and me being considerably older than she was then. We found it really reassuring. The only thing I would say, though, is that when we had the dating scan, the NT measurement was a bit higher than they'd like and they were really funny about accepting the harmony results - kept trying to push me to have a CVS which, given the percentage risk of miscarriage vs the percentage risk we'd been given in the Harmony results, we refused. A later scan by a consultant showed the measurement had resolved itself back to normal. Just seems odd given they kept saying themselves that the Harmony test is definitely more accurate than the NT measurement but then kept also trying to make me go for cvs

Wading in with boring stuff again, sorry!

The Verify test is different to Harmony (technically and in terms of patent cover) but does essentially the same job. So that won't go to the same lab as Harmony but to another lab. There are a few different varieties of test that do pretty much the same thing - they just vary slightly in the window of testing, turnaround time, technology used and in the accuracy of the results for the different trisomies (also implications for testing with multiple pregnancies, if that turns out to be relevant to you). When I looked a few months back none was obviously overall better than the others, they just had slightly different profiles of predictive accuracy for each of the three trisomies that they all tested for. It made my head spin a bit, TBH (and I was a research scientist so used to data!). I don't think you need to worry too much which to go for, as they will all do pretty much the same job and each of them will be tested in one or more central labs that are well controlled (because all are low volume and under patent). Harmony has been around longest so probably the most widespread availability. I just happen to know that for Harmony the samples all used to have to go to the US for the lab work but now TDL in London is licensed. Now samples don't need to be FedExed it has reduced cost and sped up the reporting times, which is good. I had my bloods done on the Sunday and got the results the following Friday, it was quicker than I expected!

Worth looking at national scanning companies like Baby Bond because they seemed to have quite a few clinics spread around, though no idea how much choice you will have where you live. Good luck!

Giz I wondered what the NHS would recommend if that happened. I suppose the problem is that neither Harmony (or equivalent alternative) and NHS NT /quadruple blood test is diagnostic, both are screening tests. Harmony et al give much lower rates of false negatives (and false positives) than standard NHS tests but both can be wrong. In the situation you were in EITHER the harmony test was a false negative OR the NT was a false positive (at that measurement). You can only definitely tell by doing a diagnostic invasive test. But if you don't do any further testing it is much more likely the harmony is correct.

Hopefully this post is helping with pregnancy insomnia, if nothing else

Useful info 💐💐

Many thanks seacow, I don't think it is boring at all! But then again I also work in medical research so I like this stuff

Looks like I can get a test done for £395 if I'm prepared to travel into Manchester. One place was charging £750 - ouch!

£750?! They are having a laugh.

Hi PIngu and congrats. I'm thinking of going to the Portland, they charge £500 and that's obviously central London so yes £750 seems crazy. They seem to offer two types Harmony and another brand but I can't really see that there is much of a difference between them.

Womble congrats! Thanks also for the info. Think having an active third stage in my circumstances would make total sense, so reassuring to know it won't necessarily happen every single time.

Hi Ladies, can I join your gang please.

Found out I'm pregnant 3 weeks ago and still can't get my head around it. I'm 44 and only 6 weeks at the moment, I've booked an early scan for next Saturday as I don't believe it's real. This will be my first baby and last (depending on it all going well). I've gone from shocked to excited to nervous that there will be nothing there at the scan, any tips for this high risk mum to be please?

Congrats @dee 👶🏼👶🏼👶🏼

No real tips apart from rest if you can

I'm 43 and first preg (5th ivf) and though suffered badly from hg the actual preg was ok fill 4w ago and swollen legs and extreme tiredness from waking up every hour for a wee

You may be consultant led as I am - have to tick 2 boxes

First baby over 40
Dvt /medical condition
High bmi
Bp problems
Ivf
Mc

Sure some others as well

I like being consultant led. Means I can't have a water or home birth - tho didn't want one anyway 😛

But get scanned every 3w (lovely to see bubs) and see consultant afterwards

Hi Dee and Congratulations!

No real advice unfortunately... I found it very hard to relax at the beginning as I had an early mc last summer (about 3 months before this pg) and so just took it one day at a time. I did pay for an early scan at 7w as it was good to know that it was looking normal at that stage. After that I just watched the risk stats tick down each day and felt gradually more confident.

I am still worrying now from time to time (of course!) but feel that this is now just normal pregnancy, normal worries.

I hope it works out for you. Although the odds of mc etc are a bit higher with age there are still plenty that make it fine so hopefully you will allow yourself to feel excited again soon!

Thanks for the info, seacow - not boring at all! We decided not to have the invasive testing since the measurement was fairly borderline and had gone back down to 2.7 when we had another scan two weeks later. I hope we did the right thing! I won't regret it eithe way.

Welcome Dee. I still stress out about things and I'm 22 weeks now. 42 and first baby here - as blondes said, there are a few of us around!

Talking of stressing...I'm not meant to worry about decreased movement until after 28 weeks, right ladies?

Thanks for that info blondes, my midwife mentioned consultant led care but I didn't really know what it meant. I'd like to have a water birth though, but then again scans every three weeks sounds good!

Hi dee, congratulations! Early pregnancy is such a mix of emotions isn't it? I really sympathise, I'm 7w with my second and my head is all over the place! I'd recommend taking things just a small stage at a time, e.g. focus on getting to the next midwife appointment, scan, etc. Also try not to tell too many people, which is hard, but untelling them if things sadly do go wrong just makes it so much worse (I've been there). Good luck with your scan.

I do like the 3w scans and chats with big cheese doc

Just reassure me

Or else you would be seen at 12&20 w and maybe nothing till 37/38w

Sitting in a pool with your poo floating past is overrated 😂😂😂😂

From my friend

Thanks for the lovely mental image Blondes

& welcome & congrats Dee!

Also 42 and first timer, Gizmo. Asked my MW today re movements and she said it's less about numbers and more about patterns. I get lots of movement when I lie on my back or sit on the couch at the end of the day.

Talked to the MW and anaesthetist today. Lots of pressure to opt for an epidural early due to "increased stillbirth risk for over 40s". Both say going full term to 40wks doubles risk from 1% to 2% for over 49s and that trying to do an induced labour with just G&A would be too long/ difficult.

Anaesthetist kept saying can't plan and shouldn't try and find out too much : "too much info can be bad". Combined with his "ask fur epidural early as it's easier for us and far less painful/ risky for you" message and I left feeling I'd had a telling off and a clear steer to go with easiest and best option for clinicians rather than choose what I want!

Not wedded to G&A but if there's a way of avoiding more intrusive procedure in favour of sthg more active then would prefer that. Obv not at expense of my/baby's health though!

Plus, had more blood taken - which given my needle terror was great, obv.

has it always been so difficult getting to the birth bit??

Thanks Blondes and congrats, sound like you've had a tough time of it. Yep I'm up for a wee every minute, boobs hurting and nauseous all the time, as much as it's not great I'm sort of glad in a way because it it's making the whole thing more realistic for me.

I'm hoping l will be consultant led just to give me that peace of mind especially as I keep being reminded that I'm 44 and high risk!

Congratulations and welcome to all the new women :)

Interesting re equdurial being the best option. When I was induced with my first I wish I'd had one as induction doesn't always proceed like normal labour. With my second I did really well on gas and air all the way through but dealing with the pph I wish I'd had one then. I'm seriously considering just going straight to having one this time but a bit worried it might lead to more interventions.

Thanks Seacow. after what you've been through I'm not surprised you were anxious, I like the idea of watching the risk stats go down as time goes on, that's definitely going to be me! I'm trying to not think ahead too much but it's so hard isn't it. 💐

Thanks Gizmo, glad to hear there are a few of us 1st time oldies around, as much as I want to enjoy this I can see I'll be stressing most of the way through, it doesn't help that I google for info (which I never usually do with anything else) 💐

Yes it really is Pingus, thanks I think taking it at small stages is a good way to deal with it, I've got my first midwife app and early scan on Saturday so I think once I'm past that first hurdle I'll hopefully learn to deal with it easier. I've probably told a few too many people but I think that's because I'm trying to make it more real for myself 💐

Thanks Teaspoon 💐

I have to share that my boyfriend and I broke up in the morning and I found out I was pregnant in the evening, the timing was great, like something you hear on Jeremy Kyle 😂

Congrats to you all and I hope everything goes smoothly for all of you lovely ladies

Dee sorry you split up? Any chance you will get back together ?

Yes I get told reg I'm high risk and red flagged and geratric

They made a huge deal about me not going past 40w as first baby over 40 and risk of stillborn

Havnt mentioned an apidural .....

Evening all, loads of new people!! Congratulations all!!
Giz I'm 27 weeks and massively stress over movement!!! Little one has active days and lazy days but lazy far outweigh active!!!! It stresses me out! I usually resort to a large cold drink (if only it could be wine/cider!) and then get some movement. My midwife just asks if there's movement, not interested how much so hoping all is OK!!!

I'm consultant led (42 and first timer) but don't get as many apts as some ladies. Maybe depends on risk factors?? Still get extra scans at 31 & 37 weeks tho which is good!!!

We gone in think 3 times for restricted movements - 26w - 35w and 37w

Always ring triage. They say come In. Plug us in and then few mins later bubs kicks and is then training for a marathon

Always the way

If unsure ring them and get checked out. That what they are there for and would prefer to see you then you sit at home and worry

Hello all
Just wanted to pop in and say hi - have been looking for this thread for a while, there are lots of discontinued / full ones!
I just discovered I was pregnant last night (due tomorrow so I guess that makes me 4 weeks pregnant? I'm 44, will be 45 by Nov. Was quite a surprise as we'd been trying/not-trying so it's not quite sunk in. All I seem to be doing is worrying about the negatives and what-ifs... Last pregnancy was fine from placenta prevaria - and then had an emergency C-sect, but I suffer from hybermobility which wasn't an issue 10 years ago. I can't get a GP appt for 10 days - grrr - how can a telephone consultation give me a definite answer on pregnancy? Grrr. Anyway rant over, but, hi everyone! xx