Harmony test Vs Panorama?

[1NuDad]

Hi there.

My partner is 6 weeks pregnant, so we are looking at all the options for the tests we can get to look at the baby's chances of abnormalities etc.

We believe that we can get the Harmony test on the NHS with our hospital that we're referring to.

But we've also been recommended to pay £500 to have this "Panorama test" in a private London clinic. http://www.thebirthcompany.co.uk/non-invasive-prenatal-test/panorama-test/

We're moving house at the moment, so don't have buckets full of cash but want to be as safe as possible.

How much do these two tests differ? Is it worth us getting the Panorama test? Or should we just try and stick to the harmony test?

Many thanks.
1ND.

I don't think there's a huge difference, I think one isn't suitable for multiple pregnancies and one can be done a week earlier than the other. I had harmony and paid £375 but not in the UK. If you are in London the fetal medicine centre do a great value package for early scans and the Harmony test for £400 odd.

Thanks Sparklyuggs.

We can apparently get this with our hospital which sounds comprehensive.

Good to know what else is available though.

We have booked Harmony with Fetal Medicine Centre (who have been excellent so far). Interested to hear what the differences are between that and the Panorama test?

Panorama can be done a week earlier, and tests for a few more things including DiGeroge syndrome.
Slightly different methology but does essentially the same thing.
Not a huge difference.
If I had to pay for either I'd choose panorama, but if Harmony is free, I'd go with that. Unless you're particularly concerned about the conditions not covered by Harmony.

I don't think that reads that the harmony is free - just that if you come out as high risk on starts screening you'll get offered it. They do that in Birmingham too.

I agree. They're not offering harmony for free; they're offering it instead of an amnio if you come out as high risk.

*not offering it as free to everyone

Thanks very much. Yes, I understand how I misread it now!

Which one of these are the most comprehensive please?

www.fetalmedicine.com/harmony-test

www.thebirthcompany.co.uk/non-invasive-prenatal-test/panorama-test/

Is it the Panorama, given that its £100 more?!

I had the Panorama over Harmony last week as they cost the same (at the birth company, harley st) and they test for some extra abnormalitiss over the Harmony. Bloods are sent to America, so in theory a longer wait, but mine came back less than 7 days later. Best £500 I've ever spent, after a horrible shock at 20 week scan. (Results came back low)

Wow, thank you. Good luck with the results if you haven't already had them.

We're only at 7 weeks but considering our options as my partner's 37 years old.

Would you say only to go with a private scan if the NHS scans show signs of abnormalities?

Right now as my experience is still recent and raw I would say I will go and have a private Harmony/Panorama type blood test as early as possible for any future pregnancies, because it was so horrible to get to 23 weeks and have this happen out of the blue (after no issues at my first scan).
Perhaps my view will change over time. And this is just my experience/view - absolutely everyone is different and has their own feelings and opinions on this sensitive issue.
The Panorama test I had is available from 9 weeks.
(My results came back at 1 in 10,000)

I am also under Kings.
From what I gather, at your 13 week scan IF you came up as a higher risk (more than 1 in 250 I believe??) then you would get the Harmony test for free, with them. It's available up to 14 weeks on the NHS with them as a pilot scheme.
(This was not applicable to me last week as I was 22 weeks and nothing abnormal was picked up at my first scan)

I went to The Birth Company for my NIPT and found them to be excellent. The first thing they did in the consultation was discuss the pros and cons of the different NIPT tests available through them and then DH and I made a decision based on the technician's recommendation.

I ended up having the SAFE test done, where the blood is analysed at St George's in London. This therefore gives a quicker result. There were other reasons for choosing this one too, but that was the main one.

Personally, if you can afford it I'd recommend getting a test done. I'm 30 with no risk factors and still think it was one of the best things I spent money on with regards to pregnancy/baby.

I did the harmony test as the other wasn't available where I live, and I was less concerned about the additional conditions the panorama test screens for.

If money is an issue you could wait for the scan, but I loved knowing at 11 weeks that my baby was very low risk, it eased my anxiety immensely.

I had the panomera as it tested for more disorders including some deletions. You can also have it done sooner. Good luck xx

That's all great advice, thanks everyone. Think we're going to get the Panorama test then. As you say, if it can just eliminate some anxieties then perfect!