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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

NIPT age 40

18 replies

Lilfabet · 23/12/2018 12:38

Just wanted to know if anyone has any experience with the NIPT (Harmony or otherwise).

I’ll be 40 when the little one arrives so automatically get a 1:85 on the NHS due to my age without them even looking at the scan. Not due for the NHS scan until 2nd week of Jan (which will make me 12.5 weeks). Doesn’t seem to leave a lot of time for extra testing if all is not well.

Anyone had the test done that can give a bit of advise?

Thanks

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MynameisJune · 23/12/2018 12:42

You can have further NHS testing last 14 weeks? It’s just the initial tests they have a cut off for due to the NT measurement. An amniocentesis or CVS test can still be performed if you want.

The Harmony test can be performed at any point past 10 weeks. I had mine at 14 weeks when our NHS results came back less favourable than we hoped.

miki123 · 23/12/2018 13:03

I had NIPT (SAFE testing at St George’s hospital) at 10 weeks and, as a result, didn’t even have bloods taken at my 12 week scan, as the NIPT is far more accurate. It was all very smooth, I got the result within a week. Please let me know if you have any questions as I’d be happy to help where poss! X

miki123 · 23/12/2018 13:04

Ps I was really glad I did it, for peace of mind.

Nightmanagerfan · 23/12/2018 13:07

Your baseline nhs combined test will be 1:85 but when they do it you’ll get a more accurate reading based on NF measurement and hormone levels. If this comes back high some nhs hospitals are now trialing giving harmony or similar.

We terminated a pregnancy for medical reasons earlier this year and I was worried about testing this time, but it came up as 1/2400 so we didn’t have any further tests. I’m now 27 weeks and everything looks good.

MadeForThis · 23/12/2018 13:08

I had the harmony test when my results came back 1:5. I was 35 and mainly based on high nt measurement.

It was 4 years ago so my experience could be out of date.

We got a same day appointment with another scan and a quick blood test on a Monday. You can choose to find out the sex as one of the tests reveals gender as only applies to girls. They can hide this info if like us you didn't want to know.

I got a phone call on the Friday to tell me the results were good. 1:10,000. We were satisfied with this and had no further tests. Dd was fine.

If odds are high you can still do an amnio to confirm.

We were told that while the test is not considered diagnostic it will be in the future. Other countries use it this way. Australia???

Original poster

Lilfabet · 23/12/2018 13:11

This is going to sound really odd but I want to have the blood test but not a scan. My dp can’t be with me other than for the NHS scan due to his work and I don’t want him to miss a scan. Is this possible?

My question about timing was because I don’t know how quickly they do an amino (my nhs trust don’t offer cvs) or how long results take to come back. If they did come back as saying the baby had Downs we wouldn’t continue with the pg (don’t judge, we have a complicated set up and a child with additional needs already to consider the impact upon). Therefore time is an issue.

Thanks

OP posts:

miki123 · 23/12/2018 13:25

I had had a scan just a few days prior to the NIPT bloods being taken so they didn’t bother rescanning me...

MynameisJune · 23/12/2018 13:35

When I had my Harmony test there was the option to only have the blood test and not the scan as well. I’m sure if you ask you can, or they can scan and just not show you.

Your NHS results will come back within a couple of days if it’s high risk and the amnio should be offered very quickly after that.

Sunshinegirl82 · 23/12/2018 14:39

I had the harmony in both pregnancies at about 10/11 weeks. I got low risk results with both. I had the 12 week NHS scan but declined the blood tests and therefore didn't get a risk factor on the NHS (I didn't see the point given Harmony is so much more accurate).

I'm very glad I had the test as I found it reassuring and I would do the same again in any subsequent pregnancy.

I have had a scan prior to both harmony tests. The main reason for this as I understand it is that they want to check the pregnancy is viable before they charge you for the test. Where I had mine I don't think they would do the blood test without the scan but that might vary depending on the provider.

Best of luck.

Rainbowoman · 23/12/2018 14:58

I had the nhs tests no private test. I’m also an older mum. These tests are just for peace of mind. Good luck 😉 x

Kescilly · 23/12/2018 15:23

I had the Harmony test done privately, around ten weeks. It came back as insufficient fetal DNA so I had it done a week and a half later. Same result.

Ultimately we had the NT scan and bloods done and came back low risk, although still uncomfortably high for me.

I thought that the Harmony test would reassure me but instead it left us feeling unsettled and I wish we hadn’t done it.

SparkyBlue · 23/12/2018 19:13

I had the Harmony test done with my GP(I am in Ireland). I had the results back in three days and I found it very reassuring. I am 42 and having an unplanned pregnancy so it helped me get my head around things

RogueV · 24/12/2018 09:06

I had the NIPT (Harmony) done at age 35. I would highly recommend it for peace of mind

SmallYappyTypeDog · 24/12/2018 09:15

I had the Harmony Test done privately and it cost £395. Where I had it done you have to be scanned to check the location of pregnancy and for any problems. A lot of places are open evening and weekends if that helps your DP to come? The photos etc were much better quality than the NHS one so are a real keepsake. We even managed a 3d view of the baby which was amazing!

I got the results back exactly one week later and the day before my NHS scan, the NHS sonographer told me not to do the NHS test as the Harmony was far more accurate and I could worry myself unnecessarily if it came back high risk.

We also found out she was a girl! I think they said you can choose not to find out the sex as they could redact that piece, although if it comes back with an intersex disorder that would tell you the sex (I.e. a baby with Klinefelters is always male).

SmallYappyTypeDog · 24/12/2018 09:17

Just to add if I have another baby I would do it again straight away.

I don't know why the NHS don't offer it as standard, they also extracted my babies DNA from my blood to check the babies blood type as I am rhesus negative so obviously have the ability to perform such tests.

Original poster

Lilfabet · 24/12/2018 09:35

Thanks everyone.
Trying my very hardest not to have a massive row with my dp.
He does week on week off nights(14.5 hours) doesn’t want to miss a scan and doesn’t want to get results on a week he’s working...so that just isn’t going to happen. I’m trying to be zen about it but it’s very hard not to just lose it

OP posts:

KellyMarieTunstall2 · 24/12/2018 09:40

I had the harmony test age 44. A scan 1st to ensure it was a viable pregnancy, and results 2 weeks later. It was very reassuring, and allowed me to relax more.

TheSubtleKnifeAndFork · 24/12/2018 12:04

I think you need to ignore your DPs unhelpful demands and just book the NIPT for when is best for you. The world really isn't going to end if he isn't at a scan. It may not be ideal for him to miss it, but life isn't always convenient.

If (and obviously sincerely hope this isn't the case) you needed to TFMR then really that's a process you don't want to delay any longer than necessary - mainly for your mental wellbeing. You need to put yourself first IMO. If your DP doesn't realise this, it's his problem!

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