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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Harmony test at 10 weeks

13 replies

ALifeMoreCurious · 02/10/2019 14:33

Hi, I’m 8 weeks pregnant and interested in having the harmony test in two weeks. I’ve had a late miscarriage resulting in the stillbirth of my son, two miscarriages (one of which we know was due to chromosomal abnormality) and two chemical pregnancies. I also have one very happy and healthy little girl who I can’t wait to share our news with assuming this pregnancy continues.

But I’m unsure about a few things. They say it’s a blood test but how can it determine so much with my blood? Is it in no way invasive? I can’t seem to find much detailed info about it. And do you have a scan to ensure all is well just ahead of having blood drawn? I’d hate to go through it all (not to mention pay for it) only to find we’d already lost the baby. So it makes sense to have a scan on the day. I’ve had a few scans already but it makes sense to have another for reassurance. Finally, are you told the gender as standard? I don’t think I want to know as the response could be triggering.

Would love to know if anyone’s done the test and can help. I tried searching but mostly found AIBU threads and none of them seemed to answer my questions!

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Kayjay2018 · 02/10/2019 14:46

@ALifeMoreCurious I'm sorry for your losses, I had a MC in April and that has made me really nervous this time round. I think you are wise wanting to do some research. I've just booked myself in for the harmony test and a bundle package with fetal medicine centre, that is a 10week scan, then blood test same appointment, back two weeks later for results and nuchal scan. They have info on their website if you want to read up. Also if it looks like there could be an issue they offer some additional test free of charge. Hopefully the website will answer some questions.

Summerloving17 · 02/10/2019 14:59

I had the Harmony test at the fetal medicine centre too, it is just a blood test and two scans so not invasive at all. You also can say no to finding out the gender. Like you with previous losses I wanted as much info as possible, obviously it’s not a guarantee but I would have it again in a heartbeat as much better accuracy than standard nhs xxx

Kayjay2018 · 02/10/2019 15:15

@Summerloving17 can I ask, did you just get the results on the day of your nuchal scan or did you know in advance the result of the harmony test? Those 2 weeks are going to drag waiting for the results

GummyGoddess · 02/10/2019 15:19

You don't have to find out the sex, I found it very reassuring and had the results before I was 11 weeks.

Liverbird77 · 02/10/2019 15:19

I had the serenity test, which is the same principle. Had a scan first and then the blood test.
It is totally non invasive and safe. The alternative would be an amniocentesis, which does pose risks.
My advice would be to go for it! Good luck x

Weathergirl1 · 02/10/2019 15:31

Check out the ARC website - it's got a lot of information on it about the various screening and diagnostic tests available. We chose to have Harmony so that if there was something wrong we would know ASAP - actually had it at 11 weeks as they wouldn't book before 10 weeks as per LMP dates, and had the results about a week before we went for the NHS dating scan.

Weathergirl1 · 02/10/2019 15:33

PS: yes they will scan to make sure the pregnancy is viable first, and sex chromosome determination is offered but you don't have to get the results of that.

tacosplease · 02/10/2019 15:55

Can I ask, did you just get the results on the day of your nuchal scan or did you know in advance the result of the harmony test? Those 2 weeks are going to drag waiting for the results

I've read varying things on Mumsnet about the FMC - some people say around 10 days and others say they were given the results in person when they went back for the 12-week scan.

I was hoping I'd get a call or email before the 12-week scan, as like you say, two weeks is so long to wait! I think I'd also rather receive the results over email in case it's bad news, so I have time to digest.

If you want to know the gender, do they tell you that in person at the 12-week scan as well?

Summerloving17 · 02/10/2019 16:09

So for me they didn’t call and I got them when I went back for the 12 week scan, however as I am impatient I booked the 12 week scan for bang on 12 weeks and had the 10 week at 10+4 so it was more like 10 days wait than a full two weeks. They told me it was unlikely I’d get the results before then anyway.
They have a piece of paper with the results printed on and this paper also has the gender on if you requested it. They talk through the results then do the 12 week scan and give you their overall combined result based on both results. It was so thorough and the detail they go in on the scans is very reassuring, much more detail than on my nhs scan. Good luck xx

DappledThings · 02/10/2019 16:10

I had the Harmony test on the NHS both pregnancies. It picks up the fetal DNA that is in your blood which is how it's able to be so accurate.

I was told 2 weeks both times but had results in less than a week both times.

The NHS contract with the Harmony doesn't include finding out the sex.

tacosplease · 02/10/2019 16:14

Thanks @Summerloving17 - that's really helpful! I'd assumed for some reason that I'd get the results by email/phone call beforehand though, so I'm gutted that you have to wait until the 12-week scan. It's going to be a long two weeks!

Embracelife · 02/10/2019 16:17

If youknow the chromosome issue last time you need to ask if the harmony covers that particular issue and ask if it will look at all chromosome abnormalities not just the more common ones.

Original poster

ALifeMoreCurious · 03/10/2019 16:14

Thank you so much for all your comments and feedback.

In Scotland you have to pay for the test privately and it seems you fill in a form where you can check a box to confirm whether you want to know the sex. I was worried we’d receive a letter and it would just form part of the results. My partner has confused things by saying he wants to know! But we have time to decide. All I care about is having a healthy baby but I do think I’ll find it hard if it’s a boy as we’ve lost two and my brain might just wander. You know how it is...

Sadly trisomy 15 doesn’t form part of the testing but it’s a very rare trisomy and even more rare to lose a baby to it twice. I think there are just a few recorded cases of that. My main concern is that our other losses could have also been due to trisomies so it’s a ruling out exercise really. Something to give us reassurance. And if it wasn’t good news at least we know sooner rather than later.

I still can’t believe that they can pick up on fetal DNA in my blood. Despite all we’ve been through the things I’ve discovered just amaze me. Our bodies are beautiful things.

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