Harmony Test... Is it the same everywhere?

[Luckyelephant1]

Hi guys, just looking for some clarification. I'm definitely going to have a Harmony Test and had already booked into the Fetal Medicine Centre in London with a package that includes viability scan, nuchal scan (at another appointment closer to 12 weeks) and Harmony test. I will be 10+2 on the day of the viability scan and Harmony test.

However I had my booking appointment today and found out I can actually have the Harmony test privately with my trust at the same time as 12 week scan and nuchal test. It's a bit cheaper (although price is not a massive consideration here) and slightly more convenient. If I opt for this option I will still have an early private scan around 10 weeks just for my piece of mind.

My question is would the quality or detail of the Harmony scan differ at different places? From my understanding are the blood samples always sent to the exact same clinic in the US for analysis? Would there be any reason to opt for the Fetal Medicine Centre package rather than having it at my maternity unit? If I'm going to fork out for this test I want to make sure I'm getting the best possible service and as much detail as possible.

Sorry peace of mind not piece!

I've had several Harmony Tests and none have ever been sent to the US. Always a London clinic/Lab.

Mine was sent to local uk lab and results in a week rather than 2 weeks. So worth asking return timer etc too

I had the same tests as you have booked and also at The London Foetal Meadicine Centre. I remember the Harmony test being sent to California but that was going to change due to new facilities in the UK. The scan was much more detailed than I ever had at the hospital and the gel used on your belly was heated 😀. Apart from that, I’m not sure how different it would be. My first Harmony test was when it was relatively new. At my 20 weeks at my local hospital, I was swept away by the nurses who my lots of questions about it. Good luck. Xxx

It should be the same wherever you do it. Harmony is actually the name of the brand / company that does the test, rather than the name of the test itself. So if you do the harmony test, it’ll get sent to a lab owned by Harmony.

Fetal medicine centre Harley Street and kings hospital send the bloods to the US. There are clinics that process the bloods in the UK, the doctors laboratory is one place they are processed I believe.
I went to the FMC for my 12 week scan and found it far more reassuring/calm experience than the king's scan. They calculate the nuchal risk differently at FMC than the NHS, taking into account other markers. This gave me some reassurance while I waited for the harmony as my age bumps the score up. The scan experience itself was better as they talk through what they are seeing as they go. I'm sure some NHS sonographers do this, I just didn't have one!

Harmony @Fetal Medicine is sent to the US. I had mine done in Oct. to be honest, can’t fault them in any way. Their harmony packages are the best. Their nuchal scan is so much more details. Mine sonographer walked us through as she was checking, she even did a summary at the end for my partner to record for our parents. She checked for the nasal bone (nhs doesnt at 12 weeks scan). They took extra blood at the time of Harmony so by the time we came back for the 12 weeks scan we got all the results, whereas NHS, you would have to wait to get the adjusted risks.
The other main point for me is all proceeds go to the foundation so they can do more research on fetal medicine.

@MsHedgehog

It should be the same wherever you do it. Harmony is actually the name of the brand / company that does the test, rather than the name of the test itself. So if you do the harmony test, it’ll get sent to a lab owned by Harmony.

Yes that's exactly what I thought, it's a brand name for NIPT. And the labs are mainly in the US from my understanding.

Hmm so I'm still undecided. If Harmony is the same everywhere it makes sense to just do it at my local hospital at same time as 12 week scan and nuchal test. But quite a few of you are saying FMC go into things in a lot more detail including the nuchal test readings etc. I'm the type of person who wants to know each and every detail and get value for money, it's not cheap wherever you do it and I don't really want to feel rushed if it is at my local NHS hospital. Not trying to slate the NHS by any means and I know its still a private test but equally they are always under a lot of strain so in my head I feel like it'll just be an extra blood test for them to rush me through.

It's the same professor in charge at FMC and Kings - professor Nicolaides, who actually designed the test. I've always had my Harmony tests done at the FMC, and agree with a previous poster who said that the scans are much more detailed.

I think that Is it .. the actual blood test is the same . However the accompanying scan will likely be more in detail and I would ask each service how long results take to make a decision. Additionally factor in your thoughts on extra travel /contact etc. For us we went to Beard Mill in Oxford and results in a week, really detailed and only Dr Heath works there so minimal contact and able to drive there ( it a converted water mill)

Well it’s Stanton harcourt so in countryside not actual Oxford centre.

Thank you guys. The hospital I refer to isn't Kings, its my local general hospital. I think I'm leaning towards FMC however, have heard nothing but rave reviews about them.

If you would make a decision to terminate based on results then earlier is better than later. I had mine at 10.5 weeks (locally) as wanted to know as early as poss if there were issues.
I could’ve had it cheaper via NHS trust but results would’ve been nearer 14 weeks which was too late for me.

@Megan2018

If you would make a decision to terminate based on results then earlier is better than later. I had mine at 10.5 weeks (locally) as wanted to know as early as poss if there were issues. I could’ve had it cheaper via NHS trust but results would’ve been nearer 14 weeks which was too late for me.

Great point and that's another reason to go for FMC for me x

@Meomeomeo that's interesting about the nasal bone. How many weeks were you at that stage?

13 weeks when I did the nuchal scan at FMC.

Thanks all. I've opted to stay with the FMC for the Harmony test package. Exactly 2 weeks to go 🤞