Harmony vs Panorama tests - Experience

[Nk21]

Hi everyone,

I am about 7 weeks and am considering having a NIPT test done. Having done some research, I'm a bit torn between Harmony and Panorama tests because they are pretty similar (albeit Harmony result seems to be quicker). Which one did you choose and where did you have yours done? I am in London so I'm considering between The Portland Hospital and The Birth Company at Harley Street. Prices are pretty similar so would really like to hear your experience with these 2 places if you have had your tests done there.

And if you have NIPT done privately at say week 10, will NHS still carry out your 12 weeks scan?

Many thanks in advance .

I had my nipt done at The Birth Compsny on Harley Street, but I opted for the SAFE nipt.

It was amazing.

The scan and appointment was so incredibly professional. The staff were lovely. The scan was more in depth and thorough than any nhs scan I’ve ever had before in all my pregnancies.

I had my results exactly 7 calendar (not working) days after the appointment. Results were 1:100,000 for all trisomies tested for.

I chose the SAFE as they require a smaller amount of fetal free dna from your blood sample. I think they need 2% whereas harmony etc require 4%. So you can have the test carried out earlier. For example I had a harmony test done that came back with no result, I then had the SAFE done 2 days later and it returned a result. It’s meant to be a better test for women with raised bmi etc.

I still had my 12 week nhs scan as normal, but I chose to opt out of the combined blood test screening they offer, as like my midwife pointed out, the nipt is far more accurate so they would always go with those results over the combined screening anyway.

Thanks Moominmis for sharing your experience.

I am planning to get the test done at around 11 weeks. Will that be too soon as I've heard it's quite common to not have enough fetal dna in the blood draw if the test is done early?

@Nk21 my harmony one was done at 11+6 and that’s the one I didn’t get a result from. As I said 2 days later I got a result back from the SAFE one.

So while it is at the earlier end of getting it done, I have seen plenty of women get it done early and get a result from it.

If you don’t want the worry of a possible inconclusive result I’d possibly be tempted to either check out the SAFE option or wait an extra week or so.

I had a panorama test, mostly because harmony labs in London were not operating for about a month and all were being shipped to America. Panorama is in America but that's the only place their labs operate so I was more comfortable with this. They test for more than harmony also for usually less price. The private clinic I discussed both tests with said that panorama is proving to be the more accurate of the two although I know both are pretty accurate. I got my results within 7 days including the weekend.

Xxx

Thanks @Moominmiss. I am looking into the SAFE test now as well

Thanks @jessicakxx . Wow 7 days were very quick. The places I have asked all said panorama will be something like 10-14 days.

They did say upto 10 days but it was back exactly on the 7th day, the practice did say that they're usually quicker than the 10 advised :-)

I train people on booking panorama and harmony tests, so I know quite a bit about them. I would strongly suggest the Portland as it is a fully equipped specialist maternity hospital. Private scanning clinics aren’t governed my the same regulations.

Thanks @JLL1990 for the info.