Would you get NIPT test in these circumstances?

[StayHoHoHome]

I was very, very anxious in my first pregnancy and had many private scans and private testing to ensure everything was fine - it never calmed me for long until I'd start worrying about the next thing. Overall I spent ££££ and was very stressed and have very negative memories of the pregnancy.

I'm pregnant again and I am determined to do things differently this time. I really want this pregnancy to be a positive experience. I was that bad I phoned up to book in with midwife and although my last pregnancy was 3 years ago, she remembered me and commented on me having an especially bad time and having bad anxiety and whether I was still suffering with that.

Anyway, part of me wants to just do this the normal way. But then I wonder if one early viability scan, and a NIPT test off the bat rather than letting anxiety build could be good? We aren't rich by any means, it's not easily afforded so I don't know.

I'm 30, so age wise no concerns. My partner is 41 though so I wonder if that justifies the extra testing?
One previous healthy baby. No miscarriages.
History of anxiety during pregnancy

Would you go NIPT or not in these circumstances?

No. NIPT is free on the NHS now if you’re at a higher risk.
Personally I would wait for 12 week scan as I don’t think that the extra scans are going to help your anxiety, may just fuel it. The EPAU is there if you have any early issues.
Maybe ask MW to refer you to perinatal MH now rather than later.

Thank you, you're probably right

Congratulations on your pregnancy! I agree with the poster above. You can get the NIPT done on the NHS at your 12 wk scan. It might have been different in your last pregnancy though as I did a quick google and looks like the full screening was only rolled out to all areas in England this year. Think of what you could buy to treat yourself or buy things for the baby with the money you would save!

I also have diagnosed anxiety and I decided to not do anything private like early scans etc. I knew that one wouldn't be enough and I would just keep wanting to go back which we can't afford! In the end I'm glad I waited until 12 weeks because you can see so much more of the baby at that point and I was so proud of myself for managing my anxiety and getting through to the second trimester much less anxious.

Agree as well re getting referred to perinatal mental health, they will hopefully be able to help you with management of your anxiety. Wishing you all the best for your pregnancy x

Thank you very much I will speak to my midwife at my booking in appointment about it. It seems such a long wait until that first scan!! I had 4 scans before my 12 week one last time

You said it didn't calm you last time, so why would it now?
If you have any issues, your midwife, hospital, etc is there.

Very true, it's scary how quick I'm falling back into it after vowing to not ruin this pregnancy. It was almost an addiction last time. I'd pay for a scan, feel reassured leaving and within literally hours of leaving it would creep back in thinking well they could of died since, I need to check again. And again. And again. It was like I was only reassured when I could see them on a screen and in between was hell. Dh was getting frustrated at me constantly convincing myself that the baby must of died in the 2 days since our last scan and the amount of money I was spending. I started going for the scans in secret and putting them all on credit cards. It was really quite bad

I had a NIPT done because it’s a lot more accurate than the NHS 12 week testing. I felt knowing this helped calm my anxiety surrounding it. Also the 12 week nhs testing is known for giving a high percentage of false high risk results that are then found out to be low probability once a NIPT is done. I just thought I’d save myself some stress and it was worth the money. Plus they do scan at 10 weeks and that was reassuring to see.

No, while I am not against it in your circs I would not get NIPT.

Go cold turkey on the extra scans

That’s seriously unhealthy.

I hope you have found some help or therapy so that your not as anxious with the small human now they are here?

Congratulations ❤️

No, I think you would be better off spending your money on mental health support - eg CBT, counselling, etc. although your Trust should have a perinatal mental health team who can help you for free.

I actually think NIPT is quite reassuring. Wait until you'll get it for free.

It will help them when scanning if there are any soft markers they find of issues, they can often say well but the NIPT said low risk so that is very unlikely to be a problem. It can certainly reassure.

But I can also see why with the levels of stress you're feeling it could make you feel worse too. NIPT results can indicate there's a risk of something when there is nothing wrong at all, which could be very stressful. Overall I'd still choose it because the accuracy of a negative result with it is very reassuring.

Pregnancy anxiety is a minefield, it's no fun at all and difficult to decide the best course of action. I think it might reassure you to get one, so long as you have support to act on any results of a NIPT once you get it (ie if a NIPT came back with any risk other than low, would you get CVS or an amniocentesis? If yes, then just make sure you know how and when you can get that beforehand, so it's not another source of stress or uncertainty.)