Have many of you had screening tests for Downs etc during your pregnancies? What are your experiences? I decided not to with my two children but now pregnant with twins I am so conflicted. I don't know what to do for the best, I am so scared of the risk of miscarriage of one or both babies but feel like when I already have 2 children, I need to know.
Screening tests
- Thread starter Naranja
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Yeah I've been looking into NIPT but I can't find a lot about them. I can't work out if they are available in the UK at all. I'd pay if I have to. I havent had the initial screening yet which is the non-risky part. I'm just worried about what I'd do if it came back high risk.
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Yes the NIPT tests the baby not only for Down syndrome but also Patau and Edwards. And if you want to know the gender, you can find out a lot sooner!
I think it was also called the harmony test. I remember it was very expensive with my DD, about 400 euros but we wanted to be sure everything was okay and coughed up the money. 2 months later, the belgian health care system decided to drop the price to 8 euros. We were so annoyed!! But you can only have it done between 11 and 14 weeks I think. Not sure anymore. X
MelC2011
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In the UK the Harmony test can be done anytime after 10 weeks and costs £450 in the South.
We’re getting booked in after being classed high risk with my little one 4 years ago. Got sent to London as the test was quite new then and got the all clear.
Im now 40 so am worried that being much older my risk level has increased. Yes it’s a lot of money but I personally think it’s worth it.
Good luck xx
We’re getting booked in after being classed high risk with my little one 4 years ago. Got sent to London as the test was quite new then and got the all clear.
Im now 40 so am worried that being much older my risk level has increased. Yes it’s a lot of money but I personally think it’s worth it.
Good luck xx
Yes, I'm fast approaching 40 too. I'll be 40 by the time the twins arrive. I'm going to do the hospital blood/scan screening and see what the outcome is. If high, I'll try and book a Harmony test. Anything to avoid the amnio unless really necessary. Previously I've always thought it didn't matter but with two other kids and two more arriving that may or may not have problems, I think I at least need to know.
Update on this - I went with the first combined screening and asked about NIPT. The hospital said they would recommend it if high risk and that they could do it although not free of charge. The private clinic nearby was actually cheaper. So that was the route I had planned but then the combined test results came back as "extremely low risk" so that made things easier as we've left it at that. It was good to hear about NIPT tests though and know they are a safe option if worried.
MelC2011
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its free on nhs dont pay
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it’s not free on the nhs, It’s only offered by some trusts if your combined screening comes back high risk....(Liverpool, London and one or two more), the nhs actually charge more for this then private clinics, and I think some nhs trusts still only offer the amniocentesis if your initial screening comes back high risk
MelC2011
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It’s certainly not free in my area.
I was offered it first time around but only as I was given high risk after screening tests at my 12 week scan.
For me it’s a personal choice due to age, previously going through the stress and also by the time I’d get my 12 week scan results I’d certainly be showing. Personally I don’t want to announce my pregnancy without knowing for certain - this is why I’m going private xx
I was offered it first time around but only as I was given high risk after screening tests at my 12 week scan.
For me it’s a personal choice due to age, previously going through the stress and also by the time I’d get my 12 week scan results I’d certainly be showing. Personally I don’t want to announce my pregnancy without knowing for certain - this is why I’m going private xx
It's not free in the North East neither. Apparently they launched it for a short period a while back but there was a dispute over which lab to use and it went to court and was put on hold. The government proposal is to make it free and part of the normal screening process I understand but its not running yet.
MelC2011 - I can understand the nerves, I've was on edge waiting. I knew the NT measurements were low as they told us that on the day but I was scared my bloods would be bad due to my age (39). Turned out the overall results (for Downs, at least) were comparable to a woman of 20-25 in both babies... Hopefully that may put some other older women at ease as I did just presume my bloods would give a bad result due to age.
MelC2011 - I can understand the nerves, I've was on edge waiting. I knew the NT measurements were low as they told us that on the day but I was scared my bloods would be bad due to my age (39). Turned out the overall results (for Downs, at least) were comparable to a woman of 20-25 in both babies... Hopefully that may put some other older women at ease as I did just presume my bloods would give a bad result due to age.
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oh sorry its because im high risk its why nhs have offered it to me.
