Peritnatal exams

Babybeachbum

Has anyone ever gone for or heard of the Harmony Perinatal exam? It's supposed to be a non-invasive blood tests to check the baby's DNA for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. My dr scheduled this test for me next week but I've never heard of it before...

MamaWino

I have a friend who's pregnant who just had it done and it was the first time I'd heard of it.  She only had it done because a routine u/s noted possible spina bifida.  When I asked my doctor about it, they said they only do it if something is found during the NT scan that they want to investigate further.

Babybeachbum

I asked the dr if I needed a CVS test bc I saw it on this sites to do list and wanted to make sure I had it done. Should I be worried that she is sending me to the hospital for the Harmony exam instead??

Mrs.N.H.

The test is pretty new...probably why you have never heard of it before. IMO is better than the more invasive alternatives, plus you can choose to find out the sex based on analysis of the chromosomes.

beautifuldreamer1234

I had blood drawn for the Panorama test, a similar test. My NT was fine, but I'm 35 so my ins covers it.

Babybeachbum

What is IMO?

Miliska

Springmom2014 said:

Has anyone ever gone for or heard of the Harmony Perinatal exam? It's supposed to be a non-invasive blood tests to check the baby's DNA for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. My dr scheduled this test for me next week but I've never heard of it before...

Since 2011 this test is offered for free to all pregnant women in Québec. It's two blood tests, and the first blood test is usually done at the same time the nuchal translucency test is done. I'm doing it in one week.

VineyardMel

I had it done a couple of weeks ago. It's the same thing as MaterniT21.

JKGymnast

I had it done at 11w6d. I'm 35 so that was my reason for doing it. It shows all sorts of things including Trisomy13/18 and I think the other was 21? It dies NOT check for Spina Bifida, however. That is checked at the anatomy scan.

It does check for the gender as well, but I'm having twins so it is likely ill only know the sex of one, but maybe both? If you are not AMA, check to make sure your insurance covers it.

JKGymnast

Springmom2014 said:

What is IMO?

In my opinion

VineyardMel

Springmom2014 said:

I asked the dr if I needed a CVS test bc I saw it on this sites to do list and wanted to make sure I had it done. Should I be worried that she is sending me to the hospital for the Harmony exam instead??

I missed this question earlier. The cell free DNA tests like Harmony are extremely accurate (98-99%) with no risk to you or the baby. CVS and amino are 100% accurate, but they are invasive so there is some risk of miscarriage. I think a lot of doctors and patients are now opting for the blood tests, and the invasive tests can always be done to confirm results if needed. Like PP said these tests can also tell you the sex. We're Team Green so we ordered ours to specifically not include the sex.