NIPT?

mamatowildones

I don't remember being told about this with my previous two babes. So this new doc seems pretty stoked on it and I have my 10 week appt Thursday and I'm still undecided. It isn't covered but apparently (according to the OB) $99-$200. Also, in reading I saw that false positives can mean cancer in the mother. I am a huge huge hypochondriac. I always have to be worrying about something and it's always health related. So I'm a little concerned about doing it, getting a false positive and then breaking down with worry. 
Doesn't this test just show the same things that the NT scan and blood work show? Maybe I'm just confused. 

vrj0522

It is more thorough and it can provide the sex of the baby. It is supposed to be 99% accurate but if you get a positive, there's always additional testing that can be done.

Honestly I had never heard of the cancer thing so I can't speak to it but my first reaction is not to buy it. I have a friend who received wrong sex results and she's a healthy person so making preemptive cancer claims about someone who is healthy doesn't make me trust the accuracy of that assumption. This is something you might want to discuss with your doctor. 

I had the testing done with my daughter and will have it done again this time. However, it is not a required test and if you feel like the results would worry you more than bring you peace of mind, then I say skip it.

pshaortao

I've never heard of cancer or false positive with NIPT so maybe it would be a good idea to do more research on whichever test you're considering. If anything even came up as positive, its suggested to do further testing especially before you make a decision (no judgment to anyone who would even consider terminating, as long they're thorough). I didn't have this done with DD but plan to ask about it at my appointment tomorrow to see if they offer it and how much.

JonesBaby0624

I agree with PP I have never heard of the cancer claim but it seems like quite a leap to me.  I also don't know if you could really call the results a false positive, as it is a screening test and not a diagnostic test.  How can you have a false positive with something that just screens for possibilities?  If you get a red flag, which what my doctor has always called them, then it just means you need additional testing. I would talk with your doc about your concerns.  He will have more information and definitely more scientific evidences to back up his desire to run to test.   I have had it done with my last 2 pregnancies and I will have it done again in a couple weeks.  Good luck!!

march2008

I'm going to ask about it next week at my first appointment with my regular OBGYN. I've been seeing my RE since the beginning of my pregnancy so haven't gotten to ask yet about all of the screening tests. I'm nearly 35 though (in 10 days) and feel like any reassurance that additional screening could provide would be welcomed at this point.

emilyalso

My office uses the Harmony test, and it was presented as totally optional with my last pregnancy (early 2015) but almost as a routine pregnancy visit this time around. (I am sure it can be declined, but it was interesting to hear a big shift in the language in such a short time.) It can also be used to determine gender earlier than an ultrasound could reveal it. 

As I understood it, the results would tell you if you had a low or high probability for the issues and the NT scan would be used to sort of verify those results. I had both with the last pregnancy and never received 'results' per se from the NT scan - they just told me that it confirmed the results from the Harmony test. 

mamatowildones

Thanks ladies. I see doc tomorrow and will ask a few more questions. She just seemed like it was something she expects me to do so it threw me off. 

starphish18

So I know this post was from last week, but I was wondering if anyone has done carrier screening? My hospital offers two tests - Panorama (prenatal screen) and Horizon (carrier screen). Horizon tests if you're a carrier for hundreds of genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. It's kind of scary to think about. If we found out both myself and my husband were carriers for something pretty bad, would be think twice about having another child of our own? Anyone have experience with this?

Kipperoo

I can't speak to the Horizon test, but wanted to add my experience this week re: the Panorama test in case anyone is thinking about doing it. I am 33 and the test is only recommended for people over 35 at my clinic. The suggested that I call Panorama and ask them about costs if insurance chooses not to cover it (which they likely will not because I am not 35+)--the people at Panorama told me that the maximum they will charge a patient if insurance doesn't cover it is $200. I'd suggest if any of you are looking to do the test but your insurance doesn't cover it, give them a call! 

MTB16

starphish18 said:

So I know this post was from last week, but I was wondering if anyone has done carrier screening? My hospital offers two tests - Panorama (prenatal screen) and Horizon (carrier screen). Horizon tests if you're a carrier for hundreds of genetic conditions, such as cystic fibrosis. It's kind of scary to think about. If we found out both myself and my husband were carriers for something pretty bad, would be think twice about having another child of our own? Anyone have experience with this?

My OB's office also offers the Panorama test and the genetic carrier screen testing.  I plan on getting both of these (covered and recommended since I'll be 35 shortly).  Even if you are a carrier, your H would also have to be a carrier, then you have a 25% chance of a baby having that genetic condition, I can't say that would be enough for me not to consider having more children, but everyone is different!

tenfour

This is old but in case you're still wondering my husband and I had the natera carrier screening. I don't regret doing it by somehow with my insurance coverage it cost me $1k and husband $600. Just triple check with your insurance before doing it. They told me if your insurance does NOT cover it it's somehow way cheaper.

And I will definitely do the Panorama - I am old and want all the tests

MamaMiller

I was able to schedule appointments for the screening/ testing in the next few weeks. I have not done the testing with my first two so a bit nervous of the process. I understand that NT scan is an ultrasound. I also am having bloodwork done. Is this part of NT or is possibly the Harmony/ Panoroma Screening? I looked through the paperwork and it wasn't clear. I was a bit rushed out of the appointment because DH was get antsy and didn't ask. 

RainyDays86

The Harmony/Pandora screening is bloodwork, which may be what you are having done.  The quad screen is also a blood test, although it is given at 16 weeks I believe, and only if you don't do the Pandora or Harmony test.

MamaMiller

@RainyDays86 thank you- it must be the Harmony or Pandora (completely got that wrong with my first post)- they stressed it had to be done at the 10 week marker. I was just confused because they said the two test go together but hadn't heard the NT ultrasound involving blood work too. 

RainyDays86

The Harmony/Pandora gives you a pretty good idea of your risk of the baby having Downs Syndrome (and quite a few other chromosomal disorders).  My understanding is the NT scan looks at other indications that could mean DS, and together they determine your risk.  I am not 100% sure because I have never had an NT scan though.

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

I believe the NT does require a blood spot test.

RainyDays86

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot said:

I believe the NT does require a blood spot test.

Oh crap then ignore everything I said.

MrsFreeman2010

The NT does use blood work also. The ultrasound results coupled with the blood test I what gives you your overall risk/results.  My guess is that is what they are doing, not the harmony tests

MamaMiller

No worries- thank you @NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot and @MrsFreeman2010 for clearing that up. Since this was my first appointment with ultrasound I wanted DH to be there...he is so damn impatient I remembered why I don't have him go to any others- he rushed me out! 

SKZW

@MamaMiller Aren't antsy hubbs the worst?!    Hang in there and the next appt will be more serene. Maybe try to write down a list of questions you have and bring it to your next meet with the doc. I find that it's helpful to my sanity if I keep a list on my phone, and add to it as the days go by, because it might seem important to me today but I'll forget in a week from now, but would still like the answer  

tenfour

Harmony /Panorama are totally separate from NT. NT is an u/s and they use the results from that plus the first tri blood screening to give your odds of a few chromosome abnormalities. I'm doing all the tests, just to cover my bases. Plus with the panorama you get to find out the sex earlier.

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot

tenfour said:

Harmony /Panorama are totally separate from NT. NT is an u/s and they use the results from that plus the first tri blood screening to give your odds of a few chromosome abnormalities. I'm doing all the tests, just to cover my bases. Plus with the panorama you get to find out the sex earlier.

When I did the NT w/ DD, it was a separate blood spot test, not the results of the first tri.  Perhaps it depends on your doctor?

Kipperoo

MamaMiller , when I did the Panorama test, I had to sign a form and answer some questions (like if I wanted to know the sex of the baby), so if they didn't ask those, I'm guessing it's just the blood work that goes with your scan. :-) Good luck!!

SKZW

NotAPlaya-JustCrushAlot said:

tenfour said:

Harmony /Panorama are totally separate from NT. NT is an u/s and they use the results from that plus the first tri blood screening to give your odds of a few chromosome abnormalities. I'm doing all the tests, just to cover my bases. Plus with the panorama you get to find out the sex earlier.

When I did the NT w/ DD, it was a separate blood spot test, not the results of the first tri.  Perhaps it depends on your doctor?

I think you're correct. It's my understanding that the first tri bloodwork is for general/basic/baseline things (including hCG, Rh, HIV, STDs, etc.) and the NT (nuchal translucency) test is a separate blood draw for which the results are coupled with the u/s ultrasound to do the screening.

MrsOry5

When I got my NT last week, they took a small amount of blood and U/S

tenfour

Oh woops! I could be very wrong. 

mamatowildones

I'm just now coming back to this post. I've had it all done for a week now. There was my first tri initial bloodwork that checks everything out. Then I had the NIPT testing for chromosomal abnormalities. Then in addition to that, at 12 weeks I had the NT Scan with an additional set of bloodwork to go with it. The way I was informed is that the scan with the NIPT and NT blood will give the most info. Honestly it seems like a bit much. But this doc really didn't give me an option like my previous docs have. 

vrj0522

I had both the NT and NIPT done. I had the NIPT first and when I went in for the NT the doctor said that since they had already gotten chromosomal results that they were doing the NT just to check that there were no signs of major congenital heart problems. 

Wildflowers and Ferns

I'm in about the same situation. I decided to have the NT scan, which is covered by my insurance, and then if there are any concerns based on that, get the NIPT to confirm/get more info. I almost refused testing altogether since I plan to keep the baby either way, but the doctor gently convinced me that it's useful to know in advance if problems are expected, because then I can deliver at a hospital with a higher level NICU or have relevant specialists on hand.