Harmony Test/Early Gender Detection Experiences

ShyTonia

So I'm super stoked that my perinatal dr offers the Harmony Test because my obgyn does not! We are just so very excited to find out what we are having! I have a few friends that did do this but ended up having the opposite sex! Oh boy, or girl. Lol. Would love to hear everyone's experiences with this test! 

jlemons-2

I don't know if I will do it or not, but your friends must be lying because in a blood draw, the sex is 100%. It's genetics. 

ETA: Actually there is a margin for error but it's tiny, I can't imagine it happening to too many people. 

splsmama2016

If you're doing it JUST to find out the sex, make sure it's 100% covered by insurance. Personally I'm not wasting the money. I'll find out at the A/S. 

ShyTonia

@sdLindenberg ok thanks for the heads up , I will check but Im pretty sure it does from what my Dr said when he asked what insurance we have. Finding out the gender earlier is for sure an added bonus. 

Marley629

If we qualify for the test, we are going to do it but finding out the sex early from it is just the added bonus for us. I actually have heard of someone having it come back differently at the A/S but I do think it's a very small margin of error. 

ShyTonia

@Marley629 Yes totally feel the same way! It's definitely a small margin but possible. And same situation, my friends found it out at the A/S also. They just so happened to be in that small percentage.  Hehe

b48kate

I had the testing done with my son and it was very accurate as to sex! Will be doing it again this time (next week actually)! The only strange result I have ever heard was a woman in my last BMB. Her tests came back unreadable at the lab. Her doctors did a full work up and found out she had leukemia! Baby and mom are both okay today, but she credited that test with saving her life.

acgonzalez22

@b48kate My sister had early testing and that is how she found out she had a blood disorder.

@ShyTonia I get MAT21 because I'm high risk and AMA. The DNA is just an added bonus but was correct for my son. I believe the margin of error happens if you do the draw before the 11th week but I'm not too sure. Make sure your insurance covers it without an accurate diagnosis like others stated, it is not covered if you just want to know the sex early. Basically even if it's a covered benefit, your insurance can deny it for improper coding and unnecessary use. I worked in the fertility center for Aetna and we denied people all the time.

ShyTonia

Thank you the info @acgonzalez22

blairbecky78

I did the Harmony and it correctly predicted boy. I am of "advanced maternal age" so it is recommended for me.

leighalou91

I did mat22 and it was correct about my first born's sex.

moonlady-2

I've heard that it may be possible to find out the sex at the NT scan. Anyone have experience with this?

kmornelas29

Lurking from October board. @moonlady-2 the drs were able to tell at my NT scan that baby was a boy. With my DD they didn't say, probably because nothing was there. The techs, depending on who you have, are cautious of telling you. 

In regards to the harmony test, I did it at 10 weeks. The results came back and the nurse said girl, but it's actually a boy. She read the wrong paper work. I also know people who have had a wrong result. I think for the most part your safe to believe the result. 

eazybreezy225

Copied and pasted from my past reply to a previous question regarding this same topic:

With DD2, we tried to get the Harmony test done. My SIL was also pregnant at the time with fraternal twins, and through testing learned one of had Down Syndrome, so that was my main cause to seek getting the test done.
I'm sure you might be able to find a place that will test you, however, many places require to you go through a pre-screen to see if you qualify to take the test if you are not over 35 or your doctor doesn't specifically recommend it. This is especially if you want your insurance to cover it. When I had done my research on it, most people paid around $200 out of pocket after insurance, however those who paid to have the test done without insurance coverage paid anywhere from $700-$1000+
I had to meet with a genetics counselor and we literally went over my family tree beginning with myself and going out to my grandparents, and then the same for my husband. We discussed which family members had disabilities and what specific disabilities they had.
By the end of our meeting, which was seriously 2 hours long because my family is ridiculously huge, the genetics counselor determined I did not qualify to have the Harmony test done. So I never was tested.
If I were you, I'd first try to get it done through your doctor to have your insurance pay. Or at least look into your insurance to see if it covers it.

Ok, with all that being said, my UO on this subject is that this test is NOT for the purpose of finding the sex of your baby. This is a serious test that informs doctors and parents of very serious problems that can be potentially life threatening to the baby, allowing for early interventions. It is a pet peeve of mine when mamas are only focused on finding out baby's sex. It is the same thing with the 20 week anatomy scan. It is understandable that you are super excited, and want to find out the sex ASAP because, 40+ weeks is a long time to wait for your little to grow and develop and finally get to meet in person. But the Harmony test (or similar tests) and the 20 week anatomy scan are for MEDICAL purposes to see the development of your baby.

EmilyLove25

Just lurking from J18 and wanted to say that with DD we did not find out at the NT scan BUT I had an elective US done at 13 weeks and found out-so worth it and only ~1-2 weeks after you'd get Harmony results (I think). Also most cost ~$50-100 and you get to see the LO. Just a thought!

disneyfan0511

@moonlady-2 our tech with DD2 predicted girl at the NT scan (12 weeks on the dot) She said - I'm fairly sure it's a girl but it's still early. Don't go buy anything pink just yet. And 5 weeks later we had another scan and DD2 was for sure a girl. With DD1 they wouldn't even guess.

KathrynJ088

@eazybreezy225 for your SIL, did she have a family history of disability? My OB didn't recommend it for my twinnies bc she said they wouldn't be able to tell if it was one, both, or which one that had any problems, and that the ultrasounds with MFM would identify any down syndrome traits at 12 weeks 

Totally just curious about twin experiences, there's not as much info out there! 

eazybreezy225

KathrynJ088 said:

@eazybreezy225 for your SIL, did she have a family history of disability? My OB didn't recommend it for my twinnies bc she said they wouldn't be able to tell if it was one, both, or which one that had any problems, and that the ultrasounds with MFM would identify any down syndrome traits at 12 weeks 

Totally just curious about twin experiences, there's not as much info out there! 

My SIL at the time was 43 when she got pregnant with her last kids (the twins). So, it was more than likely her age, as she does not have a family history of disability. The down syndrome was discovered during the 12 week NT scan. They were able to see from the scan that Baby A (the little boy) had down syndrome and Baby B (the little girl) did not. 

KathrynJ088

@eazybreezy225

Thanks for the info!! 

ShyTonia

Thanks everyone for the awesome info! I will be just past 12 weeks when we have the test. ****TW with our past losses getting this far has been a miracle for us! TW***
So for us, we are VERY much looking forward to finding out the sex of our miracle baby! 
We. Can't. Wait!! I don't think I can hold DH off any longer with his decor ideas for the nursery 

thatlauragirl

@eazybreezy225 Thank you for saying that. These posts are hard for me to read.

TW - May 4th, 2016 I learned the results of my NIPT. I was having a boy. And he had a fatal chromosomal abnormality. It's something that is insanely hard to talk about, but it's been the worst thing I've ever been through. This test is so much more than finding out the sex, it's a life & death matter for some of us. And as I approach 10 weeks and going through testing with this little one, the sex isn't even a consideration. All I want to know is that this little one is healthy. That all of our little ones are healthy.

ngarciabyu

We will be getting the verify test done since it is what out RE recommends and offers, and because we have a history of positive test results. We aren't doing it for the gender, and frankly I'm not 100% sure we will have them disclose the gender then. However, I hear the test result can only be wrong with girl results. If they detect a Y chromosome in your blood draw there has to be a boy cooking. So from what I was told the error comes when they say it's a girl, simply because somehow the Y chromosome wasn't detected. Don't quote me on that though lol

Marley629

@thatlauragirl I'm so sorry for your loss and what you have been through.  I pray that we all get healthy results back as well. Hugs

ShyTonia

@thatlauragirl I am so sorry for what you have been through and your loss. I too pray we all have healthy little ones. 

babytime24

So at my appointment yesterday, they were going over everything with me, including asking about what testing we wanted done.  They were throwing a lot at me, but I basically said yes to everything.  We're blessed with great insurance, and I'd rather know what's going on than not know.  Now, I'm 29 years old and not at-risk.  They said as of I think January, the Harmony test (I think the nurse called it something different) was opened to anyone who wanted it.  And I'm pretty sure she said we would find out the sex from it....in the near future I believe?  I'm certainly doing it for the medical purpose, but am a little confused.  She kind of just glossed over it, but am I really going to be able to know what I'm having in a few weeks?  Has anyone else in my situation been offered this?

Tennis11785

Question for people who are getting/have gotten this test.  How far along were you when you had the blood draw?  When I initially called, my doctor's office scheduled it for week 13.  When I questioned how late it was, they said they figured I wanted to do it with the NT exam.  I told them I wanted it sooner if possible, so they scheduled it for week 11.  I still feel like that's late.  So I was just curious when others are having it done.  

bbylifelove

@Tennis11785 I had the Harmony test done this past Monday at 10 weeks 3 days. My dr said they can do it as early as 10 weeks. Not sure what the cutoff is. Haven't gotten results back yet - can take up to 10 business days. 

bbylifelove

@babytime24 Yes they can test gender if you request it. Me and DH didn't - just personal preference. 

bbylifelove

@thatlauragirl I'm so sorry you went through that. This is my first pregnancy, but getting tests done to know what's most important as well - health of baby. I could care less what gender is, just want to know baby is healthy. 

cmillar36

Genetics told us best time is 11.5-12 weeks.

acgonzalez22

@Tennis11785 I just had mine at 11 weeks. Genetics told me Harmony is done as early as 10 weeks.

Marley629

@Tennis11785  in my papers I received from the doctor, it says you can have it as early as 10 weeks. 

ngarciabyu

@Tennis11785 my RE scheduled mine for 10w2d. So I'm assuming that's not too early

thatlauragirl

@Tennis11785 Anytime after 10wks you can have it done. I had it at 10w1d with my son last year and I'm doing 10w1d again this time.

peachy13

My OB brought this test up to us yesterday and was kind of like, well you don't need it, and you may have to pay out of pocket.. so I mean, it's totally up to you guys. DH and I kind of shrugged and were like yeah we're probably good. Then we slept on it and today now we're both very interested in doing the test. 

Just called OB's office and they said I could have my labs drawn at 10.5 weeks, but the chance of redraw is much lower after week 11. There's a chance we will end up setting this up. My only hesitation was the cost, which is around $500 for me since I'm low-risk and I have a high deductible with my value insurance (need to switch to premium plan as soon as this baby is here!). I can't justify spending that much just to find out the gender early when we'll find out in 8 weeks for free. Would rather that money go towards the nursery or something. We'll see. Reading these comments is making me want to just do it.

Tennis11785

@peachy13 - I wouldn't pay the high OOP cost just to find out the sex.  If there were other concerns, then I think it's valid.  But a high price just to know what you're having?  Naaaa.  You're right - that money can go somewhere else (in my opinion).  

peachy13

@Tennis11785 I think you're right, needed to hear that. Thanks!

txmomma16

@peachy13 If your only desire for the test is the gender, then I would say $500 might not be worth it. For myself, I am getting the NT Scan during week 12, to test for any abnormalities. I don't even know yet if I am going to ask them the gender or tell them to keep it a secret from me. I'm more interested in the potential for chromosomal abnormalities.

Amber_Waves

A friend of mine works in hospital billing.  The hospital has a policy that if you have something done that your insurance just flat-out doesn't cover, you can get a 40% discount just by asking for it.  I have no idea how common this type of policy is, but this tiny piece of information saved my family over $1000 last year.  Your milage may vary.

AMCsquared

Ladies I'm so confused and I just can't get the testing cleared up in my brain no matter what I read. Helppp lol.
My gyno wrote down that at 10 weeks I am doing an at home finger prick blood test called non invasive prenatal first trimester instant risk assessment. She wrote that it tests for DS, T18, T13. Then I have the corresponding US at 12 weeks.

She wrote if those tests bring back questionable results, then the next step is the NIPT test which includes the gender. Is that the harmony test?
I'm confused bc I'm seeing that the harmony test includes DS and t13/18 and gender. So NIPT is a totally different test? Or not

ShyTonia

@AMCsquared Ok so from my understanding, the Harmony test is just one of many different Non Invasive Prenatal Testing (NIPT) that are available out there. And they all range in different prices. I'm  alittle confused for you also lol. Because of what your dr called the finger print test. It is basically the same initials as the NIPTs.

We requested the Harmony test with our 12 week NT scan. So we will be doing all that on the 23rd.