Not an intro, just a quick question on first tri testing:-)

J&D2007 · December 2014

I'm too scared to intro, but I wanted to ask a question about testing options for first tri. I have to call my OB and get an appointment but I want to see if they are familiar with the tests I may want. When is the NT scan? Then I've heard about the Mat21, the Harmony, the Verifi (sp?). I don't know what I want or when each can be performed. Any advice would be great. Tia!

luvboston · December 2014

Nt scan is at 12 weeks
All those tests can be performed starting at 10-12 weeks depending on test.
Panorama is the only test they can do at 9 weeks.

You have to check with your insurance to see which they cover.

J&D2007 · December 2014

luvboston said:

Nt scan is at 12 weeks All those tests can be performed starting at 10-12 weeks depending on test. Panorama is the only test they can do at 9 weeks. You have to check with your insurance to see which they cover.

So, the panorama, verifi, harmony, and mat21 all measure the same thing? Just different companies?

turquoisequeen · December 2014

I believe they are all very similar. I didn't qualify for any of those mat21 type tests due to not being AMA but I could get something called sequential screen which is another similar test to those just with broader ranges so that may be another one you hear about. That was also done in the same timeframe. Good luck!

AmCheri · December 2014

I can only speak to MaternT21, which is what we opted for. This is our second baby. The first was a DE pregnancy, so we felt comfortable in declining all genetic screening. This time was a surprise. I Have DOR and was told that our chances of various genetic abnormalities was exceedingly high; also I'm 38 and AMA. We did the screening at 11 weeks, though I belive it could have been done two weeks earlier. It's not diagnostic. But the results coupled with your NT scan and presence-absence of a nasal bone (and other soft markers) can be helpful in indicating whether further testing is warranted. We decided not to do any further screening after the MaterniT21 test. Our results were back in less than a week.

luvboston · December 2014

J&D2007 said:

luvboston said:

Nt scan is at 12 weeks
All those tests can be performed starting at 10-12 weeks depending on test.
Panorama is the only test they can do at 9 weeks.

You have to check with your insurance to see which they cover.

So, the panorama, verifi, harmony, and mat21 all measure the same thing? Just different companies?

Yes they are all basically the same

gsancho · December 2014

We did mat21, since that is what our insurance covered. Some insurances don't cover any...sometimes which test you do may vary by OB preference...but like PP said, they can all usually be done after 10 weeks. My OB didn't do an NT scan since she didn't think it was necessary after the mat21 results.

Ecarabeo217 · December 2014

Hope this question means you'll be here soon! I remember you from IFV

So.....NT scan is done in conjunction with *either* integrated screening or what's referred to as NIPT which includes verify, Mat21, harmony, etc. the NT measures a fold of skin on the back of baby's neck that, if thickened, can indicate chromosomal abnormalities. This measurement is included in the calculations for the integrated screen and can be looked at independently. This is done btwn 10w and 13w4d. Ideally around 12. It can also indicate congenital heart defects if abnormal.
Integrated screening is what is offered to most women, standard for women that are under 35 with no history of previous genetically abnormal pregnancies. (Or, low-risk) This involves blood work taken at two different times. First usually run with the NT scan, so btwn 10-14 weeks and the second blood draw around 15-16 weeks. The results are reported after the second blood draw and the report gives a risk assessment for Neural tube defects, Down Syndrome and T18. The report will read along the lines of "risk for DS 1 in 10,000" or whatever it calculates out to be. It measures different hormone levels produced at different times in the pregnancy which are known to be abnormally high or low in chromosomally abnormal fetuses. This same test can be done as a sequential screen where you get results after each blood draw (instead of the combined result at the end) but most providers shy away from it because it tends to give more false positive results that are then proven wrong after the second blood draw.
NIPT is a relatively new technology (the last couple of years) where free-floating fetal DNA has been identified in mom's blood supply. This testing basically looks at the percentages of fetal DNA in the sample and can determine if there are even amounts of each chromosome (normal) or "extra" amounts, indicating likely trisomies. It looks at chromosomes 13, 18, 21 and the sex chromosomes. It was only studied (so only indicated for use in) women over 35 or with a history that makes the pregnancy high-risk for carrying a genetically abnormal fetus. Which particular test is used is usually based on what your insurance provider indicates, but there are certain specifics that have to go to a particular lab. For example, my vanishing twin situation had to go to panorama or harmony. Mat21 and verify wouldn't do it. These are usually done after 10 weeks.
Hope that helps and hope to see you around here soon!

J&D2007 · December 2014

@Ecarabeo217‌, thank you very much for the explanation. I'm sure I qualify for NIPT testing and will probably get it even if insurance doesn't cover it. Thanks again!

Ecarabeo217 · December 2014

@j&d2007 insurance should cover if you qualify for the testing. I've never had an issue with that. If you get a bill for anything outside of a deductible, if call and inquire. Sometimes it's a coding error that's easily fixed. Good luck!!

Not an intro, just a quick question on first tri testing:-)

Re: Not an intro, just a quick question on first tri testing:-)

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

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Not an intro, just a quick question on first tri testing:-)

Re: Not an intro, just a quick question on first tri testing:-)

Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motilityIUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFNIVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!

Choose Another Board

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Me 33, DH 37 -- TTC since Jan'12 -- Low AMH (0.78) & endo, SA w/ low motility
IUI's 1-3 = BFN, IVF converted to IUI 4/13 = BFN
IVF 1.2: 8R 6M 4F -- 2 blastocysts frozen, FET 8/15 = BFP!!
Beta #s = 445;1,098; 9,545 -- EDD 5/2 -- Team Pink!