Harmony blood work

Jenniferk08 · January 2016

Anyone else doing/did the harmony test? My doc wants me to go after 1/12.
When I was scheduling there was another couple scheduling other appt but stated they were refusing that test.

Anything I should know about this test that I wasn't told?

redheadbride15 · January 2016

I'm not sure what you were told about the test, but some people refuse if they don't want to know about chromosomal anomalies. Others may not get it if it is not covered by insurance (it usually isn't unless you're AMA or have another risk factor). Otherwise, it's a very personal decision. I think most who opt in do so because they feel that an early diagnosis would be helpful for them - in some cases to consider termination, but in many other cases to prepare physically/emotionally for the possible outcomes and/or interventions that would be helpful.

I did MaterniT21, which is the same test as Harmony but a different company. I had blood drawn at 10 weeks and by 11 weeks knew that my fetus did not have trisomy 21, 18, 13, or a sex chromosome aneuploidy. I also had reassuring results that several of the more common smaller chromosome disorders (microdeletion syndromes) were unlikely. With those results I knew my risk of miscarriage, birth defects, and severe complications were low. That gave me enormous peace of mind. (And bonus - I learned I was having a boy!). I think you do have to be prepared to know what you'd do if one of those anomalies IS detected though.

Good luck!

Wyattnash00 · January 2016

Agree with @redheadbride15, I'm the type of person that likes to be prepared for anything. I had the panorama test, same type of test as the others. Insurance should definitely cover yours, but it's obviously a personal decision if you would do anything different if you knew if your baby had abnormalities. Bonus on the gender too, were having a girl, already have a boy:)

Sporty1216 · January 2016

Yep--I think it's just a personal preference issue. I declined it last time and will likely do the same again. I knew I didn't want to do any invasive testing and so it was easier to just do none at all. I figured that if there was a problem, it would likely show up at the anatomy scan (I know that doesn't detect everything, though) and we could deal with it from there. Thankfully, all was well last time and I pray it will be this time too. But minimal testing was what brought me the most peace and I think that's what it's really all about, whatever you decide to do.

carrieandr · January 2016

I got my blood drawn Monday for it and am anxiously awaiting the results. Hopefully it will be good, which would give me peace of mind. Plus, I'd love to know if I'm having a boy or girl.

gemini2005 · January 2016

We had the Harmon test done at 12 weeks. The results took about seven business days and we were relieved when we found out we were low risk for certain chromosomal disorders. I'm glad we had the test since I'm a very anxious person and it was one less thing to worry about. We also found out we are having another girl which is more great news!

lickastick · January 2016

@CarrieandRoy that's so exciting you will get the results back soon and find out the sex! Wishing you the best results possible! Keep us posted.

Mamafesto · January 2016

@redheadbride15, I'm wondering what you think about having the first trimester screening rather than the free cell DNA test. My OB seems to prefer it bc even though it's slightly less accurate at detecting the trisomies, she things the scan gives you more information about other potential birth defects or anomalies that the blood test can't pick up. Looking for your professional opinion. Thanks in advance!

redheadbride15 · January 2016

It's a good question @Mamafesto. She's probably referring to the AFP level, which is one of the markers that they look for in the serum screening for chromosome anomalies but is also a marker of neural tube defects (like spina bifida). The major downside to the screening test is that it only gives you a risk assessment rather than a definitive yes/no answer. It has a high false positive rate, so you have to be willing to deal with the potential stress involved in that, and needing to then go through confirmatory testing. On the flip side, some people can have a "negative" screen (which just means low risk) and still have an affected fetus. As a woman of AMA, your risk of a chromosome anomaly (especially trisomy 21), is much higher than your risk of a neural tube defect (risk of NTDs is about 1:1000, compared with somewhere between 1:50-1:200 for trisomy 21 depending on your exact age), so personally I would opt for the test that is most accurate for the condition I'm at highest risk for - this would mean cell free fetal DNA. That being said, the serum screening test is not a bad option as long as you're willing to accept and deal with its limitations as I noted above.

Another option that some OBs offer (including my own) is a combination of cell free fetal DNA testing with an NT scan. The scan should pick up neural tube defects as well as a few other birth defects that can be seen early on. The increased NT measurement (thickness at the back of the neck) is classically a marker of trisomy 21 but it can also be seen in some other conditions, so that's another reason to do an NT scan in addition to cell free fetal DNA testing. Also remember that even if you don't do an NT scan ultrasound at 11-13 weeks you can still have the anatomy scan at about 18-20 weeks, which will definitely pick up most neural tube defects as well as other things.

Infantino22 · January 2016

I just had the blood draw today for the Harmony test. Others have done a great job of filling in the details for you, but I will add that you need to call your insurance (I would do so now) to start the prior authorization process if your insurance requires it. I have United Healthcare and my test is covered 100% because I'm 35, but for some crazy reason you need to get a prior authorization form approved first. It seems nuts, because they know my age, and that's all they need to approve it, but that's the way it goes. In my case, I called my doctor and they had me work with the harmony test company directly to have them submit the prior authorization to my insurance. They did so, and marked it urgent because I only had a few days before my test. It all worked out and it was approved, so it will be no charge. The customer service and billing people at Harmony were great to work with and it was easy once I got the right folks on the phone. Good luck!

Want a personalized experience?

Harmony blood work

Re: Harmony blood work

Choose Another Board

Search Boards