@addisong My results came back as high risk for Trisomy 21, and my sono at the specialist's office showed multiple markers confirming Down syndrome. Not exactly the same, but I know the feeling of uncertainty of high risk results. If you need someone to talk to, feel free to message me. You aren't alone in this. I've found some groups to join on FB and in my city (I haven't reached out to them yet, but I will as time goes on and we're ready to do so.) Hugs and good vibes to you during this stressful time.
@hillaryo14 - so glad you've found a local community that you'll be able to reach out to when you get to that point. A wonderful blog that I've followed for several years may offer some insight as well: https://www.jillianbenfield.com/ Good vibes and hugs to you too!
@addisong second insufficient sample, low fetal fractions. I went and complained, got a new draw for a different company (counsyl instead of quest's qnatal) the office is going to foot any bill for it which is nice, but I am now 14 weeks (after I complained and asked for an NT scan after the first insufficient sample and the said no) well its too late now....
ughhh @velvetskyy can you complain and ask for a referral to maternal fetal medicine for an additional/early anatomy scan? I had my first with DD at 16 weeks because of an elevated AFP test and while they couldn't comment on the heart officially because it was so small, they could see enough to know she was doing well. You've done so much waiting already--it seems unfair that they're going to make you wait some more!
@velvetskyy sorry you've had low fetal fractions twice now. I think its the least your clinic can do to pick up the tab considering they wouldn't do the NT scan
*TW*
TTC 1/2012 Diagnosed : unexplained infertility 6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015 TTC #3 5/2016 Restarted Fertility tx IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
@velvetskyy I am SO sorry you're going through this! Apparently that's what mine was too, but Panorama brand tells you that low fetal fractions (under 3% that other brands would claim "no result") = high risk for the trisomies. I met with a genetic counselor today and had an ultrasound (similar to anatomy scan) that showed no signs of chromosomal markers... it helped SO much!! She said there are many reasons for low fetal fractions that they are still researching.. BMI, certain medications, etc. I'm feeling much better to just have some answers. Since I was too late for an NT (15 weeks) as well, and too soon for full anatomy scan, this was the next best thing. Any chance of asking your doctor for a genetic counselor referral?
Good luck to you! I hope you get some answers soon. I know I'm feeling 10000 lbs lighter with our news!!!
@addisong I will have to ask for it, see what they say. I used to see an MFM after my first was born before my second when I was undergoing IVF etc. (I do have an autoimmune disorder which from my intensive research could be a contributing factor as well as being on an aspirin protocol). That was in a different state though, so I will have to locate another good one and push for the u/s.
How many weeks were you when you had your early scan? I'm 14w2d now.
The positive news for the day was our result came back for negative on Spinal Muscular Atrophy. So thats good at least.
@WinchesterGirl the wait sucks, hopefully you have good results soon!
@addisong so glad you had a good scan! @velvetskyy I hope you can get into MFM soon! So glad your SMA result was negative--it's such a heartbreaking disease.
My persistence finally paid off... The counsyl results are IN! Everything is normal!!! And we are having a third boy. I am so glad that I pushed for a different lab. (and it was so nice to see regular updates online with where they were in progress)
Did anyone's insurance not cover their NIPT? Mine denied coverage - they haven't billed me for it yet, but I logged into the Natera portal and the cost is $3.9K. I'm just like
@sw1122 I have experience with Natera billing, not for NIPT but for other things like in depth genetic testing DH and I had done by our fertility clinic. They charged us over $7k each for testing, but when I called Natera they offered to "settle" with me for $200 per test. Separately, we didn't use Natera for NIPT type testing, but my practice was a little weird about it and basically said it should be covered (I'm over 35) but seemed to steer me towards paying the OOP price instead of seeing if the insurance would cover it because the OOP cost was about half of what the cost otherwise would be (allegedly). I think that was probably the wrong call in retrospect because in my experience companies will usually work with you on cost where tests are not covered. TLDR: Call Natera and be prepared to pay a lower cost by credit card.
@sw1122 I used Natera for NIPT. My insurance isn’t covering it, to my knowledge. I was told byy OB & the Natera rep the OOP price will be no more than $200.
@jrm_14@zamora_spin - thanks for this! I'll call Natera and see if they're able to help and lower the cost. I wasn't expecting my insurance to cover the cost because I'm just under 35 and I don't have anything in my medical record/history to indicate that I would be high risk. I was expecting to pay about $2k, so I was surprised to see $3.9k. I do wish my OB warned me about the cost, but I guess I don't regret it - knowing that everything is ok so far is reassuring.
@sw1122 It definitely should not be $2k. And when you call don't give them an amount you're willing to pay, just tell them you can't pay your bill and your insurance isn't covering it so you are self-pay. Ask them if there is a lesser amount they will settle for. It sounds like from what @jrm_14 said it should be in the neighborhood of $200.
@sw1122 the main reason we didn’t pursue the NIPT is because we couldn’t get a straight answer from our insurance. I think the cash price was $250ish, but we couldn’t get a straight answer on that either. It sounded like we would pay more if the insurance DID cover it?!
@thirdtimesacharm2019 that’s so confusing! It’s frustrating dealing with insurance companies. When I had bloodwork done in December, Natera called me and told me that my insurance wouldn’t cover it because I hadn’t met my annual deductible and natera’s self pay option was less expensive. I’m not sure what is going on though because aenta still shows the billing status as “pending”.
@purplg8r I hope you get a clear explanation from your insurance and that they cover those costs!
Just curious, with so many of us finding out what the gender is, did any of you try the Chinese gender thing or any of the old wives tales to see if your results match?
@mamamias - Since I went through fertility treatments, it wouldn't apply to me ... per the date of the retrieval+insemination, all 13 of my embryos should be boys. DD1 is 2.5 and DD2 is due in August. Per the calendar for those "cycles" where they were transferred (though not "conceived"), one should've been a boy and the other a girl.
**History in Spoiler**
Me-35, DH-36 - TTC since 08/10 Me - anovulatory, non-Insulin PCOS, DH - low end of "normal" sperm count IUI#1 - 02/15 - Cancelled due to scrubbed sperm count <1MM IVF#1 - 08/15 - 13x5-day blastocysts (ranging from AA-BB, most are 5 or 6), not PGS, on ice FET#1 - 10/15 - 1 emb - BFP (DD 07/16) (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium) FET#2 - 07/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium) FET#3 - 08/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium) FET#4 - 10/17 - 2 emb - BFN (changed to estrace + prometrium because of allergic reaction to PIO sesame oil) ERA Testing - 12/17 - window moved (-1 day) FET#5 - 03/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used) Karyotype Testing - 04/18 - Negative (we're ok) FET#6 - 06/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used) FET#7 - 10/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used) FET#8 - 11/18 - 2 emb - BFP; looks like one baby is going to make it, DD is due 8/16 (though likely to be 8/9)
@purplg8r - This is my fear, that insurance won't apply a discount - despite my husband being the manager of North American benefits and he confirmed it was covered, given I'm also AMA. I'm still pissed they pulled that crap on the standard blood test for my first prenatal appt. Oh well, I'm hitting out-of-pocket max anyway (gotta love non-government-employee, American health insurance!), I guess it's better to do it before I have the baby so the hospital doesn't harass me for 30,000 years? LOL.
**History in Spoiler**
Me-35, DH-36 - TTC since 08/10 Me - anovulatory, non-Insulin PCOS, DH - low end of "normal" sperm count IUI#1 - 02/15 - Cancelled due to scrubbed sperm count <1MM IVF#1 - 08/15 - 13x5-day blastocysts (ranging from AA-BB, most are 5 or 6), not PGS, on ice FET#1 - 10/15 - 1 emb - BFP (DD 07/16) (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium) FET#2 - 07/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium) FET#3 - 08/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium) FET#4 - 10/17 - 2 emb - BFN (changed to estrace + prometrium because of allergic reaction to PIO sesame oil) ERA Testing - 12/17 - window moved (-1 day) FET#5 - 03/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used) Karyotype Testing - 04/18 - Negative (we're ok) FET#6 - 06/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used) FET#7 - 10/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used) FET#8 - 11/18 - 2 emb - BFP; looks like one baby is going to make it, DD is due 8/16 (though likely to be 8/9)
the dr called to tell me the lab didn’t get enough fetal blood for the maternity 21 test so they have to draw my blood again. She said she’s not worried but I am. Anyone know anything about this?
@mia8263 I don't have personal experience with that, but there have been a couple
folks who have had inconclusive results on this thread (a quick look says
velvetskyy on page 3, addisong page 4, I think there were some more too). When
the results are inconclusive it is due to low fetal fraction. The test I did
they needed a fetal fraction of at least 4% to get a conclusive result,
idk how/if that differs among test brands.
If you look on page 4 of this discussion addisong had an inconclusive initial
result and mwmiller4 posted some information on why that might be, as well as a
reassuring study from 2014 that does not find a connection between increased
risk of an abnormal result and low fetal fraction. Good luck.
Re: NT/NIPT Discussion
@aecm - Your experience reallllly helped to read. THANK YOU!
@velvetskyy - Thanks, and I hope you get your results this morning! Keep us posted.
Good vibes and hugs to you too!
BFP 06/25/17 | EDD 02/24/18 | DS2 02/19/18
BFP 06/25/17 | EDD 02/24/18 | DS2 02/19/18
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
I'm feeling much better to just have some answers. Since I was too late for an NT (15 weeks) as well, and too soon for full anatomy scan, this was the next best thing. Any chance of asking your doctor for a genetic counselor referral?
Good luck to you! I hope you get some answers soon. I know I'm feeling 10000 lbs lighter with our news!!!
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
How many weeks were you when you had your early scan? I'm 14w2d now.
The positive news for the day was our result came back for negative on Spinal Muscular Atrophy. So thats good at least.
@WinchesterGirl the wait sucks, hopefully you have good results soon!
BFP 06/25/17 | EDD 02/24/18 | DS2 02/19/18
@velvetskyy I am so sorry you are going through this. I hope you get more answers soon--that is good news about your SMA results though!
@velvetskyy I hope you can get into MFM soon! So glad your SMA result was negative--it's such a heartbreaking disease.
BFP 06/25/17 | EDD 02/24/18 | DS2 02/19/18
Diagnosed : unexplained infertility
6 rounds of IUI and a MC 2/2014, rainbow twins 4/2015
TTC #3 5/2016
Restarted Fertility tx
IUI 2 rounds, baby girl 12/17
TTC#1 10/2016
TTC/IF:included medicated cycles, IUIs and 2 rounds of IVF with 1 embryo each.
BFP finally in 12/2018
TTC#2 06/2021
planning FET
"Some days are diamonds, some days are rocks,
some doors are open, some roads are blocked"
I'm going to be so outnumbered!
BFP 06/25/17 | EDD 02/24/18 | DS2 02/19/18
OB & the Natera rep the OOP price will be no more than $200.
*Live, Love, Laugh, Learn*
@purplg8r I hope you get a clear explanation from your insurance and that they cover those costs!
Me - anovulatory, non-Insulin PCOS, DH - low end of "normal" sperm count
IUI#1 - 02/15 - Cancelled due to scrubbed sperm count <1MM
IVF#1 - 08/15 - 13x5-day blastocysts (ranging from AA-BB, most are 5 or 6), not PGS, on ice
FET#1 - 10/15 - 1 emb - BFP (DD 07/16) (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#2 - 07/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#3 - 08/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#4 - 10/17 - 2 emb - BFN (changed to estrace + prometrium because of allergic reaction to PIO sesame oil)
ERA Testing - 12/17 - window moved (-1 day)
FET#5 - 03/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
Karyotype Testing - 04/18 - Negative (we're ok)
FET#6 - 06/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#7 - 10/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#8 - 11/18 - 2 emb - BFP; looks like one baby is going to make it, DD is due 8/16 (though likely to be 8/9)
Me - anovulatory, non-Insulin PCOS, DH - low end of "normal" sperm count
IUI#1 - 02/15 - Cancelled due to scrubbed sperm count <1MM
IVF#1 - 08/15 - 13x5-day blastocysts (ranging from AA-BB, most are 5 or 6), not PGS, on ice
FET#1 - 10/15 - 1 emb - BFP (DD 07/16) (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#2 - 07/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#3 - 08/17 - 1 emb - BFN (estrace + PIO sesame oil + prometrium)
FET#4 - 10/17 - 2 emb - BFN (changed to estrace + prometrium because of allergic reaction to PIO sesame oil)
ERA Testing - 12/17 - window moved (-1 day)
FET#5 - 03/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
Karyotype Testing - 04/18 - Negative (we're ok)
FET#6 - 06/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#7 - 10/18 - 2 emb - BFN (estrace + prometrium, ERA-timing used)
FET#8 - 11/18 - 2 emb - BFP; looks like one baby is going to make it, DD is due 8/16 (though likely to be 8/9)
@mia8263 I don't have personal experience with that, but there have been a couple folks who have had inconclusive results on this thread (a quick look says velvetskyy on page 3, addisong page 4, I think there were some more too). When the results are inconclusive it is due to low fetal fraction. The test I did they needed a fetal fraction of at least 4% to get a conclusive result, idk how/if that differs among test brands. If you look on page 4 of this discussion addisong had an inconclusive initial result and mwmiller4 posted some information on why that might be, as well as a reassuring study from 2014 that does not find a connection between increased risk of an abnormal result and low fetal fraction. Good luck.