#harmony test

We made it through the first trimester :). My husband wanted to do the first trimester screening (NT scan + heart scan + bloodwork) and the Harmony Test (blood test for changes in the number of chromosomes). The scan was perfect, now we wait for the lab results. I enjoyed the scan (they had such a great ultrasound machine -> perfect pictures and we now know the sex of the little one already ;), but I don’t like waiting for the lab results. We’ll get them in the middle of next week. If everything is fine, we finally share the news at work etc. Our families already guessing if it’s a boy or girl, but we won’t tell them - it’s real fun ;).

I’m feeling very good physically (had some nausea and was veeery tired, both has improved a lot), but I can’t shrug off all the doubts. Of course the critical early weeks are over, but as I’ve worked in Gyn/OB the last 7 years I’ve also seen the rare cases. Can’t talk with my husband about that (normally he’s the one who worries and he is just happy at the moment - I don’t want to destroy that). And I know that those fears are irrational. Most of the pregnancies / births going I’ve seen over the years went well. But of course the bad experiences are stuck in my brain. Also I’ve got a kind of ‘survivors guilt’ overcoiming infertility. I still follow many TTC blogs and I just hope that all of them will be pregnant soon. This community helped me a lot.

I guess I’m getting a little hormonal at the moment (one day absolutely happy and on the next I can’t belive in our luck) But that’s normal in pregnancy I guess :).

Introduction to the NIPT Harmony Test

The nipt harmony test represents a groundbreaking advancement in prenatal screening. It is designed to offer expectant parents early insights into the health of their developing baby. This non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT) analyzes fetal DNA present in the mother's blood to detect certain genetic conditions with high accuracy. The nipt harmony test is particularly effective in screening for chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, Edwards syndrome, and Patau syndrome.

What is NIPT?

Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing (nipt) is a method used to determine the risk of a fetus having certain genetic disorders. Unlike invasive procedures such as amniocentesis, nipt involves taking a blood sample from the mother. This test examines fragments of fetal DNA circulating in the maternal bloodstream. The benefits of nipt are manifold, including its safety, high sensitivity, and specificity. It significantly reduces the need for more invasive tests, thus minimizing potential risks to both the mother and the baby.

The Harmony Test Explained

The harmony test is a type of NIPT that offers detailed information about the baby's genetic health. It is known for its high accuracy and reliability. The harmony test screens for common chromosomal conditions and can be performed as early as 10 weeks into the pregnancy. The process involves a simple blood draw from the mother, which is then analyzed in a laboratory to check for genetic conditions. The harmony test is preferred by many healthcare providers due to its proven effectiveness and low false-positive rates.

NIPT Test: Procedure and Benefits

The nipt test is a straightforward procedure that begins with a blood sample from the pregnant mother. This sample is then sent to a specialized lab where the fetal DNA is extracted and analyzed. The nipt test offers several advantages:

Non-invasive: No risk of miscarriage compared to procedures like amniocentesis.

Early detection: Can be conducted as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy.

Accurate: High detection rates for chromosomal abnormalities.

Peace of mind: Provides early reassurance for expectant parents.

Availability of Harmony Test in Ireland

The harmony test Ireland has become increasingly popular due to its reliability and ease of use. Many healthcare facilities across Ireland now offer this test, making it accessible for expectant parents who want to ensure the health of their unborn child. The harmony test in Ireland is conducted by trained medical professionals, and the results are typically available within a week. This test provides Irish parents with valuable information, enabling them to make informed decisions about their pregnancy.

NIPT Test in Ireland: What You Need to Know

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If you’re considering the Harmony test for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) then you may be wondering when will be the best time to book your appointment. You have a lot of flexibility in the timing as the test can be carried out throughout most of your pregnancy.

When Can the Harmony Test Be Performed?

The earliest time you can have the Harmony test is at 10 weeks.

The test can then be performed at any time during the rest of your pregnancy.

When Will the Harmony Test Results Be Available?

It won't usually take more than 7 days for the test results to be ready.

Most people will receive their results in 3-7 days, but they may be returned sooner or later.

When is the Best Time to Have the Harmony Test?

You should consider the following when deciding when to have NIPT:

You might want to wait until after the nuchal scan (which can be performed between 11 week 5 days and 13 weeks 5 days) before deciding if NIPT is right for you. If your baby is at low risk you might not feel the need for NIPT, if there is a higher risk then the Harmony test can confirm it.

The Harmony test can be performed earlier than the nuchal scan, so you might want to have it at 10-11 weeks if you would rather not wait for the ultrasound, for example if you are at particularly high risk due to your age or family history.

You might decide to have the test later if any issues are detected in later ultrasound scans or even if you simply change your mind.

Amniocentesis isn’t usually performed after 20 weeks, so if you want to have the option of confirming the NIPT results with a diagnostic test you should keep this in mind when you book your appointment.

The Harmony test is a screening test that you may want to have during pregnancy, especially if your nuchal ultrasound scan has suggested that your baby may be at risk of a chromosomal abnormality such as Down’s syndrome. If you’re thinking about having this test, read on to learn more about exactly what the Harmony test is and how it is performed.

Non-invasive Prenatal Testing

Non-invasive prenatal testing or NIPT is a special type of blood test that is able to screen for genetic and chromosomal abnormalities in a developing foetus:

Some genetic material from the placenta enters the mother’s bloodstream.

The DNA can be collected from a blood sample and analysed in the lab for specific genetic problems or to check for missing or extra copies of the chromosomes.

Since the placenta is genetically identical to the baby, the results will reveal whether the baby has any of the genetic problems that are being tested.

The Harmony Test

The Harmony test is one of the most popular types of NIPT in the UK:

Can be performed at any time after 10 weeks of pregnancy.

Screens for Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s syndrome.

Can determine your baby’s sex and screen for sex chromosome abnormalities.

Is able to screen both twins if you’re expecting two babies.

Having the Harmony Test

If you decide to have the Harmony test while you are pregnant then you should expect the following:

A small sample of blood will be taken from your arm in the same way as for any other blood test.

At The Birth Company you will be able to have an ultrasound scan at the same appointment to confirm the pregnancy and check whether you are carrying more than one baby.

It will usually take 3-7 days for the Harmony test results to be ready (but the results may come back sooner or later in some cases)

Results are expressed as a probability that the baby is affected by each of the genetic abnormalities that were included in the test.

We’re off to the Fetal Medicine Centre this afternoon to discuss the Harmony/Quad conflict. This is the last conversation that we’ll be having with a specialist before ultimately deciding what to do, have the amniocentesis or do without it.

I am still mostly against having the amnio but The Wife is still unsure. All the people we’ve spoken to have told us to trust the Harmony results. It showed low risk and the scans appear to back that up.

However, in our last consultation The Wife asked if any Downs babies are born having had no indicators in the scans and we couldn’t be given an answer. This wasn’t reassuring enough for her, hence her still sitting on the fence and unable to make that decision.