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MaterniT? Harmony? Etc? I've never heard of these! I was PG in 2012. Did these just not exist then? Or do they not exist in my area? I was never offered or told about ANYTHNG like this. My OB told me after my anatomy scan (at 18 weeks) that he could test for Down syndrome and stuff, but didn't see any need for it based on the ultrasound.
Now I'm seeing these tests that can tell you gender at 9 weeks! WHAT?!?
What are these tests and how do I get one once I'm PG with #2???
I am with you. I have had 3 kids over the past 15 years and I had never heard of these tests until gender disappointment boards came around! Where have I been or why doesn't the doctor mention these????
As far as I know the test are only available in the US. You can get bloods drawn and shipped to them internationally, but you have to spend a lot on the shipping...
They are new and it's 11 weeks for better accuracy.
Do you just request to have one done? It's not a routine thing, right?
They are all based on similar tech and run $500-1000 without insurance. Panorama can test starting at 9w but the other you need to be at least 10w, possibly later for some. They are available worldwide but in some places waiting time/cost may be additional due to shipping samples to the US. I know that Europe has labs now and so do parts of Canada, but Australia doesn't yet.
For low-risk women under 35 without a history of genetic defects/past trisomies these tests aren't usually covered by insurance, BUT some OB offices are starting to replace the NT scan with fetal cell tests. In that case, drs will often offer a choice of either the NT scan or blood test, but not both. For AMA and high-risk women, many offices are routinely doing a blood test, nearly always in addition to an NT scan, and insurance covers it.
I expect they will replace the NT and/or be routinely offered/covered for low risk pregnancies within several years.
I had a bay 18 months ago and they weren't even available when I was pg with him, but I'm def doing it next baby!
I have a 3 year old and they were not available in Australia when he was born, that's how new they are. This time my Doctor offered it to me instead of the combined NT test (which I still did because they do check for other problems with the NT). I did the Harmony one. I paid about 700AUD to have it shipped to the US for testing and it takes 10 days to get the results. It is not a diagnostic test and does not say for sure your baby does not have a certain trisomy, it's a screening test and it gives you the odds of having a baby with a trisomy. I did mine at 13 weeks and it came back baby has 1 in 10.000 chances of having Downs, compared to NT which was 1:320. I prefer the odds of the Harmony to NT! It also tells the gender, and after 10 weeks it is more accurate. I think it is a great way to do trisomy screening as it will eliminate the need for unnecessary invasive tests. With my DS3, just 3 years ago I had an NT result of 1:162 and was scared and ended up having an amnio, if Harmony was available then I would not have needed the amnio. I would definitely do it, even though it's pricey.
I have had MaterniT21 testing done with my last two pregnancies. You really need to do your research as far as cost and what insurance covers. Whatever test you end up going with you should call that tests specific billing department and discuss your specific insurance and what is covered and what isn't. MaterniT21 can cost as much as $2600 out of pocket or as little as $200 depending on your insurance.
Your doctor won't routinely offer it to you (just like they don't offer you an amnio) unless you have a history of certain chromosomal disorders or you are over 35. Based on the quad screen you might also be offered the testing or based off of the 20 week ultrasound you also might be offered the testing. The gender portion is just a "bonus", it really isn't a reason in itself to get the testing done. It is a good marketing move by these companies because it has got everyone talking about these tests!!
The panorama test only became available in Ireland in July 2013, it's not offered routinely and you have to pay for it yourself (550 euros )
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