Didn't get Panorama today...need advice.

[Houseofblue]

So I had my OB appt today where I thought I would be getting the Panorama (I am almost 11 weeks). The doc I saw said since I have state insurance, even though I am over 35, it would still have to pay $300 out of pocket for it. She recommended doing the regular 12 week u/s with screening bloodwork and if an issue was indicated the Panorama would be covered.

My dh, bless him, said if I really want the Panorama I can do it, but we struggle with money and my DS1's birthday party is soon and I just don't know if I want to spend the $300 right now. I think also, I'm just scared.... scared to find out gender, scared to find out something is wrong and then have to decide to continue the pregnancy or not...I'd almost rather not have to make any decisions like that, kwim?

So right now the plan is to make an appt at the end of my 12th week (b/c I want to get a good nub shot) and do the screening bloodwork (and I know both aren't 100% accurate), and if I still have a burning desire to find out gender 100% then pay the $300 and do the Panorama since you can do it anytime.

Weirdly I almost felt relieved I couldn't do it..I have been dreading it. I am thinking that the 12 week screen will 1) bring relief about health if everything looks good, so then won't be scared of the Panorama for that reason, and 2) maybe give a clue about gender so I am prepared if it looks boyish.

What do you think?

[Rosie85]

I think 300 is a lot of money. I understand the desire to know gender but the cost would deter me from the test. The baby is what it is...it won't change. I would not get it but that is just my opinion. Hope everything goes well at your scan though and that you get a lovely nub shot.

[Mrs_Incredible]

I don't trust the nuchal / cubs screening in the uk. I've personally seen a low risk baby born with ds, and my sis got high risk 1:17 and my nephew is perfect. I'm 38 so for hopeful " health of the baby peace of mind" i paid £650 on a credit card. I just wanted to know if our baby was healthy, I have no idea what I would have done with that information, I guess until you're faced with it you can't really say.
Then when i miraculously heard healthy girl I've spent the past 6 days doubting the gender bit!!?? Go with what makes you feel content. I was prepared to let go of my dream of a daughter (expected to find out boy at 14 weeks) early to hopefully get good news and get peace of mind re health of baby. I got harmony after my cubs scan at 12+5, as they way i knew baby looked viable xxx

(Having my sister go through her pg with the high risk -from the cubs screening- hanging over her head was incredibly stressful. I probably couldn't have justified the £££ to myself had we not gone through this, however after going through that with her last year, I felt it was worth the debt to get peace of mind. Hers was a miracle pg, she was told she would never have a baby, she couldn't risk mc with amino or cvs.)

[Rosie85]

It depends...are you paying 300 to get the gender or to know about the health? If it's more for the health aspect and you would want to terminate an unhealthy baby and think you are at risk 300 is worth it in my opinion.

[LilithWiser1979]

I would call Natera directly. I think their fee is actually lower than $300 if it isn't covered. Call your insurance, as well, and ask them point blank if it'll be covered or not.

[Houseofblue]

Thanks everyone! The combined 1st trimester screen is over 95% accurate in detecting the trisomies (not as good as 99% of course but not bad). At least those are the stats here in the states....the 2nd tri screening (quad screening) is notorious for being wrong...not sure if they do that anymore?

It only checks for the 3 trisomies tho, not Turners or any of the other syndromes listed that the Panorama tests for...and also doesn't tell gender.

Idk what I want.... maybe I'll call insurance and the company Lilith suggested to find out if the $300 is correct and go from there. If it's cheaper I may rethink it but if not maybe just go with the original plan.

[atomic sagebrush]

I would have you schedule your "12 week" u/s as late as possible even into th 13th week if you can to get a better result on gender.

THere are always those one in a million stories but virtually all serious genetic abnormalities are visible on ultrasound and I would never spend money I did not have on a test for that reason alone

[Houseofblue]

I think that's what I'm going to do... thanks Atomic!!