Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about Non Invasive Prenatal Testing
What is the difference between the NHS screening and the NIPT screen?
Accuracy
Both the NHS 1st trimester combined and 2nd trimester quadruple screening test use placental hormone markers to assess the risk of the pregnancy being affected with a chromosomal abnormality. NIPT is different in that the blood sample looks at the actual pregnancy DNA and so is far more accurate at assessing the risk.
I have been given a risk of 1 in 100 with NHS combined test. Why will your NIPT test be different?
Accuracy
The NHS 1st trimester combined test and the 2nd trimester test look at a combination of ultrasound and / or placental biochemical markers. The risk estimation you are given indicates the chance of your baby having a chromosomal problem. In this case and with this profile, they would have to perform 100 invasive sampling via CVS /Amniocentesis to possibly find the 1 baby with a chromosomal problem. All pregnant women will vary in the way they profile these marker characteristics. It is important to remember with any risk that almost ALL babies will be normal and will not be affected with a chromosomal problem like Down’s Syndrome.
NIPT is different because from a simple maternal blood sample from the arm of the mother it will assess the baby’s cfDNA. The easiest way to describe this in layman’s terms is that we are taking a finger print of your baby’s DNA. Your baby’s DNA is specific to your pregnancy and thus NIPT will see if there are any extra chromosomes circulating. The NIPT test is accurate in 99.7% of cases so it is proven to be Safe, Simple and Reliable.
My midwife has told me about the Harmony test, what is the Harmony Test?
A brand of NIPT
Many people ask for the “Harmony Test”. The “Harmony Test” is a branded NIPT test and it is just one of many NIPT tests available on the market today (a bit like a Hoover isn’t the only available vacuum cleaner!). All the well-known brands have the same equivalent detection rates and all are processed in accredited laboratories.
How do I choose which is the best NIPT screen for me?
Let us help you
When screening for the common trisomies all offerings have a good and very similar detection rate. Most people want to get a result in the quickest time and so the turnaround time or TAT is important. TAT is the time it takes from the blood sample arriving in the laboratory and the result being issued.
Another factor to consider is the redraw rate. The best tests are those with a low redraw rate.
What does a redraw mean?
A second blood sample
As everyone is an individual all pregnancies are different and so is the amount of pregnancy DNA which circulates in the mother’s blood stream. If there is a low amount of pregnancy DNA then on occasion there is not enough at the time the sample was taken for the test to give an answer.
The amount of pregnancy DNA increases as the pregnancy advances so a subsequent sample or redraw will usually mean that a result can be obtained at the second attempt.
When can I have the NIPT screen?
10 weeks +
A NIPT sample can be taken any time after 10 weeks in pregnancy.
What is the latest gestation NIPT can be performed at?
All through pregnancy
There is no upper limit when a NIPT sample can be taken but the sooner the sample is taken the earlier the result can be given.
Should I have the NHS screening test as well?
Not recommended
NIPT is a far superior screening test than the standard NHS 1st trimester combined or 2nd trimester quadruple tests, so if you have opted to have the NIPT first then we would not advise the NHS screens being undertaken. The result from the NHS screen may contradict the NIPT result, potentially leading to unnecessary concern and worry. Even the NHS have agreed that if NIPT is undertaken the NHS combined test is not recommended!
Do I need to have an ultrasound scan with the NIPT test?
Yes
An ultrasound is needed to assess the presence and gestational age of the pregnancy and to identify if more than one baby is present, eg twins, triplets…or more! For these reasons we firmly believe that an ultrasound scan should always be performed prior to having NIPT screening.
Is NIPT suitable for twins?
Yes
Yes, certain NIPT screens can be used where twins are present, but it is not suitable if you are carrying more than twins– please call our trained advisors to discuss.
Is NIPT suitable for IVF pregnancies?
Yes
Again, yes certain NIPT screens can be used – please call our trained advisors to discuss.
I’m a surrogate mum for a family, can NIPT be used in this type of pregnancy?
Yes
Again, yes certain NIPT screens can be used – please call our trained advisors to discuss.
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