Panorama Testing

[winewinebustarhyme]

I finally had my first appt today. This is my second baby, my DS is 2. Back when I was pregnant with him, I remember hearing about the harmony testing and the panorama testing, but it wasn't super common and usually you paid out of pocket, so we didn't even consider it.

My OB is really encouraging the panorama testing this time around (no specific reason). Mostly she explained that the OB networks and associations are petitioning to have this test become standard and covered by insurance, so the provider/screening company for Panorama has guaranteed all of the people who have the test done pay no more than $100 out of pocket.

I'm almost certain it's only a blood test for me and a cheek swab for DH. Anyone have any feedback/heard this at their appt too/had this screening in the past?

Thanks ladies! 

[annarose]

When I was pregnant 3 years ago, my doctor was of the opinion that since I had no interest whatsoever in doing an amino if the results indicated anything funny, that it would be a waste of time and money to do the test. I also believe you can get false positives ( or maybe it was false negatives. I don't remember 100%). I'm not an in a high risk age group or have any history to indicated needing the test so unless her opinion has changed, I probably won't be doing any of these tests.

[babycaps]

annarose, panorama isn't amnio. there is no risk to the baby at all as it is only a lab draw on the mom and possible cheek swab.
It looks at fetal DNA in the mother's blood.

I don't think I'll do it. I don't "fit the criteria" so at least in my OB's office, i'm pretty sure I'd be paying entirely OOP and I'd rather spend that money on a vacation before baby arrives!

[Ruca]

Had a phone appointment with the nurse today and she brought it up... We got it done with DD and insurance covered it. It was an ultrasound and blood work. I guess there is a quad screen too which I thought was the same but it's not haha We'll be doing the screening, it gives us a chance to see nugget

[mushe]

I'm doing whatever brand of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT is how my insurance refers to it) is offered by my OB/insurance. However, I'm AMA and my IF diagnosis means I've got a lot of bad eggs, so we want to be prepared. I think it's cool that OBs are willing to order these more, but have heard that the efficacy varies by the test. A girlfriend had Panorama and it was done at 9w; I think my insurance does MaterniT21, which I'd read elsewhere has the best rates of identifying issues.

But yeah, this wasn't at all common when I was pregnant with DS 3ish years ago, so I'm kind of excited to try it this time!

[grneyes]

I'm planning on having the testing done through one of the various companies because of my loss history. It's also recommended if you are AMA due to the increased risk of Down Syndrome. It's just a simple blood draw, and is more accurate than the older first tri blood screening. You also have the option of learning the sex of the baby through the testing starting around 10 weeks.

[mrssqueegy]

These tests have a much lower false positive rate comparing to the typical triple/quad screen. They are not standard here in Canada yet, but we are doing Harmony OOP because I have a family history of neural tube defects. I would never terminate or do an amnio but I want to be prepared if something did come up so that is why we decided to do it.

[annarose]

babycaps - yes, I know the panorama is not an amino. If the test came back showing any abnormalities, my doctor would then suggest further testing with an amino. Since I wouldn't be interested in getting an amino she said doing the first round of panorama testing would be for nothing basically

[helloerrbody]

Sept 28, 2015 14:37:21 GMT -5 babycaps said:

annarose, panorama isn't amnio. there is no risk to the baby at all as it is only a lab draw on the mom and possible cheek swab.
It looks at fetal DNA in the mother's blood.

I don't think I'll do it. I don't "fit the criteria" so at least in my OB's office, i'm pretty sure I'd be paying entirely OOP and I'd rather spend that money on a vacation before baby arrives!

She was saying that she won't do an amnio afterward even if the results from the panorama suggest something may be wrong.

I'm with her. We are not doing the testing because I don't want the stress of a false positive or even a correct positive to be honest.

[babycaps]

Sept 28, 2015 15:10:41 GMT -5 helloerrbody said:

Sept 28, 2015 14:37:21 GMT -5 babycaps said:

annarose, panorama isn't amnio. there is no risk to the baby at all as it is only a lab draw on the mom and possible cheek swab.
It looks at fetal DNA in the mother's blood.

I don't think I'll do it. I don't "fit the criteria" so at least in my OB's office, i'm pretty sure I'd be paying entirely OOP and I'd rather spend that money on a vacation before baby arrives!

She was saying that she won't do an amnio afterward even if the results from the panorama suggest something may be wrong.

I'm with her. We are not doing the testing because I don't want the stress of a false positive or even a correct positive to be honest.

My bad! I was reading too fast!!

[winewinebustarhyme]

Thanks for the feedback you guys! I'm gonna do a little more research, I don't really see a reason for it now since we don't have a specific concern/history that we're dealing with. I was really curious if it was being discussed by other OBs as well. Mine is a "lover of science" and she heads up a lot of research regionally.

[grneyes]

Sept 28, 2015 15:24:17 GMT -5 winewinebustarhyme said:

Thanks for the feedback you guys! I'm gonna do a little more research, I don't really see a reason for it now since we don't have a specific concern/history that we're dealing with. I was really curious if it was being discussed by other OBs as well. Mine is a "lover of science" and she heads up a lot of research regionally.

I think most OBs don't recommend the cell free DNA testing if there is no loss history, not AMA, or no family history of concern due to the expense of the test.  I think down the road this testing will replace the older screening since the false positive rate is only around 0.5%, compared to a false positive rate of 9% for someone who is 35, and almost 50% false positive rate for someone in their 40s with the older screening.  I like that your OB is a lover of science though!  Personally, I would want to be extra prepared in case the baby did have a condition that would require special medical care immediately after birth, and just to prepare myself in general for life with an infant/child with special needs.

ETA: stats

[pinotgrigio]

We're doing it but I'm not scheduled until 12w1d for it. I'm AMA plus had DOR (diminished ovarian reserve for those of you lucky enough not to have dealt with infertility issues) so I do worry that this baby won't be genetically normal. My son was born with issues too but they're not genetic... however we went through a lot with him and I have zero desire to repeat it! (we didn't know about his issues until he was born... thankfully everything was fixable, but it took 5 surgeries and possibly more down the road!)

I like being informed. The surprises that came with my son's birth I wouldn't wish on anyone!

[fishbulb]

mushe we're doing NIPT as well. We will also be doing the NTS ultrasound at the same visit. My doctor is very pro science.

[kateisoptimistic]

I'll be having it done, finding out tomorrow which test they offer. I also had no reason to expect an issue, no family history etc but still had a T21 pregnancy the last time. My chances are now increased of this happening again, I would rather know up front so I can prepare myself and make sure that all medical needs will be met upon birth. I'm in the camp of knowledge is power.

[k3am]

We'll do the genetic testing that's available to us. I don't think Panorama or Harmony are an option for us, but NT scan/quad screening are.

[katykatykatykaty]

I'm doing the Verifi test at 10 weeks. I'd rather know what's going on and prepare than be surprised by something after LO is born. I doubt insurance will pay for it since I'm under 35 and don't have a history of family issues, but apparently the most it will cost is $99.

[westiemom]

We plan to do something but I don't know what yet because we don't see the OB for two weeks. We have a history though so I want to be prepared either way.

[ivedonethisb4]

My doctor also suggested the panorama this time around...I just had the quad and nst last time and he said they they prefer the panorama over that now..

I haven't decided on what we'll do this time around..I'm a little torn because last time after the baby was found to have a blockage they thought she might have DS and so we did the materniti21 which is another blood test but we had no intention of doing anything invasive..

This time around I'm just not sure if I want to bother..I'm not yet AMA..and have no history of trisomys in my family...I just don't know if it's worth it.

[walkek85]

My OB does the panorama now too. We did a NTS with DS and I wanted to do that again. I called my OB and got all the billing codes for the NTS to be sure it was fully covered by insurance like it was last time and it is. I called the panorama company and they advised they bill $3,000 for the test. I have yet to call insurance to see what my cost would be but because it is genetic screening I'm pretty sure they won't cover it. Hopefully my OB will still do the NTS. I will find out at my appointment on the 20th.

[kateisoptimistic]

Oct 2, 2015 13:56:43 GMT -5 walkek85 said:

My OB does the panorama now too. We did a NTS with DS and I wanted to do that again. I called my OB and got all the billing codes for the NTS to be sure it was fully covered by insurance like it was last time and it is. I called the panorama company and they advised they bill $3,000 for the test. I have yet to call insurance to see what my cost would be but because it is genetic screening I'm pretty sure they won't cover it. Hopefully my OB will still do the NTS. I will find out at my appointment on the 20th.

I remember that there was a way to get this test for fairly inexpensive if your insurance wouldn't cover it.  I remember it being like $200.  I would talk to you doctor about it and you can also call the company that makes the test directly. There is a number on their website to call for options about how to make this affordable.  They might work with you.