Genetic testing.

[cbrandt1]

We discussed genetic testing a bit at my last appointment, but because of my age, my mw said it wasn't necessary.

What I forgot to mention was that my mother's first baby had anencephaly. I was going to call tomorrow to see if that was one of the predictable disabilities of the genetic test. I don't even know what the test is called to do my own research, so I thought I'd ask you ladies and see if you knew.

Are you having it done? Do you think you would get it done based on your mother's pregnancy history?

We did not do it with DS because I had a home birth mw at the beginning (we switched to a hospital mw later on) and she was very anti EVERYTHING!

[cbrandt1]

I want to add, that results would only allow us to prepare for life with a child with a disability. We would never terminate a pregnancy.

[thekatezombie]

I know Materniti21 is one of the tests out there. There are others, but maybe that's a jumping off point if you want to research and see if anencephaly is detectable?

I wasn't offered this sort of test this time or last time. I'm generally considered low risk, and my insurance isn't likely to cover it. I was offered the NT scan and the accompanying blood test, but haven't decided whether I'll do it. I didn't last time.

[mrsjene]

H and I chose to do genetic testing as part of IVF. It was not covered by insurance. We made the decision to do it because we did not want to transfer an embryo that would not be able to thrive and ultimately result in a loss. Sooooo....totally different situation.

[WineNChocolate]

We did it with our last. It was covered by insurance. I will do it for the next as well.

[PSUchica]

I would like to have testing done since I'll be 35 at the end of this year. It's not covered by insurance, but I spoke with one of the companies that offers the panorama test and they said they wouldn't charge more than $200 for out of network, not covered by insurance. I plan to ask my doctor about it at my next appointment on the 17th...hopefully he's on board.

[serendipity731]

I'm not familiar with the tests so I can't help there, but if there was history in my family I would do it to be prepared as well. I will have the NT scan for the same reason. Plus I love seeing baby in utero.

[ashleysparkle720]

We won't be doing any testing this time around because last time we got false positives and it added so much anxiety for us.

[sodapop]

We are only doing the NT scan. I think the blood work tests are only covered here after 40. I'm 39, so I'll ask, but i don't think it's covered by the province. I think we could pay for it, it's like $900.

[Deleted]

Feb 7, 2016 17:27:10 GMT -5 sodapop said:

We are only doing the NT scan. I think the blood work tests are only covered here after 40. I'm 39, so I'll ask, but i don't think it's covered by the province. I think we could pay for it, it's like $900.

There are private companies who offer tests, they range in price from 150-900 ish.

[merryrissmas]

We declined genetic testing with our previous 2 children as I was generally considered low risk, but I am definitely planning to do it this time as I'm now AMA and this will be our last pregnancy, and I am just extra anxious this time. Good luck with whatever you decide!

[zengal]

We didn't have any tests at all done before, but I'm doing it this time, also because I'm more anxious. I just need to figure out which test(s)-

[LadyNymeria]

My office hasn't mentioned any testing to me so far although I imagine the topic could come up at my medical/family history appointment Friday.

I have already elected to do the NT scan and related bloodwork. Mainly because without the NT scan I wouldn't get another u/s (first one was only due to a previous loss) until the anatomy scan.

[kris24824]

We did the NT scan with our first just to get an extra ultrasound.

We are doing the blood test this time around because I'll be 35 this year, and we can find out the sex early.

There are a bunch of different blood tests out there, I'm not sure which one my hospital uses, they just call it NIPT and don't use a brand name. I've heard of Harmony, Panorama, Maternit21, and verifi.

[pismoduo]

H and I decided we're probably not going to do it unless my OB sees some risk factor that might call for it.

Though it would be really fun to know the sex early, my insurance won't cover it unless there's a specific risk factor, and I'm a cheap ass about stuff.

[karabear4409]

We will definitely do the NT scan with the MFM. We will only do the free cell testing if the doctor recommends it. He didn't with my DS, so I don't expect him to recommend it.

I did look in to the maternity.21 test with DS though. It would have cost us $200 OOP.

[lpj]

We are just doing the NT scan and routine bloods. If the NT Scan throws up any concerning results we will have the NIPT (Harmony). Last time I had booked in for the NT scan AND the NIPT but after our NT Scan results were very unconcerning the genetic counsellor advised us to skip the NIPT. It would have been around $500 out of pocket to have it.

[briannea]

We had genetic counseling and they recommended the harmony test which my insurance covered, maybe due to AMA. So we found out the gender early but the results were less conclusive than the NT scan. If they offer it again (since I'm even more geriatric now) I'll say yes.

[humorme00]

I just had blood work done for the Verifi test. I'm not sure any of the NIPTs can give a clear answer on neural tube defects though. I won't get in to see my OB until just before 12 weeks, but he's reassured me that they'll get me in for an NT scan in time. The increased risk of neural tube issues has me a bit worried.

[cbowl]

I'm definitely going to do a NT scan. Then we'll go from there. One of my losses was due to a chromosomal abnormality which makes me a candidate for the blood test as well so I haven't quite decided.

[bean]

We will do the NT scan. Regardless of your feelings on terminating or not, I think it's better to be prepared. Also, they can detect certain issues and be aware that they need closer monitoring throughout the pregnancy.

[PSUchica]

Feb 11, 2016 16:18:30 GMT -5 theophania said:

I did the panorama today. I am not doing the NT scan.

This is what I want to do. Did your doctor recommend or did you have to convince him/her?

[bennikki]

I've had the quad screen done with my two, but other than that, I haven't had anything done besides the 20 week anatomy scan. I hate ultrasounds (I know I'm one of the few), so the fewer of those the better for me. While I struggled to get pregnant with my first, I had no risk factors for abnormal pregnancy, and I still don't. Both of my quad screens were "negative" (meaning, not actually negative, but showed no increased risk of birth defects), but if they showed any sort of risk, we'd re-assess further testing.

[kris24824]

Kaiser is having me do a webinar (tomorrow!) before I can pick up my kit for the NIHP/panorama/harmony/verifi/etc test (I don't know which they use). Did anyone else have to do this? They said after I complete the webinar, I can get the test kit in 1-2 days and then take it somewhere (no info has been provided yet) for the blood draw. Then I wait for the results, which online say could be 1-2 weeks. Anyone else experience this too?

[singingsea]

I got my harmony results back! Most importantly baby is healthy We also found out we're team blue again!

[LadyNymeria]

Feb 17, 2016 22:03:30 GMT -5 singingsea said:

I got my harmony results back! Most importantly baby is healthy We also found out we're team blue again!

Yay for good results and congrats on the boy!! How exciting!

[fem]

Congrats singingsea! That's so exciting

[singingsea]

Thanks guys! I'm so excited!

[cassey910]

Congrats singingsea so exciting!
We are not doing any extra testing. We didn't with DS and I feel like I would have less anxiety not doing it. I might if we have another because then I will more than likely be 35 or older.

[f14mama]

Congrats singingsea! I did the NIPT blood draw Monday, have no idea what type. Will do the NT scan in 2 weeks.

In general, I'm just the type of person that wants to do everything available. That being said, I have also not dealt with the anxiety a false positive could produce. I think this is just personal preference and what will give you the best pregnancy.