Prenatal Testing

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) screens for the presence of specific chromosome disorders in the developing fetus. The test analyses fragments of DNA in maternal plasma that have been released from both maternal and placental cells.

NIPT requires a single blood draw, which poses no threat to the fetus, and can be done as early as 10 weeks’ gestation. By analysing the proportions of DNA fragments derived from different chromosomes or chromosome regions, NIPT can screen for the presence or absence of specific chromosome disorders.

NIPT is more accurate than first trimester maternal serum screening and ultrasound in identifying pregnancies with or without these disorders.

Harmony tests for the following conditions:

• Trisomies (trisomy 21 – Down syndrome, trisomy 18 – Edwards syndrome and trisomy 13 – Patau syndrome)
• Sex chromosome aneuploidy (Kleinfelter’s and Turners syndromes)

The Harmony test is not currently available on the NHS as a screening tool like this.

Patients therefore opt to have this privately if they wish to have pre-natal genetic testing.

You will be seen by one of our experienced sonographers who will discuss and go through how the test works, following which you will have a pregnancy scan which helps confirm the expected date for delivery.

You will then need to have a blood test which we will send by courier to the laboratory. This will then be analysed for fragments of babies’ blood and be used to perform the genetic testing.

Our doctors will provide you with the results and can go through your options if any abnormalities are identified. We have access to carefully selected specialists if the need arises.

Absolutely. Our patients often visit our clinic with their partners.

Results will be typically received after 7 days and shared with you electronically. Occasionally there could be a delay with the laboratory, so please contact us if you have received your results and we can investigate further.

On very rare occasions (3% of cases), there is not enough foetal DNA in the blood sample to perform the Harmony genetic testing. In this case we will repeat the blood test (at no additional charge) one further time.