Hi everyone,
What do you think of NIPT? Is it really necessary and at what week is the best to get that testing done. In Ireland, NIPT is not free and have to pay privately. I am 36 yrs old, 1st time to get pregnant from a donor sperm. I am just wondering does that make me a high risk for fetal anomalies, and should i book for that test even if the doctors didn't mention anything about it. Thank you.
I’m not sure how it works in Ireland but in the UK, if your regular NHS screening suggests you are higher risk (<1 in 150) you’ll be offered NIPT on the NHS anyway. For this reason we decided we would do the NHS screening in the first instance and then do NIPT privately if our result was any higher than <1 in 1000. NIPT is more reliable than the regular screening but either way it’s not diagnostic, it’s predicting a probability and if you look particularly high risk you’ll be offered an amniocentesis.
When offered at 12 weeks, we decided not to do the screening. The 12 weeks screening in UK is not that reliable. You’re tested for a potentiality of risk of Down, Edward’s & Patau syndrome. The two last ones will be picked up on the 20 weeks scan as there is some strong visual abnormalities and the baby wouldn’t last days. Doing such a test means you’re open to the potentiality of having more test (like an amniocentesis with risk of miscarriage), and do a medical interruption of the pregnancy if the baby as issues. We were not ready for this and having the stress and worries of a potential problem when actually everything could turn up fine was pointless for us (And I wouldn’t have been able to cope mentally). We fight long enough to arrive to this stage and feels we would keep our baby even if there’s something wrong, he/she will be perfect. I’m 38 so on paper you could say I have higher risk…but as I say our baby will be perfect as it will be ours.
It’s a difficult choice but it’s yours. Do your research and have a good think. You’ll make the best decision for you.
Hey hun. I’m 39, first pregnancy and decided to do the private NIPT at 10 weeks before even the nhs screening. I only wanted to have peace of mind to enjoy my pregnancy. I think being over 35 on paper puts us in a higher risk category but that doesn’t necessarily mean anything. xx
Ah yes, i never had peace of mind ever since i got the BFP. i am always worrying about things which i know is not healthy, that's why I'm looking for all the possible things that can reassure me that everything is going to be fine... Thanks for the reply, very much appreciated.
Hi there, we chose to have NIPT as the NHS test is significantly less accurate. It is an expensive test but gave us the reassurance of an early scan along with a low risk result. If our baby had a high risk of Downs we would happily continue with the pregnancy but felt we would be mentally prepared for that possibility and be able to plan for that. Everyone is different but this worked for us.x
Yes, that's really what i was thinking. At least we would be mentally and financially prepared for the possibility. We really wnated that kind of assurance. Thank you.
Hi lovely. We had the NIPT at 10.5 and I found it super reassuring. My consultant said I was at a slightly higher risk of chromosomal abnormalities because I'm 37. We also got some lovely scan photos and were able to find out the sex! It's such a personal choice though. xxx
Hi redsequin. Thanks for the reply. It really is a personal choice, my doctor never pushed us to have it but just discussed it with us. Thank you.
We did the same as Redsequin and I found it so reassuring! Xx
Combined screening result higher risk
High risk for DS- combined nhs test 
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