Quad test

Turtlehart

What are your thoughts?
Our OB offered up lots of tests since my wife is almost 36. She mentioned the Harmony test, the Quad test, and an ultrasound at 20 weeks with a specialist vs. them. I talked to our former RE, and the Quad test was the one they would lean towards.
A couple of friends at work seemed horrified when I mentioned it. They said they would not do it.
I know it's a simple blood test, but that it may create unnecessary fears, so now I am reluctant after being totally fine about it last week.
We really trust our former RE, that is why we sought out their advice on it, but again, now I question it.
Just looking for your opinions...

RedHeather

I didn't do the quad screen -- just did MaterniT21. My insurance didn't cover either, and I felt that the additional info from the quad test wasn't worth the cost.

ruedeodeon

I wouldn't do any of those tests unless you have a bad feeling about something. Chances are the baby is perfectly fine. Im 30 and they suggested the tests to me and I said no way.

2texasmoms

All we ever did was the NT screen (blood test and ultrasound) around 13 weeks. I have talked to a lot of moms who say, especially if it doesn't change what you would do if there is some sort of problem, that there's no point in worrying over something that may likely be a false positive. It all depends on how much information you like to have, I think. I am 34 and I worried a lot even before all the testing happened, but I wanted to know either way, so I definitely wanted the tests. If the results aren't something that changes your approach to the pregnancy, I wouldn't worry about it unless you, like me, are the type who likes having as much information as possible.

That was really rambling. I hope it made some sense!

ljimpey86

I did the NT scan at 13 weeks as well. Either way it wouldn't change how I felt about my baby, but I thought it would be nice to have lots of time to prepare mentally, financially etc if there was something that we needed to know about. I'm only 30 though, so all the other tests weren't offered to me.

kelleymel

We did the Harmony test. My wife was 35, so it was free. More information is better than no information, so we had it done at 12 weeks. The bonus was we found out we were having a girl at 12 weeks. The test didn't have any false positives, but even if it did, I don't understand why someone wouldn't want to know well in advance. They can repeat it and do another test if it comes back positive, and if there was a real abnormality found, then you would have additional time to find resources to help you along the way. Not knowing until birth isn't going to make an abnormality go away.

RedHeather

I just re-read the OP, and it sounds like you were considering the quad screen instead of Harmony (which is similar to MaterniT21), whereas I was thinking you meant in addition. Personally, I would go with Harmony because the results are more specific. It doesn't test for indicators or neural tube defects, which the quad screen does include, so that would be the only potential advantage of the quad screen -- but there is a very high rate of "false positives" (which aren't actually positives because the test doesn't give results in a positive/negative format, but patients tend to interpret higher-than-expected risk as a positive). Another advantage with Harmony is that you can potentially find out the sex of the baby. One thing I have heard on another forum is that Harmony results can come back as invalid if you get it done too early, so if you decide to go with that test, wait until the later end of the time range they recommend.

diane&tammy

We did the Harmony and NT scan because we wanted to know if there would be any potential problems. We would never have terminated the pregnancy if the results were bad but just knowing what to expect was a relief. Also the way the Dr explained to us about it not really being a matter of termination or not based on the results was a great reason to do it. She said if something were to be wrong then they could have the appropriate medical team ready for the baby at delivery. I was told that the NT scan coupled with the Harmony test gives 99% accuracy and that the NT alone is 95%. I was told because of my age, 36 that I had like a 1 in 300 something chance of genetic issues but the tests came back at 1 in 10,000 so it was definitely worth it for us just for the peace of mind with the added bonus of course of finding out the gender! Lol

blkbrd3

I was 39 while pregnant. I was required by the MFM practice to meet with a geneticist to review the pros and cons of testing as well as those related to specific tests. I chose to avoid the quad test at all costs because, if my memory serves me correctly, I had a greater than 50% chance of receiving a false positive for potential problem just based on how my age shapes the test results. After receiving a positive quad the next steps for me would be a follow up CVS or amniocenteses.

I chose to forgo the blood tests and go straight to a CVS because it could provide almost the same assurances as an amnio. but could be performed much sooner. The results took a little over two weeks to come in and everything was fine.

Turtlehart

Thank you all! It's a lot to consider. I was under the impression that the quad test had less false positives and could also tell gender...I definitely need to study more. The results would not change the outcome, but like many of you said, it would give us advanced information for preparedness.
I appreciate everyone's responses!

old mama

I am much older than you but I refuse anything but ultrasounds. I don't need the stress and there is no way I would terminate for any reason...but I respect anyone's different opinion about their pregnancy.

ahk00

Having a special needs child, not biological, I will be doing the testing for no other reason than to be as best prepared as I can.

Turtlehart

So we ended up doing just the Harmony test. The doctor recommended that one, and after reading all of your responses, it seemed the most logical. We weren't able to do the NT scan. Mostly because we didn't decide in time, and the specialist can't see us before the 14 week mark which is next Tuesday.
Anyone know how long it'll be for results?

RedHeather

For my MaterniT21 they told me 7-10 days, but it ended up being two full weeks. I finally called the OB office and they said the results were there but the doctor hadn't read them yet, then a little later that same day they called and gave me the results. I kinda got the impression that the results were sitting in an inbox for days, so if you don't hear anything after a week or so, it might be worth calling to check.

kelleymel

Our Harmony test took about 2 weeks to come back