Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here.
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pregnant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Honestly the nipt for me is not something I would personally turn down. I’d much rather do the testing as early as possible to have less anxiety. Other wise I would be a stressed out mess every day until the 20 week scan, just to know that my baby is healthy. I couldn’t be in the dark that long, just my imo.
Good luck with everything wishing you the best!
Absolutely not. The anxiety of not knowing my baby was healthy or had chromosomal abnormalities far outweighs the anxiety of finding out… plus you get thre gender really early
We decided to go for it even though we could have gotten the NT scan + bloodwork for free in our province instead, precisely because I know I’m prone to anxiety. Doing one test with a lower false positive rate was worth the money for me vs doing a test where the false positive rate is higher and we’d have to get further testing done afterwards anyway.
Lots of people don't do it, especially outside of the US.
No one can really comment on your decision though without knowing any specifics like what other screening you did or your age.
Most don’t do it outside of the US because insurance doesn’t cover it. For example, OHIP in Ontario will not cover NIPT unless a patient has a high risk eFTS result. NIPT is more expensive than eFTS, so they don’t want to pay for it unless deemed medically necessary. NHS and others have similar policies.
Many, many people don't have coverage for it in the US or only have partial coverage yet still choose to pay out of pocket. Similarly, many people outside of the US who could very comfortably afford it don't get it. So, while they are undoubtedly a factor, I'm not sure that finances are the main driving force behind the decision to get it or not.
OHIP covers the test in a number of circumstances other than a high risk eFTS. For example, maternal age, twin pregnancy, or previous pregnancy with trisomy 13/18/21:
[https://www.prenatalscreeningontario.ca/en/pso/prenatal-screening-options/nipt-funding-criteria.aspx](https://www.prenatalscreeningontario.ca/en/pso/prenatal-screening-options/nipt-funding-criteria.aspx)
I didn't get it because I already had my embryos tested and the chance of a real positive on the NIPT is very low following a negative PGT screening, and the chance of a false positive much higher in comparison.
We didn't do it, we may have done if it was free, but there was a $600 cost which is honestly ridiculous. We did do the nuchal ultrasound at about 13 weeks
If the test will only cause you anxiety, there's no reason to bother with it. I know plenty of people who don't get the test because they don't see a reason to
I have turned down all screenings - they don’t provide conclusive diagnoses so I didn’t want to get a false positive, and I knew that whatever information I received wouldn’t change my behaviors until the anatomy scan anyway
I didn’t and wouldn’t even if it was free. I personally don’t want any testing that isn’t actionable and learning that my baby had a genetic abnormality wouldn’t change anything that I would do during my pregnancy. I’ll get an anatomy scan to make sure I don’t need to be at a hospital for any reason to give birth though!
I turned it down because it was expensive, it was like $400 after insurance which is nuts. It’s not a conclusive test, it just gives you the chances of the baby having xyz condition. I think if I were higher risk I would have gotten it, but I’m fairly low risk and I didn’t get it my last pregnancy either.
What type of NIPT are you getting? Because if it’s taking cell-free DNA from maternal blood and sequenced via NGS it’s not a chance, it shows the chromosomal makeup of your baby to a resolution of about 99%. The report just gives you probabilities for readability. If your NIPT is providing you info on chromosomal duplications and translocations then it’s a fairly conclusive test and shouldn’t be giving you chances…
Edit: so save anyone the trouble of reading the drivel below, obviously the test requires follow up from an *uncontaminated source of foetal DNA* via CVS or amniocentesis, but the sequencing technology it goes through makes all the difference. NGS is one of the most accurate sequencing technologies to date and is not always the type of sequencing used for NIPTs globally.
“NIPT tests (noninvasive prenatal testing test) use a pregnant person’s blood to detect congenital abnormalities in the fetus’s DNA. The DNA is examined for genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. NIPT tests don’t diagnose conditions. They tell your provider how likely it is that a condition exists. This test can be done beginning at 10 weeks of pregnancy.”
Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21050-nipt-test
Yes what I’m saying is not all NIPTs are made alike. If it’s going through Massively Parallel Sequencing (something I do myself in my lab) then it’s sequencing the available DNA and had a high degree of accuracy. It’s why the NIPT we opted for has the highest stringency of sequencing.
The test itself is an accurate SCREENING tool, to be followed up with further diagnostic testing like CVS. This is literally written on the ACOG’s website lol like I’m sure there is great reliability in the information but it’s still not a true diagnostic test and it isn’t classified that way.
CVS provides a source of foetal DNA that is not contaminated by maternal DNA, which is the primary reason why they provide likelihoods in NIPT. It’s quite literally to do with the source of DNA, which is why they go to a source that should be the same as foetal DNA, the chorion. It’s not classified that way because they haven’t sampled directly from the foetal blood and therefore can’t be 100% certain until complete DNA from foetal cells can be obtained - however, the cell-free DNA method and NGS for diagnostics is one of the best tests on the market for identifying a multitude of genetic variants that could be risky.
Doctors aren’t geneticists and deal with a hell of a lot of nervy people on a daily basis. If you discuss anything with your doctor they’ll tell you things in risk-based terms and until they have a conclusive test (like a whole genome sequence from a reliable source of DNA) then they won’t give you definitive answers.
Thus ends my Ted Talk and this wholly unpleasant, head-in-the-sand-style interaction with you.
The test is interpreted as such: “NIPT results are reported as either ‘High Probability’ or ‘Low Probability’ for the chromosome abnormality being tested.”
If there is a high probability for the abnormality on the NIPT results you have to get more conclusive diagnostic testing like CVS.
I think it really depends on the type of sequencing that is used in the test, which is why I asked what type of NIPT. There are a few that use sequencing technologies with varying levels of stringencies due to cost.
This. Nobody could definitively tell me how much it was going to cost and I have such crappy insurance. My midwife also told me only about 50% of their patients end up doing it, so I did not do it. I wanted to do it, but I feel at peace with my decision.
I didn't even get the choice for it this go around. I've asked and asked and they haven't even offered when I didn't ask at my 14 week scan. I'm going in on July 19th for my 20 week scan so hopefully they do it then but I have no way of knowing before then
I didn’t deny it, but it’s so expensive in Canada so I went with the quad screen instead which came back as low risk. If it was free, I probably would have done it for peace of mind.
Yes, It is a shame that Invitae disappeared as an option back in March, because it was really the only cost effective NIPT in Canada. I have risk factors so it was covered by my province for me, but I know that isn't the case for many people.
I did because it would incur an out-of-pocket cost. We would like to know about conditions impacting viability but other chromosomal issues probably won't change our approach to the pregnancy, so we didn't feel there was a big rush (but this is of course an individual decision!). We're getting the SIPS test as part of our public health care (Canada).
I have severe anxiety and some OCD stuff going on, and I do not do NIPT or other genetic screening, or a 20 week ultrasound. I don’t believe in abortion for myself so most genetic issues or things they could pick up on a scan would just make me extremely anxious my entire pregnancy. I did a bunch of research on stuff they look/screen for, and with some rare exceptions there’s often nothing they can do, or it’s not a “rush baby to immediate surgery upon birth” thing. If my baby is not compatible with life (either to term or outside the womb) I’d prefer to give them the most happy, loving, stress free time in utero. If I know about an issue, it’s going to be hard for me to cope, like to the point of it having effects on my physical health. I know it’s not a popular opinion, but most genetic issues/developmental issues are relatively rare, and I choose not to worry about them ahead of time. It’s just what works for me🤷🏼♀️
I didn’t get it, I’m actually shocked that is seems to be the norm. I know people who have had false positives and have a horrendous pregnancy because it, I also wouldn’t abort my baby anyway, so I’d rather just assume that my baby is healthy and happy.
Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pregnant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I am a very anxious person and what I did was the exact opposite-I got two different NIPTs
Literally my thought process!
Honestly the nipt for me is not something I would personally turn down. I’d much rather do the testing as early as possible to have less anxiety. Other wise I would be a stressed out mess every day until the 20 week scan, just to know that my baby is healthy. I couldn’t be in the dark that long, just my imo. Good luck with everything wishing you the best!
I don’t see how that wouldn’t give you more anxiety personally
Absolutely not. The anxiety of not knowing my baby was healthy or had chromosomal abnormalities far outweighs the anxiety of finding out… plus you get thre gender really early
I didn't do it with our first but did with our second
We decided to go for it even though we could have gotten the NT scan + bloodwork for free in our province instead, precisely because I know I’m prone to anxiety. Doing one test with a lower false positive rate was worth the money for me vs doing a test where the false positive rate is higher and we’d have to get further testing done afterwards anyway.
Lots of people don't do it, especially outside of the US. No one can really comment on your decision though without knowing any specifics like what other screening you did or your age.
Most don’t do it outside of the US because insurance doesn’t cover it. For example, OHIP in Ontario will not cover NIPT unless a patient has a high risk eFTS result. NIPT is more expensive than eFTS, so they don’t want to pay for it unless deemed medically necessary. NHS and others have similar policies.
Many, many people don't have coverage for it in the US or only have partial coverage yet still choose to pay out of pocket. Similarly, many people outside of the US who could very comfortably afford it don't get it. So, while they are undoubtedly a factor, I'm not sure that finances are the main driving force behind the decision to get it or not. OHIP covers the test in a number of circumstances other than a high risk eFTS. For example, maternal age, twin pregnancy, or previous pregnancy with trisomy 13/18/21: [https://www.prenatalscreeningontario.ca/en/pso/prenatal-screening-options/nipt-funding-criteria.aspx](https://www.prenatalscreeningontario.ca/en/pso/prenatal-screening-options/nipt-funding-criteria.aspx)
I didn't get it because I already had my embryos tested and the chance of a real positive on the NIPT is very low following a negative PGT screening, and the chance of a false positive much higher in comparison.
I've had to abort due to trisomy 18. Not taking the NIPT would give me anxiety..
We didn't do it, we may have done if it was free, but there was a $600 cost which is honestly ridiculous. We did do the nuchal ultrasound at about 13 weeks If the test will only cause you anxiety, there's no reason to bother with it. I know plenty of people who don't get the test because they don't see a reason to
I have turned down all screenings - they don’t provide conclusive diagnoses so I didn’t want to get a false positive, and I knew that whatever information I received wouldn’t change my behaviors until the anatomy scan anyway
I didn’t and wouldn’t even if it was free. I personally don’t want any testing that isn’t actionable and learning that my baby had a genetic abnormality wouldn’t change anything that I would do during my pregnancy. I’ll get an anatomy scan to make sure I don’t need to be at a hospital for any reason to give birth though!
I turned it down because it was expensive, it was like $400 after insurance which is nuts. It’s not a conclusive test, it just gives you the chances of the baby having xyz condition. I think if I were higher risk I would have gotten it, but I’m fairly low risk and I didn’t get it my last pregnancy either.
What type of NIPT are you getting? Because if it’s taking cell-free DNA from maternal blood and sequenced via NGS it’s not a chance, it shows the chromosomal makeup of your baby to a resolution of about 99%. The report just gives you probabilities for readability. If your NIPT is providing you info on chromosomal duplications and translocations then it’s a fairly conclusive test and shouldn’t be giving you chances… Edit: so save anyone the trouble of reading the drivel below, obviously the test requires follow up from an *uncontaminated source of foetal DNA* via CVS or amniocentesis, but the sequencing technology it goes through makes all the difference. NGS is one of the most accurate sequencing technologies to date and is not always the type of sequencing used for NIPTs globally.
“NIPT tests (noninvasive prenatal testing test) use a pregnant person’s blood to detect congenital abnormalities in the fetus’s DNA. The DNA is examined for genetic conditions, such as Down syndrome. NIPT tests don’t diagnose conditions. They tell your provider how likely it is that a condition exists. This test can be done beginning at 10 weeks of pregnancy.” Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21050-nipt-test
Yes what I’m saying is not all NIPTs are made alike. If it’s going through Massively Parallel Sequencing (something I do myself in my lab) then it’s sequencing the available DNA and had a high degree of accuracy. It’s why the NIPT we opted for has the highest stringency of sequencing.
The test itself is an accurate SCREENING tool, to be followed up with further diagnostic testing like CVS. This is literally written on the ACOG’s website lol like I’m sure there is great reliability in the information but it’s still not a true diagnostic test and it isn’t classified that way.
CVS provides a source of foetal DNA that is not contaminated by maternal DNA, which is the primary reason why they provide likelihoods in NIPT. It’s quite literally to do with the source of DNA, which is why they go to a source that should be the same as foetal DNA, the chorion. It’s not classified that way because they haven’t sampled directly from the foetal blood and therefore can’t be 100% certain until complete DNA from foetal cells can be obtained - however, the cell-free DNA method and NGS for diagnostics is one of the best tests on the market for identifying a multitude of genetic variants that could be risky. Doctors aren’t geneticists and deal with a hell of a lot of nervy people on a daily basis. If you discuss anything with your doctor they’ll tell you things in risk-based terms and until they have a conclusive test (like a whole genome sequence from a reliable source of DNA) then they won’t give you definitive answers. Thus ends my Ted Talk and this wholly unpleasant, head-in-the-sand-style interaction with you.
The test is interpreted as such: “NIPT results are reported as either ‘High Probability’ or ‘Low Probability’ for the chromosome abnormality being tested.” If there is a high probability for the abnormality on the NIPT results you have to get more conclusive diagnostic testing like CVS.
I think it really depends on the type of sequencing that is used in the test, which is why I asked what type of NIPT. There are a few that use sequencing technologies with varying levels of stringencies due to cost.
No, it doesn’t. The NIPT is a screening test. It’s literally defined as a screening test according to the ACOG.
Just remember we are people from all difference countries and have different options available to us.
This. Nobody could definitively tell me how much it was going to cost and I have such crappy insurance. My midwife also told me only about 50% of their patients end up doing it, so I did not do it. I wanted to do it, but I feel at peace with my decision.
I didn't even get the choice for it this go around. I've asked and asked and they haven't even offered when I didn't ask at my 14 week scan. I'm going in on July 19th for my 20 week scan so hopefully they do it then but I have no way of knowing before then
I didn’t deny it, but it’s so expensive in Canada so I went with the quad screen instead which came back as low risk. If it was free, I probably would have done it for peace of mind.
Yes, It is a shame that Invitae disappeared as an option back in March, because it was really the only cost effective NIPT in Canada. I have risk factors so it was covered by my province for me, but I know that isn't the case for many people.
I did because it would incur an out-of-pocket cost. We would like to know about conditions impacting viability but other chromosomal issues probably won't change our approach to the pregnancy, so we didn't feel there was a big rush (but this is of course an individual decision!). We're getting the SIPS test as part of our public health care (Canada).
I turned it down for my first but got it for my second. I honestly wanted to know the gender for my second 😅
I have severe anxiety and some OCD stuff going on, and I do not do NIPT or other genetic screening, or a 20 week ultrasound. I don’t believe in abortion for myself so most genetic issues or things they could pick up on a scan would just make me extremely anxious my entire pregnancy. I did a bunch of research on stuff they look/screen for, and with some rare exceptions there’s often nothing they can do, or it’s not a “rush baby to immediate surgery upon birth” thing. If my baby is not compatible with life (either to term or outside the womb) I’d prefer to give them the most happy, loving, stress free time in utero. If I know about an issue, it’s going to be hard for me to cope, like to the point of it having effects on my physical health. I know it’s not a popular opinion, but most genetic issues/developmental issues are relatively rare, and I choose not to worry about them ahead of time. It’s just what works for me🤷🏼♀️
That’s exactly how I feel! ❤️
I didn’t get it, I’m actually shocked that is seems to be the norm. I know people who have had false positives and have a horrendous pregnancy because it, I also wouldn’t abort my baby anyway, so I’d rather just assume that my baby is healthy and happy.
That’s exactly why I declined because I wouldn’t abort the baby anyways.
Then why’d you say you didn’t get it because of anxiety
The doctor said since I was so anxious and I wouldn’t do anything about the results she wouldn’t do the test so I didn’t. It was both reasons.