https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 00:53:43 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834913 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 09:41:39 +0000 periwinklebee 2834913@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB old me that because I had a previous loss due to a diagnosed genetic abnormality, insurance would cover it 100% and I should absolutely get it. Even if you would not terminate, additional prenatal care is usually required if there is an abnormality, and since insurance would cover it 100% there wasn't any financial downside. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834875 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 06:40:30 +0000 ElbieKay 2834875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 36 during my first pregnancy in 2013-2014, and I turned 41 during my current pregnancy which is ending tomorrow (!).</p> <p>I was offered the test both times. Waiting for the results always messes with my head, but it is so great to have the peace of mind. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834869 Thu, 19 Jul 2018 03:07:31 +0000 lamariniere 2834869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was offered it and took it with LO1, but it wasn't offered with LO2 (different country). I had just turned 30 and 33 when I gave birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834861 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 22:21:30 +0000 maddyz 2834861@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My midwife went over all the testing options but only asked that I get an anatomy scan at 20 weeks for both pregnancies. 30 and 32 when I gave birth so not AMA. We did get some parental testing done to see if either of us were carriers. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834783 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 16:10:25 +0000 GoGoSnoGirl 2834783@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 40, had had a mc, &amp; we were just about to start working with an RE when I got pregnant with my DD. I had good insurance that covered NIPT, visits w/ MFM &amp; twice weekly non-stress testing for my last 4wks. I'm all about having as much info as possible. Knowing the results of our NIPT testing gave us some relief when we learned about DD having Choroid Plexus Cysts. They resolved before her birth, but had they not, or had we learned about any other issues, we would have wanted to have everything in place to receive a special-needs baby. Information is power, to us. Best of luck to you. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834610 Wed, 18 Jul 2018 05:39:16 +0000 dc yoga bee 2834610@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I was 27 and low risk and did not get it but it was offered. We had infertility again and a miscarriage in April. I’ll be 31 almost 32 when I deliver. I plan to get it this time. My sil is 27 and she got it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834542 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 13:17:14 +0000 mdf106 2834542@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: My OB gave us a laundry list of a bunch of optional tests, including the nt scan and NIPT. There were a bunch of other options, including genetic testing on the parents and some vitamin levels. The nt scan would have required a visit to an MFM doctor (all other scans were performed in office). NIPT was an option with my last pregnancy (2015/16, but not with my first in 2013).</p> <p>With my high deductible plan, being covered only helps me if it the year I will deliver or otherwise incur a lot of medical expenses. My last pregnancy, I paid the full cost of all blood work and ultrasounds in the year before I gave birth. I did not do any of the optional tests for either of my pregnancies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834541 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 13:14:53 +0000 lioneyes 2834541@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>4 years ago when I was pregnant with DS and not AMA, I specifically requested NIPT and my doctor readily agreed. She said that the ACOG had just come out saying everyone should get it regardless of age, so she wrote a letter to insurance for me, they still didn't cover it (but the testing company gave me a reduced rate.) This time, I am AMA and insurance covered it. Both pregnancies, at my doctor's reco because I was having the NIPT, I skipped the NT scan at 13 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834532 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:36:31 +0000 Sams Mom 2834532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: interesting. I have noticed that "standard" isn't really standard on here. </p> <p>I'm a natural worrier, and my son had a large choroid plexus cyst and I was polyhydraminos by a lot and a handful of other problems; so I got a BPP-non stress ultrasound every week for the last 10 weeks of my pregnancy constantly playing the do I get to stay pregnant this week game. </p> <p>Everything turned out ok, but now I worry I will have all the problems again, and I'm torn on if I want to know everything early when I can't do anything about it or roll with the punches again. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834531 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:31:19 +0000 bhbee 2834531@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I’ve always thought of the NT as pretty standard regardless of age and the NIPT is just now replacing it. I don’t know more broadly, but I had some pregnant colleagues before NIPT days who were over 35 who were told to just have the amnio at that age and probably didn’t have an NT. </p> <p>But one thing I’ve learned from posts on here is that there really is no standard for most of this stuff (even if there is an ACOG recommendation) and different practices do what they want. Then the second layer is what insurance will cover ... NT was not expensive and became an easy standard, NIPT the companies that do the testing are working on it but it’s more expensive and that change takes time anyway. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834524 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:19:34 +0000 Sams Mom 2834524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bhbee: I didn't have an NT scan either. Is it also optional or standard at a certain age from your experience? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834519 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:04:02 +0000 bhbee 2834519@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do think it’s offered more commonly now. My first it was just coming up, so I had the NT. My second (born 2015) they suggested NT because I was still under 35 and insurance wouldn’t cover. We ended up having a soft marker at the anatomy scan so they offered testing and dh preferred to do it (I didn’t really think it necessary but was ok with it for his peace of mind). I had materniti21, not covered but paid the cash price of like $250 or something. This time I was over 35 and just had a rare trisomy loss, so it was definitely “covered”, which is to say my insurance counted it toward my deductible. I had panorama, the negotiated rate with insurance was around $700-800 and I was able to push them for a cash price around $350 (and others have gotten more/less since it’s not a published rate and depends who you talk to). This time I was glad to do it because of my age and the loss. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834517 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:33:24 +0000 LAZB 2834517@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always get it, I like knowing as much as possible as early as possible (as you can tell lol) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834514 Tue, 17 Jul 2018 11:17:25 +0000 mediagirl 2834514@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was not 35+ when I had my first and it was not offered to me, that I remember. This pregnancy I am 40+ and I asked for it before being offered. My insurance (which is el-stinko) actually covered it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834335 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 17:07:18 +0000 lilyofthewest 2834335@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>ACOG put out a position statement in 2016 that said it should be offered to all pregnant people. I think that’s really upped provider acceptance and patient accessibility. Insurance coverage is usually great if you’re AMA or have a history of aneuploidies; more hit/miss if you’re younger and no bad history. </p> <p>I did not get it with my first pregnancy in 2014/2015 (when I was 32) and my insurance explicitly did not cover any of it. I did get it with this current pregnancy (now 36 and with 4 losses under my belt). This time insurance covered all but $60. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834323 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 16:03:49 +0000 Sams Mom 2834323@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@yellowbeach: I went down the google hole, the only one that can distinguish between twins and also tell if they're identical or fraternal and genders is the Panorama. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834292 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:05:48 +0000 KT326 2834292@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was pregnant in 2012 and in 2016. I declined it both times. I was 28 (almost 29) when my first was born. </p> <p>During the anatomy scan for my second, they did find something that could be a marker for down syndrome but after talking it over with my husband we decided not to do further testing as the odds of the baby having it were still pretty low and it wouldn't have changed the outcome (we would not terminate). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834286 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:50:49 +0000 yellowbeach 2834286@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Did it both of my pregnancies (ages 38 and 40), and as you know the 2nd time changed our plan due to T21. Our first NIPT came back totally normal. </p> <p>I *think* the NIPT isn't great for twins because if it detects abnormal cells, that could be from one or both babies. It also clouds the gender picture with twins. Not that versed on this though as I never had twins, but remember it mentioned at some point. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834276 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:38:08 +0000 littleblessings 2834276@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got it and I’m glad I did. We lost my nephew to Trisomy 18 on May 15, 2017. The mother didn’t do any testing or ultrasounds and nobody know he had anything until he was born. My office won’t do it unless you have a history of stuff like that or you’re older. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834259 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:21:03 +0000 skinnycow 2834259@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got did it with my daughter mainly for peace of mind even though I was 25 and low risk. Finding out the sex was also an added bonus.</p> <p>I will definitely do it with my next pregnancy as well. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834256 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:19:24 +0000 crazydoglady 2834256@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My OB didn't recommend any testing at all aside from the NT measurement and said that the AFP was elective. I was never offered the NIPT and am not sure how it compares to the AFP. We declined the AFP and just waited for the anatomy scan with both LOs. I guess my OB office just doesn't do a lot of testing. FWIW, I got pregnant with my first at 31 and my second at 33. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834247 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 14:03:41 +0000 josina 2834247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was offered with both pregnancies and declined, and most (or all?) of my mom-friends did the same.<br /> My OB didn't push it at all and I think that was a common answer for her.<br /> If I have another pregnancy, I may opt for the testing since I'd be close to 35. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834235 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:32:37 +0000 snowjewelz 2834235@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I only got it with my 2nd pregnancy b/c I changed OB and I couldn't explain to her that I had some kind of blood condition but it's not a big deal and she was like ummm ok let's do some tests haha. I was 31 and didn't have any other risks. I was happy that I was able to find out gender early, but otherwise probably could have done without. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834232 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:23:52 +0000 pachamama 2834232@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe a lot of us are older too now here on HB? The same tests were available me back in 2015. I was told by my 2 fertility clinics my eggs are "like a 44 year olds" so I felt really compelled to check on things. I even got Panorama which I'm not sure insurance will pay for. I'm sure a ton of it is a money maker for these companies. Natera even offers a miscarriage screening/risk test!! Wtf!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834231 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:14:58 +0000 Mrsbells 2834231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: my 1st pregnancy was in 2012 and it was common even then. What is newer is being able find out the gender from the bloodwork. That wasn't am option back in 2012, atleast I had never heard of it. But I believe the extent to which they discuss it with you also depends on your insurance and whether its fully covered or an additional cost to you.<br /> I have done it all three times, since it is non invasive and they drawing lots of blood anyway I do it each time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834229 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:02:55 +0000 Silva 2834229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sams Mom: I mean, I think its always good to think about/discuss with your partner what you'd do with the information, but thats the case with basically all prenatal testing.<br /> Just remembered my SIL wasn't offered the test, she uses a different office and is 26, I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834228 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 13:00:56 +0000 Sams Mom 2834228@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Silva: I was 26 when I got pregnant, and I was low risk; so that is probably why my doctor didn't really push it. Now that I had complications in my 2nd &amp; 3rd trimester I get the permanent "high risk" note on future pregnancies. </p> <p>We were team green on my son, so even finding out the gender early wasn't that big of a deal. This time around I'll be 30 at the youngest when I deliver, and am at the point of interventions (Clomid only so far), that could raise my chance of multiples. I think if I found out I had multiples on the way, I would definitely do the NIPT just for the sake of being able to prepare as much as possible for more than one baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834227 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 12:55:22 +0000 Silva 2834227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Its pretty standard at the office I use, and it was during my last pregnancy as well (would have had the test done about 2.5 years ago). It was not standard 6 years ago for my first pregnancy.</p> <p>I am in the "give me all the information" camp, so I really appreciated having the information early, and with reasonable certainty. I have been low risk for everything they screen with both of my pregnancies, and the tests didn't show anything concerning. </p> <p>We did not find out the sex of the baby with my last pregnancy, but we decided to find out this time with the NIPT test and it was actually kind of nice to find out that early. I felt like garbage in the first trimester and that was a really exciting bit of information to get- brightened my spirits for a whole afternoon, which says a lot given how crappy I was feeling.</p> <p>Cost varies- and although the insurance company I have said they didn't cover it unless I was over 35, through some negotiations on the part of the testing company they have covered in nearly in full both times. I have no idea how any of that works- I know sometimes people have to call the company to negotiate the price down, but I haven't had to. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/nipt-testing#post-2834226 Mon, 16 Jul 2018 12:48:28 +0000 Sams Mom 2834226@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>So I have noticed almost everyone talks about getting NIPT testing. When I was pregnant 2-3 years ago I think my doctor offered it, but I turned down screening because I didn't think it was a big deal. </p> <p>Has it become more standard since I got pregnant August 2015, or was it standard then and I just didn't know anything? (Which I can totally accept that I just didn't know) </p>