There needs to be enough fetal DNA in the maternal blood to be able to provide a result. If there is insufficient fetal DNA in the sample (occurring in 3% of cases), another blood sample from the mother may be required. This will be processed in the laboratory at no extra charge.
What is the process?
Once you have taken an independent personal decision that you want to have the non-invasive prenatal test performed, you will be asked to sign a consent form and your blood sample can be taken from a vein in your arm.
Who carries out the analysis of the test?
We will send your blood sample along with your personal information (including name, date of birth, gestational age) to The Doctors Laboratory based in London, UK, which has an arrangement with a company called Ariosa Diagnostics Inc, based in San Jose, CA, USA. Ariosa will perform their non-invasive test called Harmony™ Prenatal Test on the DNA extracted from your blood sample.