The NIPT test is a blood test taken from you (not the baby) from 10 weeks of pregnancy. It screens for Down’s syndrome, Edwards’ syndrome and Patau’s syndrome and can identify the baby’s sex. It is over 99% accurate for Down’s syndrome and carries no miscarriage risk, unlike amniocentesis or CVS procedures. Private NIPT in the UK costs roughly £350-£900. On the NHS it is offered free only where combined screening (routine NHS screening using a scan and blood test) has already shown a higher chance of the condition.
NIPT is the most accurate screening test available for the common chromosomal conditions, and it can be done earlier than other screening tests. That combination is why most women asking about it have already decided they want it and are really asking three things: when can it be done, how much does it cost and how accurate is it.
This guide answers those questions directly, then covers what happens if a result comes back higher risk.
What is a NIPT test?
NIPT stands for non-invasive prenatal test.
During pregnancy, small fragments of DNA from the placenta circulate in your bloodstream. From around 10 weeks there is enough of it to analyse and a NIPT test measures the proportions of chromosome fragments in a sample of your blood to work out whether the pregnancy is likely to be affected by particular chromosomal conditions.
The word non-invasive is doing important work - NIPT only requires a blood sample from your arm, so there is no needle into the womb and no risk to the pregnancy itself. This is what separates it from amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, which give a definitive answer but carry a small miscarriage risk.
One technical detail that explains a lot about how NIPT behaves: the DNA analysed comes from the placenta rather than the baby directly. Placental and fetal DNA are almost always identical, but occasionally they differ and this accounts for a portion of false positive results.
What does NIPT screen for?
The 3 main trisomies
- Down’s syndrome, trisomy 21. The most common, occurring in roughly 1 in 700 pregnancies
- Edwards’ syndrome, trisomy 18. Around 1 in 5,000 pregnancies and a serious condition with high mortality
- Patau’s syndrome, trisomy 13. Around 1 in 16,000 pregnancies, also serious with high mortality
Sex chromosomes, which are optional
NIPT can also look at the sex chromosomes, which means it can tell whether the baby is a boy or a girl and it can screen for conditions such as Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. This is an optional choice - some parents want to know the sex and some don’t.
Extended panels and whether they are worth it
Some laboratories offer extended panels covering microdeletions such as DiGeorge syndrome, rarer trisomies and triploidy, which cost several hundred pounds more.
The clinical value of these is debated - accuracy for rare conditions is meaningfully lower than for the main trisomies and because the conditions themselves are so uncommon, a positive result is much more likely to be a false alarm than a true finding.
Most women who add an extended panel and get a flagged result end up going through invasive testing and considerable anxiety for a normal outcome. That does not mean nobody should have one - it just means it should be a considered decision with someone who can explain what a positive result would actually mean.
When can you have NIPT?
From 10 weeks of pregnancy. There is no upper limit, but most women have it between 10-14 weeks.
Before 10 weeks there is usually too little placental DNA in your blood for a reliable result, which can produce an inconclusive report and the need for a repeat test - it is one of the more common reasons for a failed sample and it is avoidable by dating the pregnancy accurately first.
In practice this means a scan ideally comes first - a dating scan confirms you are far enough along and, just as importantly, confirms a single viable pregnancy, since twins change how NIPT is interpreted. Our guide to the early pregnancy scan covers what that appointment involves.
How accurate is NIPT?
| Condition | Detection rate (chance of detecting the condition if it is present) |
False positive rate (test gives a positive result but the baby is actually unaffected) |
|---|---|---|
| Down’s syndrome (trisomy 21) | 99% to 99.7% | About 0.1% |
| Edwards’ syndrome (trisomy 18) | 97% to 99% | About 0.1% |
| Patau’s syndrome (trisomy 13) | 87% to 99% | About 0.1% |
| Sex chromosome conditions | 90% to 95% | Variable |
For comparison, the NHS combined test detects around 85-90% of Down’s syndrome cases with a false positive rate near 5%. NIPT is a substantial step up on both counts, and the drop in false positives is arguably the bigger gain because it avoids sending women for invasive testing they did not actually need.
Screening is not diagnosis
A higher-risk NIPT result means the chance is much greater than it was before the test but it does not confirm the condition - it is not diagnostic.
Around 1-2% of higher-risk results are not confirmed when a diagnostic test is done and that proportion is larger for the rarer conditions and larger again in younger women, because the underlying chance was lower to begin with - a lower-risk result is very reassuring, but the residual chance is small rather than zero.
No decision about a pregnancy should be made on a NIPT result alone - a diagnostic test, meaning CVS or amniocentesis, is what confirms it.
How much does NIPT cost in the UK?
| What you are buying | Typical UK private cost |
|---|---|
| Standard NIPT (three trisomies plus sex chromosomes) | £350 to £550 |
| NIPT with extended microdeletion panel | £500 to £900 |
| NIPT combined with a scan | £500 to £800 |
| NIPT in a twin pregnancy | £500 to £700 |
At Ovara Health, a dating or viability ultrasound scan is £300 and a combined consultant consultation with scan in the same visit is £475. NIPT is priced separately and depends on which test you have, so ask for the current figure when you book.
Before you compare prices between clinics, check what each figure actually includes. The things that vary:
- The scan. Some prices include the dating scan, many do not
- Pre-test discussion. With a consultant, with a sonographer, or not at all
- A repeat if the first sample fails. Roughly 1-5% of samples do - some clinics include the retest and some charge again
- Results consultation. Particularly what happens if the result is not what you hoped for
The cheapest headline price is frequently the one that includes the least.
Is NIPT available on the NHS?
Yes, but only for some women. NHS NIPT is offered free where the combined screening test has already returned a higher chance result, usually 1 in 150 or greater, for the 3 main trisomies. It is used as a second-line test that reduces the number of women going on to invasive testing (CVS or amniocentesis).
It is also offered free on the NHS to women who have had a previous pregnancy affected by full (not mosaic) trisomy 21, 13 or 18.
If your combined test comes back lower chance, NIPT is not routinely offered on the NHS and women who want the extra accuracy pay for it privately.
The practical difference is timing as well as access - NHS combined screening happens at 11-14 weeks with NIPT afterwards if indicated, whereas going privately means NIPT is possible from 10 weeks, so a result typically arrives around the point NHS screening is only starting.
NIPT vs other prenatal tests
| Test | When | Type | Risk | Accuracy for Down’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NIPT | From 10 weeks | Screening | None | Over 99% |
| Combined test (NHS) | 11-14 weeks | Screening | None | 85-90% |
| Quadruple test (NHS) | 14-20 weeks | Screening | None | 75 to 80% |
| CVS | 11-14 weeks | Diagnostic | Around 1% miscarriage risk | Definitive |
| Amniocentesis | From 15 weeks | Diagnostic | Around 0.5% miscarriage risk | Definitive |
Note that NIPT does not replace ultrasound - it screens chromosomes and nothing else. Structural problems such as heart defects, spina bifida and limb differences are found on scans, which is why the 12-week scan and the 20-week anomaly scan still matter regardless of a reassuring NIPT result.
A normal NIPT and a normal 12-week scan answer different questions.
What is the Harmony test?
Harmony is a brand of NIPT and not a different kind of test. It is one of several available in the UK, alongside Panorama, NIFTY, Verifi and PrenatalSafe.
All reputable brands offer over 99% detection for Down’s syndrome, so the clinical difference between them is smaller than the marketing suggests. Where they genuinely differ:
- Whether the laboratory is in the UK or overseas, which affects turnaround
- Turnaround time, typically 5-14 days
- Whether extended panels are offered
- How the result is reported and what support comes with it
- Performance in twin pregnancies, which varies more between brands than singleton performance does
- Cost
Ovara Health offers 2 options: Panorama, made by Natera in the United States, and Harmony, run through UK laboratory partners.
What happens on the day
- Pre-test discussion. What the test covers, what it does not, what a higher-risk result would mean and whether you want the sex chromosomes included
- Ultrasound scan. Confirms the pregnancy is past 10 weeks, viable and a singleton
- Blood sample. About 10ml from your arm. No fasting, no preparation, a few minutes
- Laboratory analysis. 5-14 days depending on the brand and the laboratory
- Results. Reported to you and to the consultant
- Results discussion, in person or by phone, with next steps if any are needed
The great majority of results are reassuring and nothing further is required.
What if the result is higher risk?
Remember, higher risk does not necessarily mean a confirmed result. The pathway from here:
- A detailed discussion of what the result means for your specific circumstances, including your age and gestation, since both change how likely the result is to be a true positive
- A detailed ultrasound looking for any structural features associated with the condition
- The option of a diagnostic test, CVS at 11-14 weeks or amniocentesis from 15 weeks, which gives a definitive answer
- Genetic counselling where it would help
If a diagnosis is subsequently confirmed, you should have proper support to consider your options, including continuing the pregnancy with specialist care arranged in advance or ending the pregnancy. Neither decision is straightforward, so it is important to try not to rush it and to seek the right support.
The limitations of NIPT
- It screens, it does not diagnose. Higher-risk results need confirming
- It covers a limited set of conditions. Most accurate for the 3 main trisomies, less so for anything rarer
- It does not detect structural problems. Heart defects and neural tube defects are found on ultrasound
- It does not screen for single-gene conditions such as cystic fibrosis or sickle cell disease. Those need different tests
- Around 1-5% of samples fail, usually because there is too little placental DNA - testing before 10 weeks and a higher BMI both make this more likely
- Performance is reduced in twins and NIPT is generally not recommended in triplets or higher
None of that undermines the test. NIPT remains the most powerful screening tool available for the common chromosomal conditions. It just means knowing what question it is answering.
NIPT itself carries no risk, but if you experience heavy vaginal bleeding, severe one-sided abdominal pain, shoulder tip pain, faintness or collapse, contact your maternity unit or call 999. These can indicate an ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage and need assessing on the day rather than at your next appointment.
Any bleeding in early pregnancy should be reported the same day, even if it settles.
Sources and further reading
- NHS - Screening for Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes
- NHS Genomics Education Programme - Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT)
- Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists - Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling patient information
- Antenatal Results and Choices - Support for parents making decisions after antenatal screening
Our consultant gynaecologists provide private pregnancy care at our Chelsea clinic, including NIPT with a dating scan and consultant review in the same appointment. Most patients are seen within days. Dating scan £300, combined consultation and scan £475. Call for current NIPT pricing.
Major private medical insurers accepted - please contact us to confirm your provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a NIPT test?
A blood test taken from the mother from 10 weeks of pregnancy that screens for the most common chromosomal conditions, including Down’s, Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes. It can also identify the baby’s sex. It carries no risk to the pregnancy.
How much does a NIPT test cost in the UK?
Private NIPT typically costs £350 to £550 for a standard test, rising to £900 with an extended microdeletion panel. Check whether the price includes the dating scan, a repeat if the sample fails and a results consultation.
How accurate is the NIPT test?
Over 99% accurate for Down’s syndrome with a false positive rate of around 0.1%. Detection is 97-99% for Edwards’ syndrome and 87-99% for Patau’s syndrome.
From how many weeks can you have NIPT?
From 10 weeks of pregnancy. Testing earlier often gives an inconclusive result because there is not yet enough placental DNA in the blood sample. Most women have it between 10-14 weeks.
Is NIPT available on the NHS?
Only where the combined screening test has already shown a higher chance result, usually 1 in 150 or greater. Women whose combined test comes back lower chance are not routinely offered NHS NIPT and pay privately if they want it.
Is the Harmony test the same as NIPT?
Harmony is one brand of NIPT. Panorama, NIFTY, Verifi and PrenatalSafe are others. All reputable brands offer over 99% detection for Down’s syndrome, so they differ mainly on turnaround, laboratory location, extended panels and cost.
Does NIPT carry any risk to the baby?
No. It is a blood test taken from your arm only. Unlike CVS and amniocentesis, nothing enters the womb and there is no miscarriage risk.
Can NIPT tell you the sex of the baby?
Yes, by analysing the sex chromosomes from the same blood sample, and more reliably than a 12-week scan can. It is optional, so tell the clinic before the sample is sent if you would rather not know.
How long do NIPT results take?
Usually 5-14 days, depending on the brand and whether the laboratory is in the UK or overseas.
Is NIPT a diagnostic test?
No, it is a screening test. A higher-risk result means the chance is much greater but does not confirm the condition. Confirmation requires CVS or amniocentesis. No decision about a pregnancy should be made on a NIPT result alone.
What happens if my NIPT result is higher risk?
You will be offered a detailed discussion of what the result means for your circumstances, a detailed ultrasound and the option of a diagnostic test to confirm. Genetic counselling is available where it would help. Roughly 1 to 2% of higher-risk results are not confirmed by diagnostic testing.
What does an inconclusive NIPT result mean?
Usually that there was too little placental DNA in the sample, which happens in around 1 to 5% of tests. It is more likely if you tested before 10 weeks or have a higher BMI. A repeat sample a week or two later normally resolves it.
Can you have NIPT with twins?
Yes. Detection for Down’s syndrome stays above 99%, though detection for Edwards’ and Patau’s syndromes is slightly lower and sex chromosome analysis is more limited. The failure rate is a little higher and the cost is usually more. NIPT is generally not recommended for triplets or higher.
Do I still need the 12-week and 20-week scans if I have NIPT?
Yes. NIPT screens chromosomes only. Structural problems such as heart defects and spina bifida are found on ultrasound, so the scans answer questions NIPT cannot.
Is an extended NIPT panel worth paying for?
It depends. Accuracy for rare microdeletions is much lower than for the main trisomies, and because those conditions are so uncommon, a flagged result is more likely to be a false alarm than a true finding. Discuss what a positive result would actually mean before adding one.
By Kerry Archer
Medically reviewed by Miss Beth Cartwright, MBBS MRCOG MD, GMC 6103594, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Ovara Health - September 2026
Book NIPT and a Dating Scan in London
Our consultant gynaecologists provide NIPT alongside a dating scan and consultant review in a single appointment at our Chelsea clinic, so you are not booking three separate visits. Most patients are seen within days. Major private insurance policies are accepted and no GP referral is needed.
