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Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT) Verifi or Harmony test

Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPT) Verifi or Harmony test

Detect genetic abnormalities by analyzing fetal DNA in the mother's blood

Accurate, reliable and non-invasive genomic testing

This screening test is a non-invasive prenatal genomic test (NIPT). It is available for any pregnant woman interested in knowing the risk of carrying a fetus with trisomy 21 (Down syndrome) or other genetic abnormalities such as trisomy 18 or 13.

HARMONY

From the 10th week

Blood test
Fetal DNA analysis using maternal blood sample

Detects:

  • Main trisomies (21, 18 and 13)
  • Sex of the fetus

Results within 5 to 10 working days

$449

VERIFI

From the 10th week

Blood test
Fetal DNA analysis using maternal blood sample

Detects:

  • Main trisomies (21, 18 and 13)
  • Sex of the fetus

Results within 3 to 5 working days

$429

Most private insurers reimburse all or most of these charges. We recommend that you check with your insurer before beginning the process.

To obtain a medical prescription for the Verifi test, please provide this order form to your doctor. If you wish to know the fetal sex, make sure your doctor selects that option. Once completed and signed by your doctor, the form will serve as the prescription.

Find a Biron service centre near you

Get an appointment soon at a service centre in the following regions:

  • Montreal
  • Laval
  • Montreal North Shore
  • Montreal South Shore
  • Eastern Townships
  • Trois-Rivières
  • Sainte-Foy

A medical prescription is required for these tests. Results are sent to your doctor for interpretation.

Did you know?

Down’s syndrome, or trisomy 21, is generally not hereditary and is caused by the presence of an extra chromosome in the 21st pair. This means that people with Down syndrome have 47 chromosomes in a cell, instead of 46. [1]

Insist on the reliability of a non-invasive prenatal genomic test

Insist on the reliability of a non-invasive prenatal genomic test

Simple, safe and reliable, prescription prenatal testing is available at our Biron service centres.

Why should I consider a non-invasive prenatal screening test?

Non-invasive prenatal screening can reveal very early in a pregnancy whether a baby has a high probability of carrying one of the trisomies detected:

  • Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome)
  • Trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome)
  • Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome)

As of the 9th and 10th weeks of pregnancy, enough fetal DNA is released into the mother’s bloodstream to allow this test to be performed.

When is non-invasive prenatal screening especially important?

Although testing is recommended for all pregnant women interested in knowing their risk of having a baby with genetic abnormalities, certain factors heighten the importance of having a prenatal screening test. For example:

  • You previously carried a baby with trisomy 21, 18 or 13.
  • You will be 40 years of age or older at the time of delivery.
  • You are carrying twins.

If the test results indicate a higher risk, or if there is any doubt, a physician will recommend a diagnostic test, i.e. amniocentesis.

Frequently asked questions

FAQ

How do I prepare for a prenatal screening test?

How does a non-invasive prenatal screening test work?

Is a prenatal screening test possible for a pregnancy with twins?

Is the prenatal screening test reimbursed by the RAMQ?

What does a low-risk result mean?

What does a high-risk result mean?

When should I have an amniocentesis?

Sources1
  1. Regroupement pour la Trisomie 21, « Qu’est-ce que la trisomie 21? », https://trisomie.qc.ca/a-propos/quest-ce-que-la-trisomie-21/