0333 600 1300
info@alphabiolabs.com
0 Items
AlphaBiolabs IONA®
Non‑invasive Prenatal Genetic Test (NIPT)
From £435 with FREE blood sample collection
Order Now or Call 0333 600 1300
- Prenatal test to identify genetic conditions in unborn babies
- Test as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy
- Includes FREE blood sample collection by an AlphaBiolabs clinician at a location of your choice, or at one of our walk-in centres
- Detects a range of chromosomal conditions including Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s Syndrome
- Find out your baby’s gender (optional)
- Secure, confidential results
- Only a blood sample required from the mother
- Results in 5 working days
All major debit and credit cards accepted, or…
Pay in 3 interest-free payments using PayPal. Learn more
This is a prenatal genetic test. For our prenatal paternity test, click here
Screen for genetic conditions from 10 weeks into pregnancy
Why order a non-invasive prenatal genetic test (NIPT)?
The AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test (NIPT) uses revolutionary DNA technology to screen unborn babies for certain genetic conditions, from 10 weeks into pregnancy.
With only a blood sample required from the mother, the test is 100% risk-free for mother and baby, and can be used to determine if there is an increased risk of your baby being affected by a chromosomal condition (aneuploidy).
If you are pregnant, knowing the level of risk of your baby having a genetic condition can either give you peace of mind, or provide you with the information you need to make important decisions about your pregnancy.
An aneuploidy is a condition that occurs when the baby has an incorrect number of chromosomes – usually an extra chromosome, or a missing copy of a chromosome.
The most common chromosomal abnormalities are called trisomies, which occur when the baby has an extra chromosome (three rather than two). Some examples of trisomies include Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Patau’s Syndrome (Trisomy 13).
We provide two options for your non-invasive prenatal genetic test:
Standard AlphaBiolabs IONA® NIPT
£435
Screens for three common trisomies: Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Patau’s Syndrome (Trisomy 13)
Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® NIPT
£495
Screens for the three common trisomies included in our Standard test, plus all other autosomal aneuploidies (AAs) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs)
(See the FAQ below: What does the Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test look for?)
Either test can also tell you the sex of your baby. This is included in the cost of your test and is completely optional, meaning we will not share this information unless you have asked us to do so. Simply choose whether you would like this information included in your test results when placing your order.
How does non-invasive prenatal genetic testing (NIPT) work?
Our non-invasive prenatal genetic testing uses next-generation sequencing to analyse foetal DNA and detect chromosomal abnormalities.
All that is required is a blood sample from the mother, which can only be collected when the mother is at least 10 weeks pregnant. At this time, the baby’s DNA can usually be found in the mother’s bloodstream.
This makes NIPT completely safe and risk-free for mother and baby, unlike other invasive forms of prenatal genetic testing (such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis).
Accurate and reliable results in just 5 working days
When is the earliest I can take the non-invasive prenatal genetic test?
Expectant mothers can take the Standard or Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test from as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy (10 weeks gestation).
You must have this confirmed via an ultrasound before your blood sample is collected, to ensure you are at least 10 weeks pregnant.
You will be asked to confirm that you are at least 10 weeks pregnant – along with whether you are having a single or twin pregnancy – when placing your order.
You can choose to have an ultrasound scan via a private provider, or during your routine pregnancy check-ups via the NHS.
How can I get a non-invasive prenatal genetic test?
We’ve done everything we can to make the NIPT process as simple as possible.
- Choose our Standard or Advanced test and place your order online or call our friendly Customer Services team on 0333 600 1300
- Choose your method of sample collection – this is FREE with the cost of your test:
- Arrange an appointment to have your blood sample collected by a professional clinician at one of our nationwide walk-in centres
- Have one of our sample collectors visit you at a convenient time and location of your choice
- Receive your secure, confidential results via email
IMPORTANT: You must be at least 10 weeks pregnant to take this test and will need to have had this confirmed via an ultrasound before your blood sample is collected.
Frequently Asked Questions
A non-invasive prenatal test is a type of genetic test that uses revolutionary DNA technology to analyse a blood sample collected from an expectant mother from 10 weeks into pregnancy, to screen for certain genetic conditions.
The test is used to find out if there is an increased risk of the baby being affected by a chromosomal condition, also known as an aneuploidy.
An aneuploidy is a condition that occurs when the baby has an incorrect number of chromosomes – usually an extra chromosome, or a missing copy of a chromosome.
The most common chromosomal abnormalities are called trisomies. Trisomies occur when the baby has an extra chromosome (three rather than two).
An AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test is 100% risk-free for mother and baby, with only a blood sample required from the mother.
An AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test requires a blood sample to be collected from the mother by an AlphaBiolabs clinician.
The test is 100% risk-free for mother and baby.
You can choose your preferred method of sample collection from the options below, when placing your order. Sample collection is FREE with the cost of your test:
- Arrange an appointment to have your sample collected at one of our nationwide walk-in centres
- Arrange an appointment for a professional AlphaBiolabs sample collector to visit you at an address of your choice
The Standard AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test (NIPT) looks for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in a foetus from 10 weeks into pregnancy.
The most common chromosomal abnormalities are called trisomies. Trisomies occur when the baby has an extra chromosome (three rather than two).
The Standard test looks for three common trisomies:
- Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21) – the most common and least severe
- Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18)
- Patau’s Syndrome (Trisomy 13)
While Edward’s Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome are both extremely rare, they are much more serious than Down’s Syndrome.
Sadly, many babies affected by Edward’s or Patau’s Syndrome do not survive.
The Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test (NIPT) looks for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in a foetus from 10 weeks into pregnancy.
The most common chromosomal abnormalities are called trisomies. Trisomies occur when the baby has an extra chromosome (three rather than two).
Our Advanced test looks for the presence of the three common trisomies covered by our Standard test: Down’s Syndrome (Trisomy 21), Edward’s Syndrome (Trisomy 18) and Patau’s Syndrome (Trisomy 13), plus all other autosomal aneuploidies (AAs) and sex chromosome aneuploidies (SCAs).
An autosomal aneuploidy is a genetic condition caused by having an incorrect number of chromosomes, usually an extra chromosome, or a missing copy of a chromosome.
Sex chromosome aneuploidies are a group of genetic conditions that are caused by having an abnormal number of sex chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes).
The additional AAs and SCAs that our Advanced test looks for include severe chromosomal abnormalities such as Turner Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, XYY Syndrome (Jacob’s Syndrome) and Trisomy X, that can often cause pregnancy loss (miscarriage or stillbirth).
An autosomal aneuploidy is a genetic condition caused by having an incorrect number of chromosomes, usually an extra chromosome, or a missing copy of a chromosome.
Examples of autosomal aneuploidies include Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome.
Sadly, many developing babies with autosomal aneuploidies do not survive, with chromosomal abnormalities being a leading cause of miscarriage and stillbirth.
Sex chromosome aneuploidies are a group of genetic conditions that are caused by having an abnormal number of sex chromosomes (X and Y chromosomes).
Examples of sex chromosome aneuploidies include Turner Syndrome, Klinefelter Syndrome, XYY Syndrome (Jacob’s Syndrome) and Trisomy X.
People with these conditions are often infertile and at an increased risk of developing certain associated health conditions.
Our non-invasive prenatal testing uses next-generation sequencing to analyse foetal DNA and detect chromosomal abnormalities.
All that is required for our non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) is a blood sample from the mother, which can only be collected when the mother is at least 10 weeks pregnant. At this time, the baby’s DNA can usually be found in the mother’s bloodstream.
This makes our tests completely safe and risk-free for mother and baby, unlike other invasive forms of prenatal genetic testing (such as chorionic villus sampling or amniocentesis).
Both the Standard AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test and the Advanced IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test are 100% safe and risk free for mother and baby, with only a blood sample required from the mother.
Both of our non-invasive prenatal genetic tests (NIPTs) are suitable for expectant women who are at least 10 weeks pregnant.
Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you are at least 10 weeks pregnant at the time of taking the test, having previously had this confirmed by a gestational ultrasound.
Our NIPTs are suitable for both single and twin pregnancies, as well as IVF and surrogate pregnancies.
These tests are not suitable for expectant women who:
- Are carrying more than two foetuses
- Have been diagnosed with cancer
- Have received an organ transplant or a heterologous cell transplant in the last 12 months
- Carry a chromosomal imbalance, including a complete or partial monosomy X (fewer than two X chromosomes)
Expectant mothers can take the Standard or Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test from as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy (10 weeks gestation).
It is your responsibility to have gestation confirmed via an ultrasound, to ensure you are at least 10 weeks pregnant before taking the test.
You can choose to have an ultrasound scan carried out via a private provider, or during your routine pregnancy check-ups via the NHS.
You will be asked to confirm that you are at least 10 weeks pregnant – along with whether you are having a single or twin pregnancy – when placing your order.
Traditional screening offered by the NHS is known as the combined test and is typically performed between weeks 11 and 13 of pregnancy.
However, this screening is not offered to everyone, and will usually only be recommended in circumstances where the mother is considered to be at an increased risk of having a baby with one of the three most common chromosomal abnormalities (trisomies) – Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome or Patau’s Syndrome (due to her age, weight or other lifestyle factors).
The NHS combined test includes an ultrasound scan, which is used to measure nuchal translucency – the thickness of tissue at the back of an unborn baby’s neck, which can indicate the risk of certain genetic problems – and a blood test to look at protein markers.
The results of these tests are then used to assess the likelihood of the baby having Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome or Patau’s Syndrome.
If the results show that there is a high risk of the baby having one of these conditions, invasive diagnostic testing will then be offered (amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling), which carries a small risk of miscarriage.
These screening tests are often carried out over a period of several weeks throughout the first and/or second trimesters of pregnancy and can detect around 85% of babies with Down’s Syndrome and 80% of babies with Edward’s or Patau’s Syndrome.
In comparison, an AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test only requires a blood sample from the mother, which can be collected from as early as 10 weeks into pregnancy and is available to anyone – not just expectant mothers who have been designated high risk.
Our non-invasive prenatal tests (NIPTs) can detect 97.2%-100% of trisomies in single and twin pregnancies.
They can also be used to determine the sex of the baby while the mother is still pregnant, something which is not offered by the NHS.
Additionally, the results of our NIPTs are available in only 7 working days, meaning that you will receive your results much faster than if you were to follow the traditional NHS pathway.
Here’s how the NHS screening tests and our non-invasive prenatal tests compare, at a glance.
| Traditional screening tests | AlphaBiolabs IONA® NIPT |
| Multiple procedures over the course of the first and/or second trimester | One-time laboratory test at any time over 10 weeks gestation |
| Combined screening identifies around 85% of babies with Down’s Syndrome and 80% of babies with Edward’s or Patau’s Syndrome | The AlphaBiolabs IONA® NIPT test detects >99.99% of babies with Down’s Syndrome, Edward’s Syndrome and Patau’s Syndrome |
| Reduced performance of screening in twin pregnancies | Equivalent performance of screening in both single and twin pregnancies |
| Results are provided following several tests, which can take some time | Results are provided within 7 working days |
| Can involve invasive methods that can harm the mother and baby and carry an increased chance of miscarriage | Blood test taken from mother’s arm, posing no risk to mother or baby |
| No foetal sex determination available | You have the option to find out your baby’s gender |
If you would like to know the sex of your baby, simply select this option when placing your order for your AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test.
This is completely optional, comes at no extra cost, and we will not share this information unless you have asked us to do so.
A ‘sex determination failure’ may be reported in your results if there is insufficient data to support the sex determination analysis. However, the test results for chromosomal abnormalities will still be just as accurate, even if your baby’s gender could not be determined.
Please note, sex determination is not available for dichorionic twin pregnancies (where there are two placentas present).
When placing your order, you will be given two options for how you would like your blood sample to be collected, both of which are FREE with the cost of your test:
- Arrange an appointment to have your blood sample collected at one of our nationwide walk-in centres
- Arrange an appointment for a professional AlphaBiolabs sample collector to visit you at an address of your choice
Once you have placed your order, our Customer Services team will contact you to arrange your sample collection appointment.
The AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test is a screening test used to assess the likelihood of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality and does not replace your routine NHS scans.
It is extremely important that you attend any ultrasound appointments offered to you, as these are required to monitor your baby’s growth and development throughout pregnancy.
Your secure, confidential results will be available within 5 working days*. This timeframe applies to both our Standard and Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test.
Please note – if your sample needs to be re-tested, it may delay your results. We will not charge you extra for the re-test.
*Following receipt of your samples at the laboratory.
Our non-invasive prenatal testing is over 99.99% accurate based on the samples received at the laboratory.
Furthermore, both our Standard and Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Tests are UKAS ISO 15189 accredited, indicating that these tests meet the requirements for quality and competence as expected from medical laboratories.
The Standard and Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Tests are CE-marked in vitro diagnostic tests from Yourgene Health plc (The IONA® test). Yourgene Health plc is a UK-based molecular diagnostics company working in partnership with AlphaBiolabs.
Your test results will show whether you are at low risk or high risk of your baby having one of more of the chromosomal abnormalities (aneuploidies) for which we have tested, or whether no result was obtained.
The results will also show the sex of your baby if you have asked for this to be included when placing your order.
- If you receive a low-risk result, this means that it is very unlikely that your baby will be affected by the chromosomal conditions for which you were tested.
- If you receive a high-risk result, this means that you are at an increased risk of your baby having a chromosomal condition.
- If you receive no result, this means that there was an insufficient amount of foetal DNA in the mother’s bloodstream, and a result could not be obtained. However, this is extremely rare.
If you receive a ‘high risk’ result, this does not necessarily mean that your baby has a chromosomal condition. However, it does indicate that this is more likely.
On receipt of a high-risk result, further diagnostic testing will be recommended. This is because non-invasive prenatal testing is used for screening purposes only and should not be used as a confirmed diagnosis.
According to national guidelines, women who have been deemed high risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality should have this confirmed via diagnostic testing, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).
This will be discussed with you in detail on receipt of a high-risk result, to ensure that you have all the information required to make an informed decision about your pregnancy.
It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider for further advice and guidance should you receive a high-risk result.
Our Standard AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test is available for £435.
Our Advanced AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test is available for £495.
Both tests come with FREE sample collection at one of our nationwide walk-in centres, or by making an appointment for an AlphaBiolabs sample collector to visit you at an address of your choice.
Simply select which option you would prefer when placing your order, and our Customer Services team will contact you to arrange your sample collection appointment.
It’s easy to order your AlphaBiolabs IONA® Non-invasive Prenatal Genetic Test online now, from £435 with FREE sample collection.
Alternatively, email info@alphabiolabs.com or call Customer Services on 0333 600 1300, and we will be happy to talk you through the next steps for your test.
