Hiya Ladies,

I am 39 and hopefully all being well, expecting our first in June 2009. My husband is 25 and we the Nuchal scan on 12th December. I am obviously going to be in the high risk catagory.

I just wondered if any of you went on to have the choice of one of the 3 other tests available to get a positive or negative answer for Downs.

Im trying to be positive but I have always gone through life expecting the not so positive out come and then when things are fine Im over the moon LOL!

Im just over 8 weeks now, but Im having an argument in my head about it already,, "What ever the result it wouldnt change your mind anyway would it?" OH and I have talked about it but OH has blinkers on right now.

Any experiances shared would be helpful.
Suzie
xx

I've replied to your other thread, but thought I'd answer this one too ...

I'm 38 and our baby is due in Jan. We were offered the nuchal test when we had the 12 wk scan. We decided to have it. At my age, the risk was automatically put at 1:250. After the scan, the sonographer inputted the nuchal results and the risk was adjusted to 1:350. She told us this was still borderline high risk, and we could have a blood test if we wanted to. We went ahead. Along with the blood test was a questionnaire, asking all sorts of questions - even down to the brand of folic acid I was taking. I was pretty shocked to get a phone call a couple of days later, telling me the blood test results put us at a risk of 1:80 for chromosonal defects.

We were given the option of
1) doing nothing
2) waiting for the anomoly scan to look for soft markers
3) having an amnio

Now obviously, the amnio comes with a small risk of miscarriage. They say it's 1%, but these days the risks are actually much smaller. We chewed it over for a few days, and decided to go for amnio. We thought that knowledge brings power, so even if we were expecting a baby with Downs, we could be prepared for it. Also, and more importantly, the tests check for Edwards Syndrome, which is much more severe.

We had the amnio when we were 14 wks pregnant. The build up, and thought of it was much worse than the actual procedure. Of course, I was terrified for a few days afterwards, in case something would go wrong, but nothing did.

The tests our hospital do with the amniotic fluid are completed in a few days, and give a definitive answer. We got a letter to say our baby has no chromosonal defects at all. Which was such a relief.

Of course, the decision is ultimately yours and OHs. Personally I had to have the test. I wouldn't have been able to get through the rest of the pregnancy wondering 'what if' without driving myself demented. And I figured that if we were going to have a Downs Syndrome baby, I could at least do research, and get as prepared as I could be.

Mrs Amanda

This is very interesting info as I am 38

I have my first scan on Monday and will be interested to see what they say about this. We have decided to have every test we can xx

Good luck, Lilac. Let us know how you get on ...

Thanks Mrs Amanda

I will let you know how it goes, am starting to feel v.nervous

xx

Good luck for Monday Lilac, let us know how you get on.

Hi Suzie

Thanks for your good wishes, I dont know what to do with myself !
I am terrified something will be wrong! I will post tommorrow and let you know how it goes

xx

Try not to worry, Lilac. The first scan is a wonderful experience - my husband cried! Really made the pregnancy feel real.
I'm sure when they've done the nuchal test you'll be reassured, but you might as well take the blood test if they offer it.

Good luck, keep us up to date ....

just a bot of support to you. i hope all goes well. science is amazing ans pretty accurate but i know people whove had healthy babies anyway. but your right about being prepared .downs can be of different degrees. i know someone who leads a great life job girlfriend a happy man however he has the attitdude sometimes of a sixteen year old hes 24. his parents didnt wrap him up and he got exams etc and works for a solicitor. hell always need a watch but understands bills etc only thing about downs is they can be self absorbed(like teens). but he has mild downs.ill be 37 myself when my fourth comes along and theres always a worry but try not to stress yourself and read as much as you can about the chances.only you an oh can decide for your baby but i wish every positive thought there is good to luck to anyone who is worrying.xxxxx