I'm not sure of this helps get some perspective, but my third son has Downs. I have since then miscarried twins at 8 weeks, then lost twins after mh waters broke at 14 weeks and they were born at 24 weeks, miscarried a single pregnancy at 8 weeks and am currently pregnant again with baby no.9

We have opted to have no testing at all for Downs, not even screening, although if you have a child with Downs they offer amnio or CVS automatically anyway. There is no way I would risk a baby and I don't feel my son having Downs is a negative at all. In fact, I wasn't that maternal until I had him and he has made me a better mother.

It's a personal decision of course, you should do what is right for you, but having a baby with Downs isn't the end of the world. For me it's certainly better than no baby. The screening isn't very accurate either.

Hi - we were given a 1-50 risk with Lani, with a high nuchal and bloods result - my age (36) also didnt help... We decided agains invasive testing as decided we would progress with the pregnancy regardless of outcome.... we did, however, have a very detailed and reassuring anomally scan at 20 weeks..

Lani was born without any chromosomal problems x

Hiya ladies, thank you all so much for your kind words and support. Went to the hospital on Friday and was told that the nucal fold was ok and it was my blood that put my results high. Have been booked in for an amnio on the 21st and should get the result on xmas eve. Dont no what to do head all over the place. I want to get it done but its the risk of miscarriage thats putting me off. At my hospital they say their percent is 1:200 woman will miscarry. My partner dosent want me to get it done, its the what if the baby is ok and I miscarry thats putting us off and that we would keep the baby no matter the result. He under stands why I want to get it done and will go with my decision. I think I would just worry all the way through the rest of the pregnancy. One min it yes then no, just really cant decide. so hard.
once again thank you so much will be in touch soon. sarahxxx

Hi Sarah, I went through excactly the same as you one minuteI was really sure id do it beacause it was for the best then the next saying no im not I cant take the risk I was booked in to get the amnio done and even turned up to get it done I went into the scan room still thinking im going to do it but when they handed me the form to sign in the scan room to give permission to do it and that it was at my own risk I just crumbled and couldnt go through with it I cried for about half an hour like a crazy women in front of the staff and consultant I never realised to that very second that I was only going to go through with it because my brain and my hubby wanted me too It is an emotional rollercoaster

My advice is to keep the appointment and go even if you change your mind beforehand and if you change your mind in the room then thats your right and the staff in the rah maternity are lovely about it as is the consultant they will talk you all through it again, and only you will know what is best for you when you get there, if you have it done then you will get peace of mind either way and remember it is a very small risk and if you dont like me then you need to just get on with the rest of your pregnancy and try too put it all to the back of your mind
I still sometimes think that I should have done the amnio at the time because now im in the last few weeks its all I can think about but Ill have my answer in 3 1/2 weeks , good luck to you xxxx

It is such a difficult and personal decision. For me, there was no way I could get through the rest of my pregnancy without knowing so I didn't really hesitate (plus I was convinced the baby had down syndrome - he/she doesn't).

I have read that the miscarriage rate is lower than that quoted as that was established as the risk factor before the method of doing it advanced (e.g. using a scan to guide the needle). However, a risk is still a risk, and I appreciate why that causes concern.

As lottie says, there's no harm in going along and seeing how you feel when you're there. If you decide not to do the amnio I expect they'll scan you anyway and give you more information if that shows anything else in terms of markers.

Very best wishes for you, no matter what route you take.

Claire x

Hi,just joined today,i got a letter asking me to go a see doc tom regarding test results for ds. Although still worried and upset i just wanted to say reading your posts has calmed me down so thank you all. I hope everything works out ok. Im going to Southern general now wish i was going to RAH after reading this. Good luck all x

Hi I hope you and your baby are okay babes let us know how you got on x

Lea0610 sorry to hear about your letter. Hope your appointment goes well today, let us know what happens if you need some support.

Sarah, how did it go, did you have the amnio? I have everything crossed for you.

Claire x

Hi was given results of 1/27 and had the amnio there and then as my head was all over the place, i don't get the results until wed due to xmas but i need to know one way or the other. Im a mess at the moment. Thanks for your support.

Hi Got the amnio done, had to. I would just worry. They had to take 2 samples as their was blood in it. Got a phone call on thursday to say they couldn't get the first set of results because of the blood. Having to wait for the full results. should get them round the 4th jan, maybe later because of xmas n new year. Not been thinking about it to much. Had the midwife and heard the heart beat which help. Been doing ok just taking it very easy, had a few cramps nothing major. Will let yous no how thing go. xxx