Nuchal blood test 1 in 70 chance of downs :(

[clairew4]

Hi. I'm back from the hospital, the amnio was ok, done quickly, it wasnt as bad as i expected, I was more worried at having the scan but it was lovely to see baby, even got a pic & my o/h got to see baby properly for the first time. I'm cramping a bit at the moment but that's nothing new, I've had tummy pain/probs during this pregnancy anyway so I'm used to a bit of pain! I will get results in 2/3 weeks time if all ok (fx) could have opted for rapid test but wanted to get fully tested for everything.

 

[Hope39]

So glad it went smoothly for you Claire, my mum had an amnio when she was pregnant with my brother and i remember how terrifying it was for her

For anyone else reading this thread because they have been given a low ratio, i am not sure if any of you are aware but Professor Nikolaides of the Fetal Medicine Centre has developed a blood test that picks up the trisomy disorders so that patients do not have to have a cvs or an amnio! Well in some instances they will still advise a CVS

They have started this today, if you go before you are 11 weeks then they will scan you to check the pregnancy is viable, take your blood, you return in two weeks for Nuchal Scan and the results of the blood test (Harmony Prenatal Test) and it costs £180.00 for both scans and blood test

If you go after you are 11 weeks then unfortunately the cost is £580.00

This test has been in America for a while but now in the UK, NHS should be using it within about 5 years

Sorry to jump on this thread but wanted to make as many people aware about it as possible

Thanks

 

[clairew4]

Hi Ladies It's been 3 weeks since having the amnio and I'm so glad the wait is over, I have finally received results via post & got the all clear also found out my little peanut is a girl! I am due to have my 20 weeks scan next tuesday, one week to go & then I can tell the rest of my family & friends the news that I'm having a baby, kept this big secret for too long.

 

[drsquid]

congrats. as much as it is scary to get an amnio the nice thing is you get a REAL answer. you know the baby is fine, not low risk. NORMAL =)

 

[Lady H]

Thanks for sharing. I got a risk on 1/65 today due purely to low PAPP- A and have opted for amino on 26th November.

 

[clairew4]

Thanks for sharing. I got a risk on 1/65 today due purely to low PAPP- A and have opted for amino on 26th November.

Hi LadyH, I'm really sorry you have to go through this, the procedure isn't that bad its the waiting in between that's the worse. I've noticed you're in bucks too, whereabouts? If you need to chat or ask questions, you can pm me. I wish you all the best for the 26th Nov. Take care x

 

[Lady H]

Thanks Claire, I'm near Amersham. Was your Amnio at Stoke Mandeville? I've not heard if they are good or not, just hoping! Thanks so much for the offer xxxx

 

[clairew4]

Thanks Claire, I'm near Amersham. Was your Amnio at Stoke Mandeville? I've not heard if they are good or not, just hoping! Thanks so much for the offer xxxx

Hi, sorry late responding . Yes I had amnio at stoke mandeville Dr Reddy did it & she was very good. How are you? Have you had results yet? Hope everything ok. Take care xxx

 

[Physiomom]

So happy to hear about your amnio results. That's wonderful news.
I am "waiting it out". I'm 30 weeks now...will know soon!
Take care

 

[Lady H]

Claire I had Miss Reddy too. She was great. It was such an easy procedure too. I paid to get the Edwards, Downs and Patau results in 2 days and they were all clear! Yay! Still waiting on th full Karyotype.

Good luck Physiomom fx all fine for you xx

 

[speedbump]

Guys. I have been on here for zonks and never replied. I have to reply now.

The possibility that your child will have DS is horrifying. I know. I was given 1:119 odds that our son would be born with T21. Down Syndrome. I was scared to death by doctors who made it sound like a fate worse than death.

My son was born last February with T21. We were that 1. We were torn apart.

But.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with him at ten months of age aside from the fact that he has slight muscle weakness in his upper body. He is eating solids. He is babbling. He is laughing and smiling. He has few physical 'symptoms'. He was born with two small holes in his heart which have healed. He is NOT unhealthy. We did not have an amnio before he was born.

If we had an amnio before he was born we most likely would not have him. He is perfect. We were afraid. We are no longer afraid.

I cannot impress upon you enough how much it saddens me that the medical field scares the crap out of people making you think the world will end if you have a child born with this condition.

I am not cheerleading. Our. Son. Is. Fine.

Do not be afraid. I was. My pregnancy was miserable. The experience I had during my pregnancy was the worst thing that has ever happened to me. I now hate doctors. I now adore our son.

And I am not afraid. Please do not be afraid.

Guys.

I am pro choice. If we knew our son had T21, AT THE TIME, we probably would have mad a drastic terrible decision. We did not. Thank you whatever higher power there is.

Know this. There are so so so many people who want to adopt babies with T21. Your child may have the marker and turn out like mine. If my pregnancy was terminated because of fear we would not have the greatest gift in the world. Healthy. Interactive. Curious. Clever. Only slightly behind his peers at 10 months but still well within normal range of development. Did you know this could be possible? I didn't. We didn't. Those doctors don't talk about it. Those doctors only want perfect babies.

You know what? Ours is.

Get in touch, I will tell you our story. Read my blog I will tell you our story dirtywaterpool at blogspot uk. Don't give up. Stay strong. Love your baby. Take it all as it comes. Please.

Please.

 

[everthingX]

You sound a very proud Mummy which is wonderful to hear.

I am in the same situ 1/110 - how were your scans - Did they pick up any markers? x

 

[speedbump]

Couldn't be prouder everthingX. Every day is a new joy with our son and I wouldn't trade him for the world.

Markers, yes. They seemed to thrive on telling me bad news which after enduring for nine months felt like nitpicking on every little thing and made me completely insane.

Our odds were 1:118 age alone (39 at conception, 40 at delivery) and the bloods and nuchal fold (2.8 IIRC) put us at 1:119. I was also impaired glucose tolerant prior to getting pregnant and they kept labeling me type 2 diabetic from the get so I was treated for GD since week 14. They tried to put me on metformin after a week of trying to control by diet. I resisted and ended up going three more months without any medication.

Our 20 week anomaly scan showed 7.1 nuchal fold and echogenic focus on the heart, most common location left side. So again pressured us to do amnio. We said we would be keeping this child even if he were only able to live five minutes so no point in taking that risk. They knew pretty accurately what a small percentage of amnios resulted in the loss of the fetus but didn't seem to have any figures as to how many false positives there are, which is probably of far greater concern to folks experiencing these frightening types of pregnancies. I found that pretty relevant.

Anyway, the focus got us sent us for detailed echo at Kings College Hospital which came out entirely clear. The holes he was born with were just too small to detect, and had zero effect on his health. One was a PFO which usually closes when the baby goes through the birth canal. He was breech so we delivered by C-section which probably helped that hole remain. The cord was around his neck, so I don't attribute the position to DS. The other hole in his heart was a small VSD which closed in under 5 months. The specialist said that was very unusual it closed so quickly and we remain convinced our boy is a warrior.

The doctors gave us the news very badly, with a heavy dollop of pity. We had that echo which showed the two small holes, and then they left us like lepers to wait eight weeks for a follow up. The doctor claimed he had a 'very sick baby' down the hall so he couldn't spend more time with us. So clearly even he saw our boy is just really not exactly 'unhealthy'.

They warned us of all kinds of watch outs at his birth of which none materialized. We joined the DSA and although we may need their help down the road, we are just distant observers at the moment because we don't currently need any outside intervention.

I just cannot express strongly enough that although there is a huge range of affectation for kids born with DS, and we are truly very fortunate that he is so healthy, I wonder how many others just don't get the chance to enter the world because parents are so afraid. We feel very much as if the bulk of medical practitioners we've come across just don't view our son as a complete person and that makes me equally sick, sad and furious. He IS complete and he completes our family.

Off my soapbox now lol. Wishing everyone here the best, whatever the outcome of your pregnancies. No fear!! x

 

[everthingX]

So feel for you hun having gone through so much worry through pregnancy, I hate the worry and you cant help it even tho we have done everything possible to protect our little ones.

I have no idea how they come to these scores as I am 37 and will be when giving birth, my 12 week scan had 1.2 NT and 18 week 3.2, so both really normal. but My bloods hcg was 2.0 and papp A 0.38 yet I had a score of 1/110. So my scans had less thickness fluid and I still have a higher score. I am younger so my bloods must be a real indicator here. The Arc helpline tell you it can just be a natural variation in your bloods at the time, but they say that to eveyrone. Its just a guessing game isnt it unless you have Amnio and I have not been brave enough for that after losing my first pregnancy. What will be will be, it has been inspiring listening to your story of how much you love your little man. I worry will I bond and all sorts but I think you just panic. How will everyone else judge you etc. but once baby is here I'm sure my attitude will be much the same, and balls to anyone who cannot accept the way things are. I've sadly just lost my mum to unexpected death and she was my main positive on this, it will be fine and if its not its your baby and you will find a way to cope. I feel like I lost a lot of support when she died but I find faith in her words, it will be OK i have a feeling - I trust my Mum!!

Your little man sounds gorgeous and its so lovely to hear of your lovely bond. What a lucky boy to have been given his Mummy and Daddy, truly blessed!!

I will be honest your story did scare me cos you try to convince yourself all is well, but I'm sure you went through all this too. Our scores were very close together, even tho we had different reasons for those scores. I am feeling very anxious about birth with everything including my Mum...Life is tough sometimes ay!!

Glad all is well with your little man now, thanks for posting x

 

[clairew4]

Claire I had Miss Reddy too. She was great. It was such an easy procedure too. I paid to get the Edwards, Downs and Patau results in 2 days and they were all clear! Yay! Still waiting on th full Karyotype.

Good luck Physiomom fx all fine for you xx

Hi LadyH. Thats great news Fingers crossed for full results. xx

 

[Lady H]

Got full results, all normal. They also confirm it is a little girl, so happy.

 

[Lady H]

So feel for you hun having gone through so much worry through pregnancy, I hate the worry and you cant help it even tho we have done everything possible to protect our little ones.

I have no idea how they come to these scores as I am 37 and will be when giving birth, my 12 week scan had 1.2 NT and 18 week 3.2, so both really normal. but My bloods hcg was 2.0 and papp A 0.38 yet I had a score of 1/110. So my scans had less thickness fluid and I still have a higher score. I am younger so my bloods must be a real indicator here. The Arc helpline tell you it can just be a natural variation in your bloods at the time, but they say that to eveyrone. Its just a guessing game isnt it unless you have Amnio and I have not been brave enough for that after losing my first pregnancy. What will be will be, it has been inspiring listening to your story of how much you love your little man. I worry will I bond and all sorts but I think you just panic. How will everyone else judge you etc. but once baby is here I'm sure my attitude will be much the same, and balls to anyone who cannot accept the way things are. I've sadly just lost my mum to unexpected death and she was my main positive on this, it will be fine and if its not its your baby and you will find a way to cope. I feel like I lost a lot of support when she died but I find faith in her words, it will be OK i have a feeling - I trust my Mum!!

Your little man sounds gorgeous and its so lovely to hear of your lovely bond. What a lucky boy to have been given his Mummy and Daddy, truly blessed!!

I will be honest your story did scare me cos you try to convince yourself all is well, but I'm sure you went through all this too. Our scores were very close together, even tho we had different reasons for those scores. I am feeling very anxious about birth with everything including my Mum...Life is tough sometimes ay!!

Glad all is well with your little man now, thanks for posting x

It's most likely age and blood results, that's what mine were, low Papp a also. Having gone through everything I do wonder now if I should have left it to fate. Waiting for the results is stressful but I am am a major worrier, so knowing now does give some peace but you will always still worry.

Speedbump thanks for sharing, what a lovely heart warming story, hugs to you little boy xx

 

[speedbump]

Thanks to you both for the kind words. Everthingx I love your attitude 'balls to anyone who cannot accept the way things are'. That is the best kind of attitude for any mum and I'm sure you'll be absolutely brilliant whatever the outcome. I am so sorry you've lost your mum but her support will live on in your heart.

Sorry too if my story scared you in any way, I did not mean it to. I'm really trying to just share how even though it is a frightening, uncertain time, on that magical birthday you will have a child who you will adore with all that you are and ever will be. He or she is part of you and you will find such joy. And at 1/110 there are still 109 chances that your child will not have DS. That is always the way I looked at it. That is the way to get over the hurdles those thoughts throw at you! I was confident the whole time our son would be fine, and even though he was born with DS, he is! It's changed my whole perspective in such a good way.

LadyH I will pass on those hugs

Yes, we certainly do worry ourselves into knots in pregnancy, and I hope you can find some serenity in the coming months. It's time for bubble baths, long walks even in the cold!, and pamper pamper pamper yourself. And get everyone else to pamper YOU cos after bubba comes you won't get a look in

 

[clairew4]

Got full results, all normal. They also confirm it is a little girl, so happy.

Hi LadyH....Yay that's fantastic news . Welcome to team Pink x

 

[Peoples22]

Hi ladies , I just got the horrible call today from the dr stating I'm at high risk and I have been a terrible mess all day.