Positive for Downs

[mouse_chicky]

I got a call today from my doctor who said my 2nd trimester lab tests came back positive for Downs Syndrome. She said that this didn't necessarily mean anything but I have to go to a specialist now for more tests. She told me not to panic, but I can't help but be a little upset. Everything up until now has gone so well. I also have the option of doing an amnio, which I think is way too risky. Is anyone else going through this or had a positive blood test that turned out fine?

 

[Waiting2bMommy]

So sorry hun My friend told me her aunt was told the same and had a perfectly healthy baby! Those results are just an estimate not actuality.

 

[Surprise]

Hi Hun I want to tell you not to worry - the tests you had were screening tests only, not diagnostic. All it does is give a range, a percentage, like you see on a bell curve. It absolutely is not diagnostic. And since I know that a real-life story will help ease your mind, here's one: my dad's wife had the screening done and was told she had a 1:23 chance of having a child with down's syndrome. But she didn't!! My baby brother is lovely and healthy. She did opt for the amniocentesis, which showed that the baby was fine. For this and other reasons, I opted not to have any genetic screenings done, even though my baby is at higher risk due to my age. Hang in there and try not to worry! How far along are you? I know there are some good soft markers they can check for on ultrasound...
Best wishes

 

[mouse_chicky]

Thanks girls. I really appreciate the reassurance. Maybe I shouldn't have done the test, but I was kind of made to feel like it was routine. I just can't wait until all the tests are over. And like you all said, chances are, everything's fine.

 

[kelliemssw]

My sister and sister law both tested positive for a higher chance of downs. They kids are normal

 

[winegums]

heya hun my cousin had a baby the same time as me last year. she was positive for downs but he's completely normal! she thought after that that he would definitely have downs syndrome i guess cos of her age too but he didn't xx

 

[BreCon]

My aunt was just telling me this story...she had two children out of her five that tested positive....they both came out perfectly healthy!

Sadly there are a lot of mothers who as soon as they find out they are positive they abort their babies...think of how many healthy babies were aborted...

You wouldn't receive anything you couldn't handle...either way a baby is a beautiful blessing!!

Good luck to you! But keep all of us here updated!

 

[Marysr]

I just want to tell you that I have known so many women who have had amnios and not one resulted in any adverse effects.

My best friend had some soft markers for DS with both pregnancies, had amnio both times, both times ended with healthy, beautiful children.

 

[jeanettekaren]

Without the amnio they cannot tell that your baby definitely has downs, just that you are at a higher risk than others. If you wish to know then you will need to have the amnio done but there are plenty of people who go ahead with the amnio and their babies are perfectly fine.

 

[ttcgeordie]

hun my auntie was told that and has a perfectly healthy little boy, but my other auntie was told all is fine and my cousin has downs they didnt know till she was born, but she is an amazing little girl such a personality, my auntie couldn't believe the way she acted against her when she was born,totally not what you would want but sooooo not the end of the world X chin up XX

 

[bigbetty]

I had the downs blood test taken at 16wks and got a call from the hospital to tell me that i was at high risk of downs 1:65. Even then this is only a 1 and a half percent chance that my little girl will be born with it.

DH and I decided not to have the amniocentesis as we are going to love this baby whether she is perfect, has downs or only one leg. And so for that reason we decided it wasnt worth the 1% risk of miscarriage to have the test.

DH said he wished we hadn't had the blood test now as it got him all freaked out but I said that if we hadn't how much of a shock would it be if she is born with downs and we had absolutely no idea??? I feel that at least it won't come as a complete shock now if she does.

When we had our anomoly scan at 19+3 there were none of the obvious physical signs of downs that can sometimes show, which put our minds at rest a little, but obviously its no guarantee that she doesnt have it.

What you need to decide is how you would feel if your baby does have down's and whether you really need to know before they are born. You have to weigh up the risks of having the amniocentesis over how you would feel about the results.

Just remember to do what you feel is right for you and your baby, don't let the hospital or anyone else try and push you into something you don't feel comfortable with. And if you decide to go ahead with the tests then you will know it is because it is the best thing for you not anyone else.

You should get some sort of counselling from the hospital, the lady I spoke to was lovely and simply went through all of the facts without trying to pursuade me one way or the other. My parents both used to be nurses who worked with people who had downs so I already knew a little.

I really hope that things turn out well for you - good luck sweetie xxxxx

 

[rubyloo]

first of all
the prospect of Downs can be really frightening, but hopefully this will help get things in perspective. DS is one of the few genetic abnormalities which the medical profession can test for with any degree of accuracy - note, though, that there are countless women who will have been told to expect a DS child who end up with perfectly 'normal' babies. Amnio carries a 1% risk of miscarriage. again, ask yourself this - is this risk too much? is it essential that you know? if you find out that your baby does have DS, what are you going to do? i know this might sound a bit scary, but its best to have this discussion with your OH and try and get your thoughts straight before you evn consider further testing. Do a little research too. i've worked with 'special needs' children as well as in mainstream schools. there are many different levels of Downs from very mild (where the child will be perfectly capable of achieving GCSEs etc) to very severe. there is no way they can test for this.

there are many, many other conditions out there which can also have a massive impact on family life: epilepsy, severe asthma, autisim, ADHD...i am not saying any of these things are 'bad', just that they take time and management. there are no antenatal tests for any of these. of course we all hope and pray that our babies are healthy and happy - remember, happiness is not something we can measure in others; equally, DS does not spell doom and gloom. i am very much of the opinion that we ought to celebrate humanity i all its glorious colours, types and differences BUT that does not mean my outlook or approach is right for everyone.

finally, do not panic! if you don't want the amnio, don't have it. never feel pressured into these things - make sure you and OH agree though.

good luck x

 

[FlatShoes]

My mum was given a 1;32 chance with my brother and he's fine

 

[twinmummy5]

i think the tests are scarey and can cause many many many woman to end their pregnancies....and the baby is fine!!!

I have never had any tests during any of my pregnancies..because im still gonna carry on with the pregnancy no matter what the results where. so why cause more worry!

Im sure your baby will be fine hun, and im sending hugzzzz ur way xxx

 

[Jolene]

Sending you lots of cyber I can only imagine how you're feeling right now. This is the reason I didn't go for any of the test and am glad my gynae made it clear that the tests were optional.

I'm sure your little precious bundle will be fine from what I've read on this thread so far and I hope you have all the love and support you need from your family.

 

[Jojo-Mummy]

the screening without Amnio doesnt tell you its positive, just states your higher risk thats all. I wouldnt worry hun, Now you need to make the decision of having the amnio but even that is not 100% accurate.

 

[ShanandBoc]

I refused the downs test but really if you are gonna have the bloods there really is no point unless you are gonna have the amnio as well.

Of course you can still refuse it but in hindsight theres not really any point unless you have both as just causes so much stress and worry imo.

Im sure your baby will fine and i hope you are okay. Take care whatever u decide to do xo

 

[Babycakes82]

The only test which will tell you 100% is the amnio, the tests you've had are just screening. I've heard so many people say that they've been told they are high risk but give birth to healthy babies. I read somewhere that even when you're told you're high risk 9 out of 10 babies are born with no abnormalities. Good luck xxxx

 

[moomin_troll]

i really dont see it as a bad thing to have a child with downs, yes it will be harder but it will still be ur baby and ule still be lucky to have them.

 

[Jojo-Mummy]

i really dont see it as a bad thing to have a child with downs, yes it will be harder but it will still be ur baby and ule still be lucky to have them.

Totally agree with you there