Prenatal Testing

[TRINITY25_99]

How efficient are these blood tests that check for DS, NTD, and Tri 18? Has anyone had an amniotic done regardless of the bloodwork coming back ok? I am 37 years old, will be 38 when I deliver, and I am not sure if I want an amniotic done regardless on if my testing comes out ok. Feedback anyone? Thanks

 

[SunflowerMama]

I am 39yrs, will be 40yrs the week baby arrives. Did the NT scan where DS risk came out as 1:454, then the biochemical blood work in the first trimester (HCG and PAPAA hormones) brought the risk to 1:180 (anything less than 1:250) is considered high risk for DS and other Tri-s. Thus finally decided to go ahead with amniocentesis. The risk of amnio is pretty low now with high-tec ultrasounds available for the procedure. My sonographer has a great reputation with amnios and thus I wasn't too worried. The procedure in itself wasn't painful at all...just a prick like blood test and then some pressure for a fraction of a second. The complete result comes only after 3 weeks but the FISH report comes within 4-5 days. I just received my report 2 days back and by God's grace the baby is absolutely normal. I am so glad I went ahead with the amnio. Now I feel so much at peace with this pregnancy.
Hope this helps you in any way. If you need any more info do ask. Wishing you H&H this pregnancy. Cheers!

 

[gryphongrl]

I'm 36 and declined all prenatal abnormality testing, because I was not going to act on any of the information regardless of the outcome. Thus any risk (for the CVS or amnio) was not worth it. If I was going to decline the CVS and amnio, there was no point in the blood tests. Whatever you do, think about how the outcome will affect your actions after. If you know that you are prepared to terminate the pregnancy or you are testing for something that can be treated in utero, then maybe testing is right for you (92% of DS babies are killed - sorry for the inflammatory word, do not know what other word to use). If you are going to keep the baby no matter what and none of the abnormalities can be treated during pregnancy, then why go through the risk? At least that's the way I viewed it. We can only do the best we can for our babies and the rest is in God's hands.

 

[40yearoldmum]

trinity
You are going through a lot at the moment and i just want to say you are not so old!! I got pregnant with my son at 38 and gave birth to him at 39 and 2 months. I had a blissfully unaware pregnancy and delivered him early at 34 weeks. Anyway i had a nuchal translucency ultrasound at 12 weeks and the blood tests that go with it. The nuchal fold measurement was in the limits and the bloods in conjuction with this brought a 1:1200 chance so i was happy. Now since my little boy i have been through hell with miscarriages, lack of pregnancy, different anomalies, diagnosis of clooting disorder etc. I too am a nervous wreck.
This is my plan going forward bearing in mind i am 42 not 38 and will be 43 when the baby is born (hopefully), as i say this is my plan and everyone is different it is so personal to each couple too. your plan will be just that.
1. Is to take each step at a time and not try and worry about the next worry!
2. I have scan today (9 weeks) if the baby is still alive I shall go forward with the nuchal translucency scan and blood tests.
3. on receipt of those results I shall think about amnio or not , this to me is something i cant contemplate til i get the results. at the moment im very much that even if its a 1:100 chance i still have great odds of not have a DS child.

Ther is also the fact that by the time i get the results i will be 12.5 weeks along, a decision to do cvs or amnio would take me to at least 13 weeks along and for results on amnio maybe 17 weeks along. At this stage i cannot say if i could terminate a baby, but i also and this is personal would worry about bringing a DS child into the world at my age because who will look out for that child when i am gone. You know these to me are all things i can only really give major thought to when the screening forces me to change routes etc.
At this time I am just happy there is one in there growing. I think you should just take one phase at a time trinity and together with your partner make your decisions and remember your not that old girl!
xx

 

[Seity]

I had my first at 36 and my second at 39. I did the tests because I'd prefer to know the risks and if they came back low numbers, then make the decision if I wanted it confirmed by amnio or not. Luckily, my risks came back 1:5000, 1:3200, and 1:5000 respectively for DS,NTD,Tri18 so I never had to make a choice.
For me it was more a matter of preferring to prepare myself mentally in advance should there be a risk, rather than have it sprung on me at birth with no prep beforehand.

 

[TRINITY25_99]

I will take it 1 day at a time. It's the best thing for me to do, and I won't worry as much, though I am the 'type' that has everything planned out and ready WAAAAYYYY ahead of time, but this time, everything is out of my hands, all I can do is pray my prenatal blood work comes back good, and I would not have to worry about going for a amnio ... a few years back hubby and I had genetic testing done, and we passed, is that an added bonus or does it not matter?

 

[40yearoldmum]

Trinity you are who I am routing for now! I got my scan mine has gone, I'm not looking for sympathy at all. I want you to revel in the fact you are worrying about something! Your so young! I told you my first little boy as blissful ignorance me and hubby went yes let have a baby dec 2007 no trying no preventing, sex when it took us and it wasn't massively regular got pregnant, carried on running, riding, c ' I' m only pregnant not ill attitude lovelyr boy. Job done! Your going to be great!

 

[TRINITY25_99]

The prenatal testing on my bloodwork forms is set for 11 weeks. That will be in 2 weeks, I will get them done, and will follow-up with you all as to their findings. Wish me luck!

 

[SunflowerMama]

Wish you all the very best for the blood work. Hope all is well and you don't need any more testing!! Cheers!