Found out today that I am high risk for Down's syndrome!!

Thanks for all your advice and support. After discussing it with DH, we are going to have the amnio, just so we know either way. Otherwise I will stress about it for the next 6 months.

As for what we will do if it is positive, I don't know. If it was my 1st or 2nd child there would be no issue, but this is my 4th, and I don't know if I can manage the older 3's needs as well as the extra demands of a disabled child. But at the same time I don't think I could electively abort a child, especially since people with Down's can lead a relatively normal life. But that decision is for later on.

As DH said, we have a 6-7% chance of Down's, so a 93-94% chance of a normal baby. I have to focus on that, the odds are in our favour.

Thanks again for your words of support.

Well on a good note the amnio should tell you the gender :)

I had this exact same thing happen, TWICE. And both my babies were fine. :) Can I ask how old you are? Was it the triple screen test? I was 34 and 36 when I had high risk results, and the second time, while talking to the genetics counselor, I was told that the test has higher chances of false positives the older you get, because it was designed for younger women.

I did not get the amnio. I opted for a 3D ultrasound at a prenatal clinic that specialized in high risk pregnancies, and they looked for downs markers and found none.

Lots of people do get an amnio and have no issues; if that is the route you choose to take, I hope everything is fine and your baby is healthy.

I hope the amnio comes back with good news xox

Hobbermittens, the result was calculated from the nuchal translucency measurement, the triple blood test and my age. I am 34. When I had my scan last week I knew the nuchal translucency measurement was above average, so I did expect to be at risk, but I was shocked at how high the risk was at 1 in 15!!

We are going to have the amnio, I will call the midwife shortly, but before I do confirm, I will check with her whether there is an option to have an ultrasound.

Thanks again for the support.

How did you go? x

They might be able to do a 4 D ultrasound but only amnio will verify. I would do it too.

I would want to know and it is a tough decision because you make a decision for yourself as a parent AND for the siblings that will be left to care for the child if it does have special needs. It affects the entire family for life. Odds are, it is a false positive and your baby is just fine. Terrible to go through though. Good luck.

Hi, my friend had 1 in 7 chance and the baby was healthy, another friend had 1 in 43 and baby did have DS. The only way to conclusively know is a cvs test but thus is riskier than amnio. Personally I would need to conclusively know as I would have to weigh up my sadness against my family's and the boys future. I would pick me being sad BUT it is a horrible decision and I really feel for you. I have another friend who lost a DS baby at 2 years and I cannot imagine the impact this would have on their siblings. I hope you feel at peace with whatever decision you make, praying for a healthy bean for you

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Originally Posted by nicnee1976

As DH said, we have a 6-7% chance of Down's, so a 93-94% chance of a normal baby. I have to focus on that, the odds are in our favour.

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My doctor told me the statistics in this way also, and it really helped. :) I wish you the best of luck!

I called the midwife this morning. She said they do not offer ultrasound as a diagnostic procedure in this trust, and we do not have 3D/4D scans in this area either. The only conclusive test is CVS or amnio, and I am too late for CVS as it has to be done before 14 weeks, which could not be organised in time, since it has to be done in another city.

The amnio will be on June 23rd. SHe assures me it is a quick procedure and DH can come with me to hold my hand. I just hope that it doesn't cause any complications and that the baby is found to be OK. If not I have a much tougher decision ahead.

Thanks again for all the reassurance.