Blood Test increased our risk for Downs

[teachkindergarten]

I am 37 and expecting our 3rd child in October.  We have 2 beautiful healthy boys.  This pregnancy was a complete surprise!  This week I received a call from our doctor that said my blood test determine our risk of delivering a Down's baby as higher than my age warrants.  Our ultrasound was perfect and the neck line was beautiful according to our ultrasound expert.  My risk went from 1:235 to 1:123      I don't know what to do and am really anxious.  We are praying to God for a healthy baby.  I don't know if we should go for the genetic testing and amnio or just try to enjoy the pregnancy and believe the baby will be fine.  Please help with your stories of high risk and what you did.   Please pray with us that our baby is healthy.  Thank you!

[SimplyStar]

Your risk level is still very low, I would just relax , enjoy your pregnancy and wait for a delivery of a happy baby.

[lscott3156]

I just had my third child on September 10, 2008.  He is now almost 7 months old.  He has down syndrome.  It was a complete surprise to us and like you said the pregnancy was unexpected.  When i went for my first sonogram they told us the ventricles in the brain were measuring larger than what they should be and sent us to a sonogram specialist.  He said the ventricles in the brain measured 12 and should be smaller than 10.  The spec. said that 50% of the time they only enlarge and the baby would be born with Hydrocephalus (water on the brain). They offered amnio i refused, they offered termination of course would never do. We went home all upset and prayed and prayed like crazy that we would have a healthy baby and everything would be alright.  We went back  a month later to the spec for a check up and the ventricles meausred in the normal range.  We thought that everything was ok until Brady was born and the Doctor in the hospital came in the recovery room telling me that he thought he had down syndrome.  He does but it is ok.  He is the cutest most sweetest baby.  He does not have the heart issues that alot of them have.  The only thing we have had with Brady was tubes put in his ears at 4 months due to fluid.  He gets the runny nose thing alot but that is because they have smaller ears & passage ways.  He is already rolling over at 51/2 months he started doing that.  He does have the low muscle tone in the neck so it will take him a little longer to sit up.  But God gave us a healthy happy baby like we prayed for.  I have two girls and now my baby boy.  Try not to worry and just wait.  God will not put anything on you that you cannot handle.  

[teachkindergarten]

Thank you, we have decided to trust God, not have any more testing, and enjoy the pregnancy.  Your words are helping.  

[PamelaBee]

Your odds are very good.  Due to your age alone the bloodtest results will come back negative...don't worry, all will be fine!

[PamelaBee]

oops I'm sorry, I meant "positive"...relax and enjoy your pregnancy...darn tests anyway!!!  : )

[bubbaboy]

even if your baby does have down syndrome its still your baby no matter what. i have a 7 year old with downs, i gave birth to him when i was 18 and the hole time i pregnant all my test were fine the only thing was he had some bladder problems. i had him in feb they took him right out of my room cuz he was blue he couldnt breath on his own come to find out he did have downs, he also had three holes in his heart. the three hole all closed on there own by the time he was 1. he is a healthy little man. he is the love of my life, the star in my eyes. if you do have a little downs then god knew you were the one to mother that little speical baby.. god does everything for a reason. god bless you and your family.