Officially FREAKED OUT!!

Ok so I had the QUAD test done today. But the more I read about it, the more I freak out!! I am so worried! Although there is NO genetic disorder or birth defects on my side of the family, my husband has a cousin with down syndrom (syndrome) (her mom was 33 yrs old when she had her) and his gramma had a baby girl when she was in her late forties with a chromosome defect. I think the baby had trisomy 18 but I'm not sure. Sadly she passed away only a few weeks after birth, she was born the same year I was. I'm just so worried that this could effect our baby. Can you guys please share your experience with these tests?

Sam

[AnnieBrooke]

When you say you are worried that "this" could affect your baby, what do you mean by this?  Not the test, certainly?  Something like ... the fact that someone in your husband's family had a baby with a chromosome defect means your baby would have one?  Downs is not inherited that way, it has to do with the age of the egg (i.e., the age of the mother) at the time of conception.  Not knowing what was the problem with his grandma's baby, it is hard to say how concerned to be, but since she was in her late 40s at the time and you are pretty sure it was a chromosome defect, I wouldn't worry too much about it.  If there was a bad genetic problem in your husband's family, it surely would have shown up in other family members.  Try not to sweat these tests -- if it is good news, all that stress is for nothing, and if it is bad news you will know soon enough.  My guess is that your pregnancy and your baby are just fine.

[Cheyenne_08]

I had the test and the results helped my doctors determine the underlying problem with my pregnancy and with their new knowledge, they were able to care for both of us, and we are fine:-) That test was very benefical for my pregnancy.

[rubyolivia]

I have several friends who have had false positives. BUT like Cheyenne said (she being on of those friends) her possible positive for spina bifida totally helped out in finding an underlying problem. It was stressful for her waiting things out, but in the end (after finding out there was no spina bifida) she was really glad she had the testing. And I was left wondering "should I have had the testing? what if I have something going on too?" I think that my next pregnancy I will definitely have the tests done to ease my mind!!

[Georgiamom]

With my experience, I took the Quad Test and it came back positive for Down Syndrome so they sent me to have an amnio test done and everything came back normal.   So in my case, I have a false positive. With my pregnancy now, I had the Quad test and it came back negative so I did not have to have another amnio.   Like AnnieBrooke said, don't sweat it - I'm sure everything will be fine.

[mommy2b-nanny]

Thank you so much for the reassuring words guys. I'm just really paranoid about this baby, I can't help it! The waiting part of it really sucks!