Testing for Downs

I was wondering if some of you "older" moms ;-) could share your experience with testing for downs.  I'm 36, and although test results would not change our decision about the baby, I'm wondering if I should have any done at all.  My doctor said there is such a high positive that it could cause me to worry for the rest of the pregnancy for no reason.  Please share with me your experience with the testing.

Thanks!

p.s. We heard the heartbeat beating loud and strong yesterday! What a beautiful sound!

[jifnif]

hi rainee, i am 36 as well and 24 weeks pregnant w/ my third.  my first is 16 and she is completely healthy.  my 2nd was a m/c last may.  we opted for no testing due to the high false positives and at 20 weeks has a level II ultrasound.  it came back w/ an echogenic spot on his heart which is only a soft marker for downs.  we had a follow up this week and the spot is still there but we are being told that there are no other abnormalities and this is seen a lot on healthy babies too. we have done a lot of research and it looks promising.  i think i will worry til he is born.  but you hear stories about both sides.  i just know that i would not abort this baby either way so we did not want to have the testing.  i hope some other girls will give you their perspectives as well.  best wishes.

[Tamara551]

I agree with the above post.  I don't think I am going to get it done either.  It won't change what happens with the baby and if there is a false postive then you have something to worry about the rest of your pregnancy.

[my3reasons]

I agree with the other posters. Your doctor sounds like he you can't be certain about the tests.  I had my 3rd child a month before I turned 36 and I chose not to do any tests.  My dr. said he did not think I neccessarily needed to do them. It would not have made any difference for me.  I was going to have my son no matter what.  I did end up having him a little over a month early, but he was very healthy and huge 8lbs 7 oz.  Dr. said it was a good thing I had him early or he would have been 12-13lbs!  He is now a perfectly healthy 3 yr. old.  Try not to worry too much, and take care of yourself and your baby.  I wish you the best!

[kellym]

At my appt last week (at 18wks) she asked me if I wanted the quad test (whatever that means) I know downs and spina bifida are 2 of them, well I said I don't think so. The nurse then said, well, you signed the consent and your insurance pays for it, you might as well. Low and behold befor I knew it I was giving blood!!! I have been on pins and needles since last Friday. It would mark 1 week today and she said tests come back in a week. I'm nervous, but, not nervous enough to call, yikes! Boy my sister yelled at me for doing it. Everyone has their own thoughts! Good Luck, you will make the right decision. Kellie

[rainee]

Thank you so much for sharing.  It makes me feel better knowing there are so many out there that do not test.  I have a lot of friends that have and they throw out all these numbers...1/150, 1/200, 1/1000, etc.  My doctor also told me that she had a patient that her test results came back 1 out of 20 chance of her baby having downs and the baby was born healthy.  I know I'm just the type that would OBSESS over it every day and feel it would ruin my pregnancy experience.  Plus, like I said, we wouldn't do anything different so there's really no need.  Thanks again for sharing!

[my3reasons]

I hope you get your results soon and you will feel better.  You are right, everyone has to make the decision that is best for them.  I decided I didn't want to do them, but I certainly think it is great that we can choose to test or not.  Good luck to you!

[dandeelyon]

I just miscarried at 14 weeks in March with a baby girl who had Downs.  Since this was my 3rd miscarriage and I am 35, we met with the high risk dr and also a genetics counselor.

There is a test that can be performed between 11 and 13 weeks.  I don't have the list with me right now to even be able to tell you the name.  They take blood and test your HCG and another hormone.  You would also get a level two ultrasound where they look at the thickness of the babies neck.  They are much more accurate then the quad test.  They recommend not doing the quad test if you have this done.  It does have to be done withing the two week window.  From there, you can decide if you want the amnio or not.

We are going to try again for the last time in July.  This is the test that we will have done.  Like you, a child having downs would not cause us to terminate the pregnancy but it would help with knowing what to do.

Good luck

[rainee]

Thanks again to all of you.  I really appreciate you sharing your experiences with me.

[greenpixie]

I'm only 31, but everyone is offered the "First Look" procedure, which is the earlyscreening for chromosomal disorders.  DH & I thought about it, but opted against it.  This baby is already too loved and too wanted so it doesn't really matter what my risk are.  Nothing would make me terminate this pregnancy.  Also, I didn't want something else to worry about, as pregnancy is already stressful enough.  I thought it might be good just to be prepare myself, but can you really prepare for that?  Just ask yourself, "What will I do with the information?"  If it's just going to cause you to be upset then I wouldn't bother. If you think it will somehow be helpful, then go for it.

[madavis369]

I am not an older mom but if you read my post about the update for ECHOGENIC FOCI you will see that I at 22 had high chance for Down Syndrome, and there was an EIF noted in the heart.

At 22 the average should be 1 out of about 1400.

I tested at 17.3 week at 1 out of 253, SO I KNOW HOW YOU FEEL

Keep us posted

[mom@homenow]

I was 35 when I had my ds and I opted out of all the tests except for the sonogram at 20 wks. I too had heard of a high # of false positives and then more testing, and this was from friends rather than the doctors. And, like you, it wouldn't have made a difference to me. I wanted the sonogram to be sure the spinal cord etc weren't deformed if possible, just to be sure a natural delivery wouldn't harm the baby. For me, it would have been more stressful to do the all tests than not. Everyone is different... I'm sure you'll make the decision that's best for you & your family. Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy & your baby!

[cutiemama]

Here in Canada it is pretty standard for every pregnant women to be offered the nuchal translucency u/s btwn 11w-13w6d. It measures the nuchal fold at the back of the baby's neck which can help detect chromosomal abnormalities such as Down's very early on. I actually don't know one person that has actually opted out of the test but perhaps it's because we have gov't subsidized health care and we don't pay out of pocket??? Not sure the reasons, but I do find it very helpful to know everything you can about your baby so that if, god forbid, your child has certain problems/conditions that as parents we can be as fully prepared to deal with whatever has come our way. Just my 2 cents as this is an extemely personal decision! Also, with the false positives one can go on to have further testing to verify the accuracy of the u/s.

[amy g.]

I'm 39. I'll be 40 when the baby is born, I turned down all genetic testing except for the level 2 sonogram. It is a noninvasive, and fairly accurate way to test.

[bengalcats]

I was 38 when I had my second child, I did have the test done even though I was scared, I wanted to prepare myself If my baby was going to have Downs syndrome and make sure I educated myself as much as I could, I didnt want to be surprised with it. It turned out that she is very healthy and free of any health problems. I am glad I had the test done, but I know there are risks and I respect anyone who doesnt get it because of that.

[cdenisec]

I am 37 and trying for number 3.  I have been reading all the stats and I'm scared enough to stop trying!  I grew up with a severely handicapped brother and I am of the oppinion that I would have to know if there is a test available.  I don't understand all the tests?  Can anyone clarify?

[first time mom1434]

Aloha
I am 35 and was recommended by doctor to take different test since I reached 35 during my pregnancy. Back in March I turned 35.
I am 22 weeks now.
I have talked to 2 doctors. One said if my blood work shows any abnormatlities and the ultrasound is not good then I have to stick the needle through my belly button. Otherwise I do not need to.


Now my blood test was normal I have a blood of a 20 yr old and ultrasound was normal. After that I opted not to test anymore.
Simply this is what I believe because I grew up in 2 different cultures. IF test showed normal then let it be. Any more testing would harm the baby that is what I believe..
So no test for me.
I have read one has to do different test after 35. Honestly talk to your doctor and follow your heart voice.

It is only in the USA that they require to do more test after 35. Not in Japan or Germany.