I agree with everything feelinit said. It is so important to remember that the test your wife had is NOT diagnostic. All it does is help you decide whether further testing is recommended. I was 40 when I had my son, and based on bloodwork and NT, my odds were 1:13. I too had an amnio and he is now a perfectly healthy, typical 13 month old.
I also agree with her comments on the nasal bone. That is an excellent sign. I can tell you that I have been on this site for a very long time. I have heard situations like yours so many times and I only know very few who actually had a baby with DS. It's just very rare.
Good luck to you!
Hi KT Mama ,
You NT is good and 1:35 is only a risk factor not an indication. I had 1:20 my NT was 2.6 but it was under 3 which is low risk.
I have been through months of stressing about these results and being scanned with v/short limbs. An amnio showed all good results.
Only an amnio will give you the most accurate answers. Drs and results like these send you straight to stressful and usually for no reason. Bottom line is you have a 3% risk factor that there may be something but 97% chance there isn't.
I guess you need to decide what your reasons for an Amnio would be, and what you would do with those results. Good luck.
AND First timedad,
The fact that you can see the Nasal bone is a good sign. With Downs that is usually missing early on and one of the indicators for Downs.
So my wife and I are really freaking out ... . our NT test came back on the high side ... 3.6 mm .. her HCG test at .99 and PAP A at .088
The doctor showed us a clearly developed nasal bone .. and indicated that 3 of the 4 measurements they obtained for the NT test came in under 3.0 and that they struggled to get accurate measurements since the baby was against the uterine wall ..
She is 30 years old .. .. this is our first pregnancy ..
Any advice would be great !!
Thanks
I just went through this exact same thing. My risk level for Downs was 1:13. Here is what I understand about this...
Your NT is normal (mine was as well). Anything under 2mm is excellent, under 3mm is low risk
It is not the actual numbers of your free beta and papp, but the ratio between the two that is causing the high risk factor. If one is really high and one is really low, your results are higher. They also take into consideration your age.
It is the blood result that is giving you such a high risk. Keep in mind that this test is just a screen. When you put it into perspective, the chances that baby is fine are 34:35..pretty good odds. I opted for amnio and my little boy is absolutely perfect and my screen was much higher risk then yours.
I am not suggesting invasive testing or encouraging you not to get it. I did a whole lot of research and interviewed the clinic and perinatologist before I decided on it. In my case I am glad I did as since getting those results I have been able to relax and enjoy. It's a highly personal decision and I wish you well!
I would try to talk to a genetics conselor. My results had a high NT. I searched & searched the internet and couldn't find answers to my questions. The counselor was able to tell me what else could cause a high NT, and the probability. After much questionning on our part, she said that if she had to make a diagnosis..it was probably Turner's Syndrome, and not Down's Syndrome. We had a CVS procedure to know for sure, and she was correct. Her fee for counseling was only $30. $30 is definitely worth it to avoid spending all those hours on the internet!
1 in 35 for downs??? hmmm, your NT scan measured in less than 2.0 and that's what they look for, so maybe it was your other factors. I would have to do some research on the web to see what everything else meant. Good luck, I am awaiting my results as we speak!