First the good news It's a boy! Now my question: I took the blood test on yesterday to test for Down Syndrome

[Prayerful2528]

and I received a call today from my doctor's nurse who said he wanted to see me in his office next Wed. because my test came back high for downs.  I saw the specialist on Monday before I saw him, and he told me about the amniocetesis test that is usually done on older women, and the risk behind the test, but I opt out.  He said that my ultrasound did not raise any concerns,, and everything was looking good.  I am a nervous wreck,  I don't know what to think.  Has anyone every had the blood test that said one thing, and there baby came out fine?  Thanks ladies

[pertykitty]

Only amnio is 100% not an u/s. I have a dd with ds and she is perfect! Tests by us or blood are wrong way too often. Congrats in your perfect bundle!

[LALEAH]

There is a non-invasive way of testing for Down S.  Ask your doctor about having an ultrasound test done for this.  Measurements are taken of the baby's neck, arms, legs, etc. and the results give you a probability of Down.  A fetus with Down S. will have different lengths in certain areas.  I had this done in Indpls and at the time, there was only one doctor who conducted this ultrasound.  That was some time ago so I am sure it is available.  Based upon the risk, the parent may then decide if an amnio is the next step.  Good luck.  

[Prayerful2528]

Thanks ladies, your comments have really help to ease my mine.  I see my doctor next week and will tell him No more testing.  I know God has bless me to go pass the odds of all the m/cs and I want allow anyone to stress me.  The first u/s with the specialist he explained to me about the amino test and it's risk I knew then I wasn't going to chance that.  He then went on to tell me that my u/s looked fine, and did not raise any red flags from what he could see.  I go back to the specialist in 6 weeks for a structure u/s so hopefully I will know more then.  You ladies are the best, and I thank God for each of you, and this site.  I will keep you posted...

[adgal]

Oh, and if you feel that way about amnio, do not let anyone talk you into it.  Christine is right...it is such a personal decision and you have to do what is right for you.  Ask the Dr. what the NT measurement was, if there was a nasal bone present (these are all soft markers) and what the actual odds are.  I think the cut off is something like 1:100 that they consider it positive and start offering (or in some cases, pushing) amnio.  If you think about that number, that means that you have a 1% chance of your little guy having DS.   And tell them not to use the word positive.  It can scare the heck out of you for absolutely no reason.

[adgal]

Hey Yolanda.  First off, huge congrats on a baby boy!!  

Secondly...the blood testing they do (usually combined with NT test) is NOT a diagnostic test.  All it does is help to determine your risk factor.  So you don't really test positive or negative.  Remember when I was pregnant with Ryder?  Well, based on the bloodwork and NT, my risk for him having downs syndrome was 1:13.  Technically they call that a positive (I wish they would change their termanology).  Anyway, as you know, he is just fine.  You could have your results come back 1:2 and it would still be 50/50.  All it is intended to do is help you decided whether or not you want further testing (which is of the invasive sort such as amnio).  I know you are against that, so you can do a Level 2 ultrasound later on to put your mind at ease.  But don't worry, ok?  It is not diagnostic, just determines odds.  It is still pretty unlikely your little man has DS.  (((Hugs))

[worried2451]

I had the quad blood test done during my pregnancy. It came back very high risk for Down syndrome ....1 in 30. A few days later I had an amnio done, all was fine. My son is 7 months old in a few days and perfect, well actually terribly spoiled and perfect ... :D
Good Luck! All my best!

[ChristineMP]

PLENTY of women on this board have had their blood tests come back showing a high risk for Down Syndrome and had a perfectly healthy baby.

Take a look at this thread from April162010
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Pregnancy-35/Glucose-and-other-test--18-weeks--42y-o/show/1419286

She posted back in December that her Down Syndrome risk came back high. She opted to not have amnio. Her baby was born earlier this month and is perfect :)

The decision of whether or not to have an amnio is a personal one. My husband and I knew even before this baby was conceived that we would not have an amnio due to the risks. Some folks HAVE to know...not knowing is worse than knowing for sure that their worst fears are true...those folks probably benefit from an amnio...the stress of not knowing would cause more problems than an amnio. Other people can handle the unknown without stressing and/or obsessing.

Do what is best for you (((hug)))

[blueeyedtabbycat]

first off congrats on your son:) secondly I would go by your u/s.  Those blood test are only an indictors of a possiblity, not confirmation. There wouldbe some kind of markers on your u/s to through up a red flag. Of course unlessyou get the amnio you will wonder untill you give birth:( I turned down an amnio with my DD it was hard not knowing.