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advanced maternal age ?

After a horrible first marriage. I finally met the man of my dreams. And even though our relationship was a whirlwind. And we fell in love fast. I knew him in high school so we weren't strangers. We found out we were having a baby together. And we both are thrilled. He is amazing. So attentive and concerned about my well-being. I went for my first prenatal appointment and was told I am advanced maternal age. And was given the option to have MaterniT(sp?) testing. A noninvasive option to find out if the baby is at risk for Downs or any other chromosomal abnormalities. I've never opted for these tests with my other children. And they were perfect. But I was younger. Much younger. 18 and 22. My Dr said there had to be a cutoff and that cutoff was 35. The baby's father doesn't want the testing because it isn't definitive. And could cause me to worry for no reason. And take away some of the joy I'm feeling. I assumed this is for women 35 and over. And not 35 weeks. So others have faced this same choice.
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Avatar universal
I'm "ama" too and opted to have the test for piece of mind as well as to find out the gender. It's really your choice and there isn't a "right" or "wrong" decision.  Just do what's right for you.
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36 first pregnancy and my bf and I did not get the tests for the same reasons you listed.
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I guess you could say I'm advanced maternal age too but I'm 41, 26 weeks pregnant and no one has pressured me for a test but I see a midwife only for my prenatal care. I'm not worried about it, I haven't had a single ultra sound either and baby is quite healthy, so'm I and low risk.

This is my first pregnancy.
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Avatar universal
Very personal choice.  Some women want to know so they can prepare, some women want to know so they can terminate if there's something genetically incompatible with life/survival  or likely severe disability, some women feel like they could cope with all the above regardless and the tests pointless/ unnecessary.
If you do the test and find out your child has something like Down syndrome then my advise would be to talk to someone who has a child with this as your perspective may change when you hear the real joys or real difficulties involved. (rather than just getting the medical info).  
My husband is 50 and feels he couldn't cope with a child who had complex physical needs when he/she turns 30-40years and my hubby 80-90... I think that is a reasonable viewpoint but once actually pregnant  I felt different about this compared to it being theoretical.  
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Avatar universal
I will turn 37 on the day I deliver my baby. I also have an 18yo son w autism. My husband & opted out of these tests for the pregnancy for our daughter (who is almost 3 & perfect) & also w this pregnancy. We look at it this way, if we have a child w special needs, then we'll deal w those needs as they come. Tests can't guarantee 100% & they sure can't tell a parent how they'll feel holding that sweet bundle in their arms. Would I have made different choices if I'd known my 18yo would have autism? Absolutely not.
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Avatar universal
I got the test done because it was covered and I wanted to be prepared if possible.  I was going to keep my child no matter what the outcome but I thought why not.  It's not invasive and they can give you the gender of the baby really early.
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Avatar universal
My midwife told me they just changed the advanced maternal age to 40. Just in the last 2 months. Not sure your age.
Anyway, I am 37 and will not be getting the test because I have no history of downs in my family and the worry would drive me crazy.
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Avatar universal
I am 41 and pregnant with my 5th child and I opted not to have the test because I will love my child no matter what. So far everything looks great on both ultrasounds.  
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Avatar universal
I'm a tiny bit younger then 35 but we have a family history of downs and autism. We've refused the tests both pregnancies because the way we see it is that we already decided we wanted a baby, we've seen what our families have gone through and believe we are strong enough to cope with whatever the outcome, and there are far worse things in life they can't test for. There's a lot to consider and its such a personal choice. Good luck!
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Avatar universal
Yes they do offer several tests for those of us that are 35 and over. I will be 39 when I deliver my 3rd.i have had the amniocentesis done at my physicians recommendation and everything was fine. It's tough when they throw all of the options at you. Good luck with your pregnancy!
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