downe syndrom test

[megan210792]

i was just wondering how they do the downe syndrom test...im not sure whether to have it or not..im afraid that they will say my baby has downe syndrom cz my bf said if it does he wants me to terminate the pregnancy and i really dont want to do that.

[Clysta]

People with downs can live lives just like we can. They might have a few more limitations, but it doesn't mean they would be a vegetable. If you know you wouldn't terminate, don't do the test. He might not want to care for a child with downs, but it's a joint effort and termination could have a stronger impact on you than him. The risk is something like 1 in 700. It can happen to anyone, but genetics might play a stronger role. Older couples also have an increased risk.

I personally declined all testing when I was pregnant, because I didn't care. Termination wasn't an option for either of us regardless of what it came back as.

[megan210792]

i chose not to have it on my 1st  was only 16 and was going through alot with my bf throwing me out on the street and 2 of my nans dying. there aint no1 in my family with down syndrom but my bf's cousin is down syndrom so wa are the chances of our baby having it. i dont really want the test done cz i no i wont want to terminate but my bf said he doesn want to bring a baby wth down syndrom into the world cz he dont think its fair on the baby

[texasangel343]

I chose to not have it done with my first pregnancy.  I was 21 and knew that I wouldn't terminate, but also didn't want to worry if in fact there was something wrong.

I felt the same way this time, but I opted for the test.  I'm not old, but I am 7 years older, and I felt like I was in a position to be able to know if something was wrong.  To let myself prepare.  

[AmyG89]

Yes, I meant to say that in my post.  It's 2 sets of blood draws though. I had blood drawn the day of the ultrasound as well but I also had to return at 16 weeks for a second set of blood to compare. You should find out if your doctor wants you to go back around 16 weeks for the second set of blood.

[bby55]

I chose not to have the test. The way i figure is, my baby is not particularly at risk for it, so why do it. And even if I did learn from the test that the baby had something wrong with it, I would not terminate the pregnancy because of that. That would be inhuman. Thats just me though! Good luck!

[texasangel343]

I had my blood drawn the same day as my NT test.  We measured 1.3 and are currently awaiting blood results.  They compare the two, is what my doctor said.  

[megan210792]

ok thank you

[AmyG89]

The NT scan is what you are referring to. It is a two part test. The ultrasound is typically done between weeks 11-13. During the ultrasound the tech will measure the back of the babies neck and will give you a measurement. Anything under 3 is considered normal. Anything over 3 just means you have a higher risk, it doesn't definitively diagnose anything. Then around 16 weeks you will have a blood draw. The doctors will then take the results from the ultrasound & blood draw and determine your risk factor for Trisomy 18, 21 & any neural tube defects. Again this test will not tell you if your baby has any of these problems it will just give you a risk factor. The only way to get a definitive answer is by having an amniocentesis. The amniocentesis comes with a small risk of miscarriage so some people don't find it worth it.
I had the NT scan at 12 weeks & I just had my 16 week blood draw so now I'm waiting for my risk factor results.