1st Trimester Screening

[Atia_Julii]

Did anyone opt for this test?  I did it, and the genetic counselor just called with my results.  

They seem decent:

1 in 5,804 chance of down's syndrome
Less than 1 in 10,000 chance of trisomy 13 or 18.

[ang4304]

Hi, my doctor just called and said my triple test results are not good 1/98 so he's booked me in for an amnio on the 10th Feb, seems so long to have to wait.

[forestfairie]

I did the screening just this week and everything looked good. The tech also told us about the angle of the dangle and judging by that she was 80% certain its a girl :) Havent gotten the blood test results back but Im not particularly worried about that at all. I personally didnt want to do the test although they recommend it with my age group (37). I did it because DF thought it was important info to know so I did.

[Princessa745]

My dr, did it the same as Melka's, I got the paper work for the second half of my bloodwork, will go tomorrow or early next week, so they should have my results when i go for my monthly appt on the 28th. But my dr did tell me that the measurements from my ultrasound of the folds were perfect and from my lab work from the first half that everything looks good but will be able to tell me once they have the 2nd half of the lab work.

[Atia_Julii]

The tests are pretty accurate, but they aren't diagnostic.  It is really just a screening.  All it does is give you a risk factor.  I posted my #'s above. . . That doesn't guarantee my baby won't have something, it just says I'm at low risk for it.  If the results show a higher risk, then they usually suggest an amnio, which is diagnostic testing.

[Melka76]

I figured out what test I had done - a sequential screening - it is a combination of the triple screen for the first trimester and the quad for the 2nd.  Now it all makes sense!

[ang4304]

Hi, your results sound excellent. I am having blood tests next week for screening, from what I understand it depends on the results on wether it is recomended to have an amnio. Does anyone know how accurate these blood tests are? I am nervous as I am 43.

[Atia_Julii]

:-)  Try not to worry.  If the Doc said the ultrasound looked great, I'm sure that meant the neck fold was in the normal range.  I've heard of women who had this ultrasound done, and the neckfold was a bit large, and they were told immediately.  The things we worry about though.  I'm a chronic worrier unfortunately.

[Melka76]

from my understanding they way my dr is doing it is the measuring the neck fold - and the blood results will give them a base  the bloodwork a few weeks later will tell the results.. who knows.  I am going to drive myself crazy if I keep worrying....but the dr said the us looked "great" so I am assuming the neck fold was okay. UGH I should have asked

[Atia_Julii]

Interesting.  Mine was a bit different.  I went in for the ultrasound, and the tech did measurements, including the neck fold.  So, I knew those results immediately based on her measurements.  Then I went for blood work, where they were specifically testing for Down's, and then Trisomy 18 and 13.  Then I was told I would hear in a week.  A few days later I received a call with the findings.

The genetic counselor then explained the quad screening and said it's optional considering I had all this blood work done already.

I guess everyone does it different.

[Melka76]

I am not sure - I did the u/s and bw for the triple screen or sequential screening.. I have to wait a few weeks for more blood work than I wait for the results

[Atia_Julii]

I received the results within a week.  The genetic counselor told me she would call me regardless, so not to be alarmed by the phone call.  I will also have the quad screening down (Is that the rest of the blood work you're speaking about?)  The thing is, is the first trimester screening tests for everything except spina bifida, so my quad screening will really only be looking for those markers as the downs and trisomy 18/13 have already been screened.

[Melka76]

I decided to go for this test - did the neck fold and bloodwork today - and go back in 4 weeks for the rest of the blood work.. how soon do you get the results?  Do you get them from the first test or do you have to wait for both?

[Princessa745]

Your results sound good. I've only hard part 1 done, the ultrasoudn and blood work and still need to do the second round of blood work, waiting to get the labwork papers.

[seapony]

Your results sound really positive!
Im having the NT test on 18th Jan if all goes well...(ive had some spotting and my hcg has decreased)

[Atia_Julii]

I've heard that.  I watched the documentary in the womb last night, and the parts look exactly the same.  The documentary said if it's a boy, the part becomes a penis, and if girl, it becomes clitoris.  My DH and I looked at each other after that, and said, the ultrasound tech was DEFINITELY just guessing.  It all looks the same!

[Meadow841]

That's awesome she guessed for you! Mine wouldn't even go there! Even though I know they can't predict 100%, it's nice to know their early prediction bc they see these babies every day!

Have you guys heard of "Angle of the Dangle"? Basically at 12 weeks girl and boy parts look exactly the same...almost like a little boy...but the boys protrusion is greater than 30 degrees from the spine. A girls protrusion is less than 30 degrees from the spine. If you get a good side view picture, you may be able to measure yourself and see. Below is the website explaining (It's at the bottom of the page):

http://www.baby2see.com/gender/external_genitals.html

[Atia_Julii]

I do plan on finding out the gender.  Can't wait! :-D  The ultrasound tech guessed at my 12 week screening ultrasound.  She guessed a girl.  Not sure how accurate that is, so I think I'll hold off on buying all pink! ;-)

[Atlantisea]

Mine is coming up on the 15th Jan and I can't wait!

Your scores where great!

[Meadow841]

I had this done too actually, but I didn't get my results back yet. I think yours is great...that is a very very small chance.

Are you finding out what you are having? When do you go? I seriously can't wait, I'm thinking about bumping the appt. up one week! lol.

[Atia_Julii]

Yes.  They base the probability on age (I'm 30) the ultrasound where they measure the fold in the neck, and then the blood work.  It's kind of complicated.  Honestly, the only reason I opted for it was to get another peak at the baby.

[Melka76]

Is this the triple screen ?  The bloodwork and u/s combo?