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MedHelp Member's Question

good results on first trimester screen - Whew!

by mlb1234, Jul 27, 2007 04:36PM
Just got our overall risk factor back from the first trimester screen:
risk of down's 1:3121
risk of trisomy 13 or 18  1:6001
In the genetic counselor's words "Beautiful screen results."  He also said everything on the ultrasound looked great!  I just read that a 25y old has a 1:1300 risk of Having a Down's baby...I guess that means my old eggs are as good as a teenagers!! (jk!!)  This is all such a relief even though I was not THAT worried.  Best of luck to all the pregnant ladies and especially to all of you still trying!!!!  I hope you all can feel how I feel right now!!
Member Comments (6)

by Renogirl, Jul 27, 2007 08:41PM
whoo hoo!  good to hear!  I'm sure you are breathing a sigh of relief and patting that tummy.  Here's to a happy and healthy rest of your pregnancy!

by pertykitty, Jul 27, 2007 11:56PM
that is great news.  i was sure my baby was ok too, but until i heard it was i had it on the back of my mind.  

by nylena, Jul 28, 2007 05:03AM
To: mldb1234
Congrats,that's great news!! Youi must be terribly relieved and excited! I hope you don't mind me asking you, but could you please explain what kind of tests did you have in the first trimester?Is this 1:3121 an overall risk factor from different tests?Did you or going to have any invasive tests(cvs or amnio)?I' m really concerned about genetic screening so any info is welcome...

by Tanker Chic, Jul 28, 2007 04:06PM
congrats that is wonderful news!!  Happy 2nd and 3rd trimester!!  

by mlb1234, Jul 28, 2007 06:43PM
To: nylena
the first trimester screen is a nuchal translucency ultrasound, and two blood tests (for papp-a and free hcg).  They combine these results with you age and weight and come up with an overall risk for down syndrome and trisomy 13.18.  It is completely noninvasive and has to be done before 13w6d.  I believe to have the complete test you probably have to go to a bigger medical center (the techs need to be certified).  This was our first step in deciding whether or not we would do amnio.  At this point amnio does not look necessary because the risk of m/c from the amnio would be greater than the risk of either of these defects.  Before these tests, using my age at due date (38y) my overall risk was about 1:80.  Now as you can see my risk is actually much much less.  This test obviously does not check everything....some things like spina bifida can be check by a blood test in the second trimester and by the level 2 ultrasound.  These screens are mainly for people who are on the fence about amnio and it is an attempt to push you to one side or the other.  It does not give you a definite yes or no answer of that is what you are looking for.  Bets of luck to everyone!

by shesherm, Jul 29, 2007 08:16AM
Lisa, YIPEE :O) I knew all was well.  I'm so happy your numbers are so GREAT.  When are you back to the DR?  I go next Tues  for bloodwork ugh...have a great week ((Sheila))

by mlb1234, Jul 29, 2007 08:42AM
To: shesherm
i don't go back until august 10th.  that appt will just be a standard OB appt - pee in a cup, weight, blood pressure and doppler I assume.  Good luck on Tuesday!!!

by shesherm, Jul 29, 2007 10:18AM
yeah that is what I am assuming will happen at my appt  on the 7th.  Are you still using the doppler?  I'm still debating getting one it seems like forever between U/S and since I cant feel movement yet I get a little anxious at times.

by mlb1234, Jul 29, 2007 02:07PM
yeah I still have it and use it occasionally - mostly when I feel cramps or something else that makes me nervous.  overall though I am not worried at all - I can find the hb every time.  It is nice to have the doppler for in between appts.  It is very reassuring for when you need it!  Once I feel movement I might send it back but for now I will keep it.

by anxiousmomtobe?, Jul 30, 2007 09:14AM
To: mlb
Those are great results....

I had the triple screen with this baby and with my ds now 3.5, it certainly eased my mind and kept me from having amnio.

Hope you have an easy pregnancy.

by jifnif, Jul 30, 2007 11:33AM
congrats on such great numbers...i have to ask everyone though.....does everyone over 35 get these tests???  I didnt w/ my ds who is 11mths.  I was scared to death and I don't think I am going to get them this time around either.  My dh wants me to but I do not want the worry if something is possibly wrong.  I dunno, maybe I am wrong to feel that way but I just feel more relaxed w/ no tests.  Does anyone else feel like that???

by mlb1234, Jul 30, 2007 09:41PM
To: jifnif
no, no, you NEVER have to take a test if you do not want to - they are all elective.  i did not want to test either but now i am glad we did.  My husband wanted to test and I just felt I needed to consider his feelings too because this baby is half his and it also affects his life, not only my own.  Just because I am carrying the baby doesn't make his opinion any less significant in my mind.  Since these tests were totally noninvasive I figured it couldn't hurt anything.  
Also I read a post which said if your child has spina bifida it is very important to  find out because 1.) they can fix it  2.) they can have the appropriate doctors there when you deliver and 3.) you would have to have a c- section as a vaginal birth can be dangerous if the baby has this condition.  
Also although I hate to mention this, my sister had a trisomy 18 baby at 8 months(stillborn).  she had no idea it had trisomy 18 beforehand and it was not genetically linked.  most babies with this condition either die in utero, are stillborn or live for only a week or so.  very few live longer than that.  it was quite traumatic and although I do not know what I would have done had they found it, it is a relief to know she doesn't have it (or has a very small likelihood of having a trisomy).  We all make decisions based on our experiences and this was why I made mine.  Best of luck.

by camorosa, Mar 31, 2008 07:01PM
To: mlb1234
Dear mlb1234

I'm 39 years old with a due date that is 2 months shy of my 40th Bday.  I just got my test results for Down: 1/2700 and trisomy 18: 1/100000 and felt great until I consulted with a friend that's also pregnant.  She is 33 years old and said her results were 1/100000 for Down.  I don't know if she is mistaken but I feel less confident now.  I wish I had never asked because I was quite content with my numbers.   Do you know where I can find a table that will assist me?

by SSS123, Apr 28, 2008 11:17PM
To: mlb1234
I am 37 years old and will be 39 soon. I am pregnant with my first child and 9 weeks pregnant. My doctor told me that regardless of the results of first trimester screening (FTS) tests, my age alone can skew the odds in favour of my baby being at a high risk for DS or Trisomy 18. But from reading the other posts it does not seem to be the case. She made it sound like i should sign up for the CVS right away. I am really confused. Can the FTS bring the risk of an abnormality down regardless of my age?

Sam

by adgal