Abnormal AFP

[ladycruz2007]

Hello all. I am new here and i am 27years old. I had the AFP (triple test) routine test on April 24th when i was about 16 weeks along. Currently i am 18 weeks.  My doctor called me and said that it came back with an increased risk and that i have a 1 out of 124 chance. I really dont know what all these terms mean, all i know is that im scared to death and very very worried. I havent slept and i know that no matter what happens i will continue with this pregnancy. My husband and i tried to have a baby for two years so there is no way that i will even thinka bout terminating it. Anyway, i am scedhuled to have an amniocentesis done this friday May 9th at 12pm. I really want to do to because although i plan to continue with the pregnancy, i do need to prepare myself mentally and emotionaly and i also want to be able to look into specialists and all that stuff if indeed my little girl is DS. Im so sorry that im rambling my mouth. I guess i just want to know if anyone else around my age has ever gone through this. I know that usually this is normal for woman 35 and over but i guess im confused because we both have healthy backgrounds and this came as a shocker to us. Does this mean because i am 27 and too young to test positive for AFP that my baby will definitely be DS? I dont know what to think and im just really lost and worried. I dont understand why the AFP came out with an increased risk if im 27 years old.

[whitlack]

I would not worry.  There tend to be a lot of false positives.  In fact a  lot of people decline the test for that reason.  I would question the amnio.  My friend's test came high and they wanted to send her for an amnio but she refused so they sent her for a very thorough ultrasound and everything looked great!!!  It was a false positive!!!  There are abnormalities seen in children with ds when seen on an u/s so I would request that first.  I admire you for not wanting to terminate the pregnancy either way!!!  I am actually gonna decline that test b/c I am like you I would never consider ending my pregnancy.  If the ultrasound came back and there were still questions, I would think about the amnio just so you know for sure what is going on and what you may have to deal with.  Good luck and keep us updated.  Also there is a risk involved when having an amnio that you could miscarry.  I would def. do some research before you let them do something that may be unnecessary.

[Rach1717]

I agree with whitlack, the test is notorious for false positives. My friend was given similar numbers to you for both her pregnancies and refused to have amnio and had a healthy baby each time. Definitely worth doing more research or asking for the ultrasound test to help put your mind at ease. Good luck.

Rachel x

[tazdevil1]

i agree with the previous 2 posters. i refused the test because first of all, it doesnt tell you the severity and you have to go through more tests to try to find out, and second of all because i'm not gonna terminate the pregnancy.  i can see worrying if you have previous children with issues, and then you get another high probability test, but not if you've never had anything wrong.  my cousin had a baby that tested to have spina bifida, and when she was born, it was so slight that you cannot even tell. so you are worrying for nothing, if you love this child you will love it no matter how it comes out and with whatever problems it may have.  good luck with everything and try not to worry yourself silly!!

[ladycruz2007]

So tomorrow is the big day. Im really scared and nervous out of my mind! My husband really thinks we should go ahead with the amnio and i decided to do it. As i mentioned before...no matter the outcome, i still love my little girl to death and no one or nothing can ever change that. I just really hope its a false positive and i will definitely keep you guys updated. I will still be reading away so you guys can continue posting to my questions. The answers really do help and words of encouragement are always good to hear! Thanks to all of you!! ;)

[ladycruz2007]

I just wanted to update you guys and let you know that the amnio was done. It really wasn't as bad as i thought, thank god!  I'm feeling ok. I was completely off my feet yesterday and today ive been in and out of the bed. No cramping or anything. Now i just have to sit tight and wait for the results...very nerve wrecking! Ill keep you guys posted!!

[Rach1717]

Glad your feeling well. Fingers crossed for good results! Keep us posted.

Rachel x

[whitlack]

I pray you get good results.  Let us all know.

[mj_mommy_manda]

I had the triple screen done with this pregnancy also because I have had  miscarriages in the past and I carry a 14th chromosome trisomy.  My down syndrome results came back 1 in 9,000 but that was because of a combination of my age range (18) and how the baby looked in U/S.  Just because they see something in U/S though proves nothing and even with the amnio.  It may not be 100% accurate because my aunt's best friend was told that she was carrying a baby with DS after having an amnio done.  She went on with the pregnancy and after the baby was born was amazed to learn that it had absolutly no symptoms of DS.  The baby is now a 7 year old healthy beautiful girl.  I hope everything goes fine for you because I know how it feels to go through the worrying.  My issue is a little bit different because it has to do with a 14th chromosome defect, I dont remember the name of the disease but basically the part in the brain that tells you you're full after you eat doesnt work and so they have uncontrollable eating urges to the point where they will dig through a garbage can to find food.  Parents end up locking up cupboards, patries, and refridgerators.  Its just an all around bad condition.  And with my blood testing my chances came back 1 in 200 or about 1/2% that the baby would have the disease.  Although Im scared to death I wont get the amnio because #1 it does have a small risk of miscarriage and I believe I have gone through enough of that and #2 there is no way that I would ever abort my pregnancy.  So its a touchy subject and a very stressful thing to go through but Im keeping my hopes up and your in my thoughts too.  I hope everything goes well for you.

[ladycruz2007]

Hello Everyone!! I hope you guys enjoyed your memorial day weekend! I wanted to let you all know that i got my Amnio results back on Friday the 23rd and they came back negative! I feel alot more relieved and of course stress free! I thank you all for your support and comments during that stressful period...

[ChrisHealy]

That's wonderful.  What a relief!  Now you can enjoy your pregnancy!

[jesslee83]

how awesome! congrats!
ya i said no to the testing.....this baby wasn't being terminated no matter what! so i figured why bother? i've had 2 maybe 3 miscarraiges, and fiance and i agreed this was the only baby, cos he has 2 already,so there's no way i was going to have to worry about something being wrong!!

but i'm so happy for you! what's your due date?