quad test-screen positive result

[oceanv]

For once in this pregnancy it would have been nice to have had a normal result for something!!!!

Got called into the OB today because she got the results of my quad testing.
.5% chance of Down's syndrome, being referred to genetic counselling and to decide on amnio.

We found out yesterday by ultrasound that we're having a girl. That made the pregnancy seem more real (more so for my husband than me since its been semi-real for a while now) but makes the amnio and its risks and potential actions/decisions after the amnio even more stressful after watching her wave her arms and feet around.

I'm going to get the amnio i'm pretty sure because I don't have the type of personality that could tolerate 20 weeks of worrying about the chromosomes of the baby, I already have enough potential problems to deal with from the gd and potential onset of bp problems (for me).

Age39
GD @ 14 Weeks, being controlled (still working on doses) by insulin

J

[LisaRG]

Hello,
I wish I could convince you that everything will be ok, but even if I was God, I know you would still worry - it goes with the joy of being pregnant,
I remember when I was pg with my DD at 41.  We passed the Nuchal u/s, but failed the blood test which came back for possible downs - it was a week before the amnio which I planned anyway.  I prayed for 7 days non stop.  Those blood tests/ markers SUCK.
My DD was born a healthy 7 pound baby and today she is a healthy happy somewhat spoiled 4 year old.  
I am thinking about you and sending you good wishes!
Lisa

[oceanv]

I'm not sure about why a pos at .5% i guess cut-off is 1 in 300, i scored 1 in 220.
Here in British Columbia you can't have a paid for amnio unless you are 40 or over or you have a positive on the quad screen.  I guess ultimately they offer the amnio to you but its up to you whether or not you think that .5% is worth the risk.  My Doctor said the risks of the amnio are about 1 in 300 but the papers she gave me said 1 in 200.

Depending on the hour of the day I think .5% is pretty improbable that the baby will have downs but on the other hand no other thing has gone my way in this pregnancy so I feel slightly cursed and so then I feel like I should just know for sure. My husband wants to know for sure but he says its ultimately up to me because I'll be the one with the needle going through my belly.  I really don't have the personality to deal with unknowns (the wait and see and wait for everything of pregnancy is enough to drive me nutty), they also get information on the presence or not of the other trisomies which are not tested for on the quad screen.  The good news is I have a 1 in 5300 chance of a neural tube defect - yay for something.

The comment on the bottom of the report said "the risk of down is lower than that expected from the maternal age alone" my doctor kind of said that you they get the result, then they do adjustments based on age and other factors and you get your rating so for a person of my age to get a non positive result you'd have to start with a fabulous number (before the age adjustment).

[kellym]

That is so scary, I'm so sorry you are feeling such worry. I'm also wondering why .5 would be considered a +. I know they do it by %'s but it just seems sooo low.  I will keep  you in my prayers the next couple of weeks.

[adgal]

I know what you mean...it would be so great for everything to just go smoothly, wouldn't it.  And you have been through the ringer my friend.  However, if your going to have a positive quad, .5% is the best it can get, and those are fantastic odds!!  I am like you, and I already know I will be doing amnio if there is any reason whatsoever to suspect a problem.  I agree, this whole pregnancy thing is full of worries, but we just have to stay positive and most times things turn out just fine.  That being said, I wish they could come up with a safe way to just knock me out the entire first trimester....maybe the whole pregnancy...lol.  Hang in there, your going to be ok!!  

[rdh1981]

I agree with the other ladies!!! .5% does not seem that high at all to me.  But on the other hand I totally understand why you are so upset and rightfully so. You are dealing with so much on top of that and sadly sometimes it seems when it rains it pours.

I truly feel like after you get your amino results  back you will feel much better. The amino itself is not that bad, just keep your eyes on the ultrasound screen and it will be over before you know it!

Just stay focused on the positive, you have a beautiful little girl growing inside of you!!!!!

Please keep us updated!!!!

Rachel

[oceanv]

Ya,
I know .5% is low for actually getting it and I've thought the same thing myself when reading other people's posts about their results but for some reason :O it just feel different when its your own result. I guess the amnio can tell us for sure, but the risks are sure worrisome.  Oh well, hopefully they call with the genetic appt and amnio appt and I can get it over with.  Originally when they called I thought they were going to tell me like 50% or something so we did feel better about .5%.  Pregnancy is just so worrisome from day 1.  
J

[melimeli]

.5 isn't that big...  99.5% that everything is great!

[youme123]

Oh I am so sorry for how you are feeling.  I can't imagine having to deal with GD and then a positive Quad.  I remember with DS how nerve wracking the quad was to begin with (as well as the glucose and bp screens).  It is scary for us 35+ers, isn't it?  I'm 37 now and pg for the third time (had a loss in March) :(  I am terrified all the time and haven't even had my first visit yet! (next week).  Anyway, I'm glad you come here for support.  We don't know each other, but we can come to each other for support.  Hang in ther.  .5% doesn't sound like a high percentage to me, and my DH is a statistics guy, and he woudl think it's very low, too.  But, I'm sure the mere thought is frightening.  Good luck with your amnio, as I'm sure it will be fine.  My SIL had one done last year at age 41, and all was totally well.  The one thing I did hear is that most problems (if any occur) would occur within 24 hours after the procedure, and the risk is extremely low.  If it will help you through the rest of your pg, then by all means, do what will make you most comfortable.  I will be thinking of you...