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1008869 tn?1283961257

NT Screen back..1 in 8 chance of DS, devasted

Ok...just got a call from the DR, she said " NT screen came back abnormal and have a 1 and 8 chance of a down sydrome baby".  The actual scan numbers were normal but blood work was not good.

Has anyone else had these numbers...I need some feedback.

Option is to go for an amnio next week...
20 Responses
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1041961 tn?1274660914
Hi Courtney

I can only imagine how you felt--and feel--when you got the results. Hearing odds like that is incredibly alarming. But, like the other ladies said, there is still a good chance (the odds are still in your favor) that your little one will be born completely healthy and absolutely fine.

Cry if you need to, post when you want to (we're here for you), and know that our best wishes are with you both. Sending positive thoughts your way!

Hugs,
Bonnie
Helpful - 0
847328 tn?1289783114
I AM GOING THRU THE SAME THING RIGHT NOW!!   My numbers were 1:32 so I went to the high risk doctor and talked to the genetic couselor.  The Genetic counselor was really the coolest level headed common sense person I have met in my pregnancy yet!  So we had a nice long talk, and then I talked to the Dr.  It seemed like he is all about the test...but he did not push me

So what we are doing is waiting for the SECOND blood test and then that will give us a new number and we will make a decision there.  If you asked me at this time right now, I would say NO to amnio because I am carrying twins which means TWO Amnios!!  

I will tell you right now I have a friend who was 42 and hers came back as 1:10 and she had a perfectly healthy baby boy!!!  Remember, if you are older, they are going to factor in your age, and this a a statistical analysis, not a guaranteed bonafide test.  Only you know in your heart what you want to do.  

I'll keep in touch and see how things go for you (and me!)
Chris

Helpful - 0
674725 tn?1367439630
I'm sorry you're going through all this stress.  My sister in law was worried about her daughter having DS because of her NT tests.  They decided to go ahead anyway and now this little girl is one smart sassy chick. THese results are not definitive many get false positives.  Try to relax and not stress out more.  Good luck - fingers crossed for you - not that you need it !
Helpful - 0
216278 tn?1308861082
The other thing (to add to all the wonderful advice already posted) is there are a NUMBER of reasons that the bloodwork can be off in an NT screen. If you search on Google, 'false positives of NT screening', I think that's the phrase...you will get a TON of information.

Let's say that the doctors marked that you were 12 weeks and 3 days (for an example) on the records. If you're baby is measuring big, say 12 weeks 5 days, he/she could have more of the proteins or whatever that they are searching for so the test comes back skewed.....

Amanda is absolutely dead-on RIGHT!! The lack of physical markers is the more important thing and you have NONE of them!!  I know it's impossible to 'relax' and to be honest, I HATED when people told me that (I'm 25 weeks and there are still days that I am panicking...), but do try to do something nice for yourself and try to take your mind off of the results.

Wishing you the very best!!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Pum
I'm sorry you are having to deal with this worry and stress. My best friend had a 1/7 result come back based on the NT scan (not sure we do the blood tests in the backwater where I live) and she had a long wait until 16 weeks when she did amnio. They also did a highly detailed heart scan as that can sometimes give a thick neucal fold?? Anyway her little boy is now 2 months old and didn't have DS or anything wrong with his heart.
If I am lucky enough to get pregnant again and to make it that far I'm sure I will get a bad reading due to my age.
My sister is profoundly (the technical term) intellectually disabled. I won't lie and say it is an entirely wonderful thing but she has a pretty great life in many ways. I believe you will deal well with whatever the result is and the odds are still stacked way in your favour.
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
I just wanted to share with you some things I learned when I got my 1:13 risk.  First off, more often then not, there are physical markers with DS.  Lack of nasal bone, thicker then normal nucheal fold and something to do with the femur bone (shorter then normal I think).  In the first trimester screen ultrasound, they should be able to tell you about the nasal bone, and I know you said your babies nucheal fold was normal. So this is a really positive sign.

When the higher risk comes back due to blood work (it was the same for me), what they are actually measuring is the ratio between free beta and the other hormone (again, can't remember the name, but it should be on your test result).  They factor that in with your age.  So, if you have a really high number with one of the hormones, and a low number with the other, and you are 40, it's going to come back high risk.  Apparantly the timing of the test has an awful lot to do with it too.  

The lack of physical markers is a really positive thing and I would seriously bet money on the fact that your level 2 shows all is perfectly fine.  Keep in mind that even for women in our "higher risk" age group, very few babies are actually born with DS.  It's just not that common.  I hate to say this, but most babies conceived with a chromosonal abnormality miscarry in the first few weeks of pregnancy.  You are past the "danger" zone now, and it's only the blood work that is increasing that risk, combined with your age.  Pretty good odds for you I think.  The first trimester screen does not in any way indicate something is wrong, it simply let's you know your risk factor.   XOXO
Helpful - 0
958842 tn?1266512599
Oh hun, I' m sure it's been a couple of really emotional days for you;-/  I often sort of "prepare" myself that IF I do get pg again & deliver a baby, I will have a good chance (statistically anyway) that I could very possibly have a DS baby, & I' ok w/it.  Doesn't mean that I WANT to have a baby w/some problems, but the way I feel about it is that I feel strongly that there's a little guy who is meant to be in our family, & he/she will come to us exactly the way they are supposed to;)
I never had any testing done w/any of my 3 kiddos, & they DO offer the SAME tests to younger moms (I was 27,29 & 33) but we always declined!  The only test I ever did was the yucky glucose test, & the normal 20 week US.  IF we are blessed again, I will do the same.  Being pregnant for me is worry enough, no need to add the "maybe something is wrong" just so I can be another stat!  They're not even accurate anyway, unless you do the amnio or that early one, what's it called CV something?
It's just not for me.  Hang in there;)  I'm sure all is well
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hello there:  The last time I was pregnant 10 yrs ago with my twins I had a scare also.  When I went for my 1st trimester screening the numbers came out really high that one of the babies had spinal biffitar (spelling) so that scared the **** out of me.  The docs suggested for me to have an amino just for peace of mind so I did and the babies were just fine.  They were born early so my son has some developmental issues but my daughter is perfectly fine.  Now I am pregnant with twins again but my hubby and I know what happened the last time when we took that 1st trimester screening so we didn't have it done yet b/c we knew it would come back high so I have to go to a high risk doc and have the back of the babies heads checked to see if there are any abnormalities at all.  My husband and I don't want to get the amino this time b/c it was so stressful last time.  My husband also says that these doctors just want to cover their own *****.  I hope my info helps you.  Good luck and keep us posted.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had 1:39 downs which is not the same as 1:8 I know but they were still devastating numbers to me at the time.  I declined amnio.  My baby is fine!!!! These are not absolute tests! The odds are still in your favor even with those numbers.  
Helpful - 0
1076696 tn?1283029725
Yes, follow your heart on this one!

I JUST had this conversation travelling back home last night, with a friend who was given the worst possible odds about her pregnancy at around 16-18 weeks. At literally the last minute she decided to leave the hospital, and consulted with her midwife, who discovered that she was the one who was "abnormal." In that, without even realising it, she wasn't taking sufficient care of her nutrition, so her results were off kilter. She went on a much better diet (including more whole milk, but I don't recall what else she mentioned). Today her 8-year-old son is absolutely perfect. Well--no, he's a total terror, but he's an 8-year-old boy.
Helpful - 0
1008869 tn?1283961257
MLB,
putting that percentage on it (12.5%) makes me feel soooooo much better...that number actually looke better!

Either way...will be fine.

I also had 1:23 for trisomy is anyone is wondering...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Please don't be devastated, regardless of the tests you will be blessed with a beautiful baby who was meant to be in your life!!  1:8 is still only a 12.5% chance so the odds are very likely that everything is fine.  Sometimes I think these tests just cause a lot of worry for pregnant moms and nothing more.  Follow your heart.  
Helpful - 0
1008869 tn?1283961257
Prevatt..

YES...the nasal bone was present...DR said ultrasound numbers came back "fine"...! Just my bloodtest was "abnormal"

No, won't make a difference in my decision...just want to be prepared.  Which I can get more info with the Level 2 and go from there.
Helpful - 0
480331 tn?1310403529
Ditto to exactly what Prevatt77 said!
Helpful - 0
951946 tn?1263565383
((((((Courtcoop)))))

Crossing my fingers for you. Since the outcome won't change your decision to keep the baby then you're definitely doing the right thing. I agree wholeheartedly with Amanda that the absence of any physical markers is a great thing.
Helpful - 0
503649 tn?1304357466
That is what I did.  I didn't have either one, I waited for my ultrasound and then asked my perinatologist if he saw any reasons for me to get an Amino and he said NO.  He also asked me "What would you do with the results, would your ternimate" and I said no, so I answered my own question.  Follow your heart, some people want to know and some it doesn't make a difference.  Did they see the nasal bone on your first ultrasound?
Helpful - 0
1008869 tn?1283961257
Thanks girls...I just finished crying all morning.

Finding out will not change the fact I am keeping this baby regardless.

I am not having the CVS nor Amnio.

We are waiting for the Level 2 which will be in 4 weeks....

Thanks Girls.....cross fingers

Helpful - 0
1052300 tn?1262940306
Hi.

I have not bene through this personally- but I just wanted to remind everyone to take lab results with a grain of salt. They aren't always RIGHT.

Best Wishes!
Helpful - 0
377493 tn?1356502149
Mine were 1:13, also based on bloodwork.  I did the amnio for the peace of mind and he is just fine.  I always think that if they had come out and told me that the odds my baby were fine was 12:13 I probably wouldn't have worried.  Remember this is a screen and nowhere near a diagnostic test.  It only determines risk factor, nothing more.  

Your little one has no physical markers...that is a really good sign that all is well.  You have the option for diagnostic testing if you choose to.  Hang in there Court, I'm betting your baby is just fine....
Helpful - 0
216278 tn?1308861082
There are a LOT of women on this site who have had 'not good' NT results and their baby was perfectly fine!!

An amnio is a very personal decision and I can't offer you any advice on that. I was fortunate that I did not have to go through that decision-making process (DH and I were NOT on the same page if the results of our genetic testing had been borderline or 'bad')


I'm sorry that you are having to go through this and I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.  Also,  try to remember that the numbers the doctor gave you also mean that you have 7 out of 8 chances of having a very healthy normal baby!

Good luck!
Helpful - 0
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