A real concern or not?

[~Kim~]

Research is the best way.

I had a 1:200 risk with DS. No-one offered an amnio. They did know however from before the testing that it wouldn't have changed my mind.
You can ask for an earlier scan than 20 weeks (16 usually) to check for soft markers if you're still unsure.

[sloane]

i would definitely do some more research & don't feel pressured into doing either a CVS or amnio.

fwiw, this time i had a 1:291 risk of DS. the scan was pretty good & it was the bloods that pushed the result (just) into high risk. the dr who did the scan was very good at explaining everything to me & said the most important thing was not to panic as the results weren't really that bad. i spoke further with my GP & he was very consistent with what the Dr had told me. i chose to have a CVS because that is just me - i HAD to know and i would have been very uncomfortable waiting to find out. my DP thought it was a little crazy given that the risk of miscarriage was actually higher from having the procedure than the risk of DS (something else to consider).

when we went in for the CVS the doctor said to me that 'we're pretty sure everything is ok but you're here just be 100% sure?' which summed it up beautifully for me - that is what i needed to do to be comfortable. ETA: i rested for the rest of the day after the CVS & took it pretty easy for 24 hours. i was perfectly fine (so far & it was a little over 10 weeks ago now i think) & didn't have spotting or any bleeding etc.

i think it's very wrong for anyone to be making you feel pressured into having a procedure that comes with its own risks (although apparently largely dependent as well on the person actually doing the procedure).

do whatever you & your DH feel is the right choice for you.

[Bloom]

For DS1 I had a 1 in 350 risk and I was only 27. I didn't even consider an amnio as I know for sure I would not terminate and i didn't want to risk a miscarriage.

A friend ha a 1 in 10 risk of Downs and other conditions. They had also a cleft palate. The OB wanted her to do a Amnio as it would make his job and the paed's job easier if they knew what they were going to be dealing with when the baby was born. My friend said tough and didn't get the CVS.

A friend from mothers group chose to do a CVS and she started leaking fluid (despite it being performed by the best specialist for this procedure in our city). She said she lost her tummy and was on bed rest for a week. The pregnancy is continuing so far and the CVS was clear. I just can't imagine her grief if she'd lost her baby.

[Mumma T]

I just rang the OB that did the scan and calculated the risk etc and I am not even in the increased risk catagory, now I am even more confused as to why I would even be offered the options. I think I will call the hospital OB clinic on Monday and speak to someone with all our questions. I know they have genetic councillers we can see too if need be.

Thanks again everyone, your support is really appreciated.

[Miss.B]

Hi hun. When I got pg the first time I was already 38. I can't remember what my result was at the 12 week mark, but it was OK, but I do remember my OB saying that for my age, anything above 200 is good. He did say that there is a very small chance that I could miscarry a healthy pg if I went ahead with the amnio, so he said 'why risk it when you went to all the trouble with IVF alrerady' ? I trusted him and went ahead with the pg, and I had a healthy baby (although I lost my first LO to an unrelated problem). I guess your OB could be swaying on the 'cautious' side as risks rise when you've over 35, but it seems to me like he is overly cautious. I think 1:350 is pretty good hun. Weigh up everything you've been told so far, ask more questions if you need to, and then make an informed decision that feels 'right' for you. GL hun xox

[LionsandBears]

I should have mentioned talking to a genetic counsellor! Yes, do that first.

[LuluHB]

I recently had my nuchal fold and at 41 was worried too. I was told that they wouldn't recommend an amnio unless I came back with worse numbers than 1:300.

Don't feel bad for not knowing what you would do. I felt the same way and I imagine we're not the only ones who would struggle with the decision.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do.

[Bex]

My sister was given a 1:42 chance & had the amnio. She was so stressed & had to have some hard conversations with her partner.
In the end it was a lot of stress for nothing. Perfect gorgeous child!

Do what you want to do & don't be pressured into something.

Best of luck.

[jacklicky]

I was offered both the Amino and CSV after both of my NT scans. My first preg at 36 was either 375 or 725 (Im bad I cant remember) and they said although that was technically low risk they would still 'encouraged' me to do them due to my age.....I declined and they were fine. This time I was 39 when we got preg and my result was 1185 again I was offered the amino or CSV....again I declined....I think sometimes they just do it to ensure they have covered themselves....Luckily both of my doctors suggesting the tests were perfectly fine when I said no. They just re-iterated that there is still a chance no matter how slight...and made sure I understood that.

Goodluck with your talk on Monday!