Down Syndrome

[mylilangle]

I am having the down syndrome testing done on the 22nd December and was just woundering if anyone can tell me what they do??:P

[visitor2]

Hi mylilangle,

What test are you having done the CVS or amnio ?
Have they not got you to speak to a genetic counsellor to explain what goes on and how long it takes for your results to get back ?
What was your results after your NF scan ?

I had a amnio done at 16wks and what they do is a scan and then while doing the scan the OB sticks a needle into your belly and draws some amnio fluid to send away for testing. This all can take 15mins to do but only a few mintues with the needle. I had to wait two weeks for my results but i know some will offer the FISH ones it just depends on what they see at the scan.

[mylilangle]

Thanks Caro didn't even notice I did that

[amberdee]

I'm also having the NFT scan on the 22nd! I'm really looking forward to finally knowing whether all is ok.
A question though - when I booked in with my ob for the scan, the receptionist mentioned that the ob prefers to do a vaginal scan as it's clearer/more accurate. It this the normal practice? I'm told I don't have to have the scan done vaginally, but I guess if it's likely to be more accurate I'm happy to.

[~Amy~]

I had the NFT with Mya, but was never told about a vaginal scan. Hmm maybe it is normal practice & i just wasn't told. Good luck anyways

[Emma1979]

i had the NFT and it was quite simple and i liked the fact that the sonographer confirmed on the spot 'yes all looks good' etc, so i knew everything was heading in the right direction.
haven't heard of a vaginal scan though.... aaagh the joys of pregnancy.

[Karina]

When I had my NT scan they did it the usual way and didnt even mention anything about a vaginal one. I thought they only did it that way if it was really ealy, though they did stress to me the importance of having a full bladder so the scan could be done properly.. maybe if your bladder is not full enough and they cant see baby well they might want to do it vaginally? But then again, i didnt have a fullbladder at all and they did the scan just fine.

any how, hope the scan goes well! I loved seeing our beatiful bubba for the first time! Its just the best.

[DoulaRelle]

Girls I have had to have a vaginal scan at 12 weeks when the picture has not been clear enough to get the measurement. If you are a bigger person, sometimes they need to do the internals.

They do try the external first though, and then depending on that they may need to do a vaginal

[Michelle71]

I had a NT on Monday - abdominal and vaginal because I have a retroverted (backward tilted) uterus. It was also needed because *alf* is a stubbourn bubba and refused to be in the correct position so we are back next Monday to try again

Usually you only need te abdominal view.

[Ca Plane Pour Moi]

I have a retroverted uterus and an uncooperative baby, but they still managed it with just the abdominal scan. I was told at 12w a retroverted uterus made no difference - even at 9w the only difference it made was they had to press down a bit harder on my full bladder!

[clare076]

Yep, me too. Retroverted and never had a vaginal scan. Seems rather odd that by 12 weeks you would need a vaginal scan. I also thought it was only used until around 8 weeks, but obviously there are situations were it is used later on.

Anyway, back on track. All the best with your NT scan it's awesome because your baby actually finally resembles a baby, not a splodge on the screen.

[Debbie Lee]

I've declined all scans/tests for Downs. Just don't think it's necessary for me.

[Kar]

Mylilangle
At 27 you are very unlikely to have anything wrong - but has anyone sat down and asked you what you will be doing if things don't turn out well?

Debbie Lee reminds me of something very important. You should ONLY have these tests you are prepared to make a decision about what to do in the event that something is wrong. Your caregiver should be explaining this to you BEFORE you have the tests.

If you have any concerns at all that you might not be able to make a hard decision in the event something is drastically wrong - then talk to your caregiver about skipping the test. It's not compulsory.

On the other hand a positive result can give you immeasurable peace of mind!

[Ngala]

Is there a certain time that you go in to do the downs testing?? Cause I see my m/w for first time at 13wks and then I go and see my doctor some time after that. I have heard it should be done around 12wks, shall I go to my doctor to get a referral??

[Kar]

Ngala - speak with your midwife - the idea time is before 13w6days. My Ob was very fussy about making sure it was as close to that date as possible and I had to have the blood test and the u/s on the same day. Others are less strict and you can have bt earlier so that results are in when you have U/S. They multiply both results together to give you a probability. Mine was 1 in 475. For my age group the average is 1 in 84 (I was 39 when I had it done) which means my results were really good for my age. Women under 30 have a 1 in 10,000 or something amazingly low. HTH.

[Ngala]

Thanks Kar and Fletch for the information.
We do want to do the downs test (as well as see our bub!!) I might go and see my dr in the new yr to get a referral as he is going on holidays soon.

[Debbie Lee]

Family history is no indication of risks for Downs Syndrome, as it's a genetic mutation not a genetically passed down trait. So deciding not to have the scan because of no family history is false logic.

My friend was told she'd have to have an amnio because her cousin has downs syndrome?? How frustrating that people are still told that family history has something to do with it. I know I was told that too.

[Debbie Lee]

Ohh ok.
Can the amnio show the severity of downs syndrome? What if it's only a mild case? Just curious.