Worried, waiting for results

Hiya,

Being in New Zealand we are so behind the times that we have our NT scans at 12 weeks, bloods taken at 15 weeks and then have to wait another 10 days to get the results of our risk ratio.

I'm 5 days into the 10 day wait and it's driving me nuts, I just want the answer so I know if I have to brace myself for the risk of amnio or not. I've been told the risk of miscarriage is 1 in 100 but also 1 in 200, does anyone know which it is?

Im 37 (just) so my age is against me and my paternal grandmother had a downs baby (I'm not sure if this will affect my results or not) so I'm terrified.
When I had the scan the sonographer said that she could see absolutely nothing to concern her, the NF measurement was 1.6mm which she said was good so I know I should just focus on that but it's easier said than done.

Sorry to moan but my husband doesn't really want to hear it, he will just deal with what happens when it happens which is fine but doesn't really help me now.

Thanks for listening,
Cheers Missy

Hi Missy,

I know how you feel with the waiting game, we had to wait for our results over the xmas period and I made myself sick stressing about it.
It is harder said than done but all you can do is think positive and wait the next 5 days out...
I did other baby related things to keep my mind off it (research the furniture you want for the nursery, make a list of baby names u like, consider other thing you might need once the baby arrives) try and pass the time the best way you can doing whatever you can to keep your mind occupied.

I am sure you will be fine. All the best and Good Luck with the results.

The risks quoted for loss of pregnancy following prenatal testing is 1/100 for CVS (which is performed earlier) and 1/200 for amnio. As doctors are getting more proficient, the risks are probably getting lower.

Down Syndrome is not usually inherited. A small number of people do have increased familial risk, but in most cases having a person with Down syndrome in your family tree does not increase the chance of your baby being affected.

If you want more info on familial increased risk i can explain further, but it is pretty rare so probably not something you have to worry about.

Thank you so much for your replies, I really appreciate it I guess it just makes me feel not so alone.
I feel better about the 1/200 ratio for amnio thanks for that.
Missy

HI Missy,

We just had our NT scan at 12 weeks with bloods at 11 weeks. I am 38 and our results were given to us at the scan. That would be horrid having to wait that long for the ratio! Your nuceal fold measureent is really good! Ours measured at 2.8 :wall:. So we are having an amnio (YUK). My OB told me that one of her other patients had a fold measurement of 3.54 recently, had the amnio and bubs is perfectly healthy! :D

Waiting is terrible.

Good luck with the ration but I think you will be absolutely fine.

Rachel

Hello everyone

I'm 32 and had my first scan on 15 Jan. The NT measurement was 3.8mm and the bloods supported a diagnosis of 1:2 Downs and 1:6 Trisomy 18 (very bad).

I was told that I would need an amnio to confirm the results, which I couldn't get until 18 Feb. So, I had 5 weeks wait until I could have the amnio.

In that time I insisted upon a second scan, which my original Dr poo-pooed. So, I went to another Dr who said that it was fine. He agreed that there are not always medical reasons for things.

Suddenly the NT measurement was 1.8mm. Completely different. Our odds went down to 1:230 for Downs, no T18 risk. The Dr was still not happy with the odds - they're not if they're under 1:300. So, after a COMPLETELY agonising and very lonely wait, I had the amnio. THEN I waited two weeks for the results, which I finally received this Wednesday just gone - NO DOWNS!!!

There is no magic pill for the pain you will be going through at the moment. One day I was good, one day I was bad. Even though I got the new diagnosis, I still had the first diagnosis in the back of my mind. Thank goodness for my Belly Buddies. So many times I was writing to them in absolute tears and despair from feeling lonely. My DH was very good, but didn't understand my anguish and the attachment I already had to our little boy.

I would also like to say that the miscarriage rates are based on worldwide figures. This includes countries like Great Britain and such. So, it is not necessarily an accurate representation of the success of amnios in Australia/NZ.

If I had to again, I would have another amnio. It's not a painful procedure and as long as you rest afterwards, you should be fine. It feels weird more than anything and is especially amusing if your DH/DP faints during the procedure because he decided to be a big man and watch. Well, he watched you first child come out of your jaxy, so this shouldn't be too bad. WRONG.

Good luck to you. Whatever you decide is right for you is the correct thing to do. Don't let people judge you - I had that.

Your odds are very good.

RommysMum, look at my first measurement - it's out of the ball park and I'm have a healthy bouncing baby boy in July. If either of you want to PM me, feel free. I'll listen to you and I understand EXACTLY what you're going through. The most important thing is to remember you are not alone and so many women seem to go through this. It's like a test of our mettle.

Congrats Evie!!I'm so pleased everything turned out so beautifully for you.

I just got my results and am unsure exactly how i feel at present. The first thing my midwife said was that the results were 'negative' for problems, that my result at full term will be 1 in 400 for downs and 1 in 2900 for the other thing? Given that I will be 37 when the baby is born so for my age alone will be 1 in 200 at full term does these sound reasuring?

The risk of miscarriage out weighs the risk of downs etc doesn't it?
Please any advice would be appreciated.

Missy

Hi Missy

I have just had my NT done (see above post) and was concerned that while I am 38 now I will be 39 in two weeks. I wondered if they had taken my "age" as 38 or nearly 39. I asked my OB who explained that they actually take your birth date and EDD and work out how old your egg was when it was fertilized! WOW. So nothing to do with how old you are when bubs is born - its how old your egg was when you got preg. Gets a bit complicated if you were IVF and used donor or frozen eggs etc.

So therefore your risk is 1:400 and that is considered low risk. Anything above 1:300 is low risk anything lower is high risk. The risk of mc with an amnio is around 1:200 but under a very experienced and skilled Dr it goes out more like 1:300 or 1:400.

So for me we have a risk of 1:103 for downs and a risk of mc 1:300ish as we are having an amnio with a highly regarded Dr who does this regularly.

Hope this helps. :)

Missya, WHAT are they talking about? What Rachel said is exactly right. It's based on the age of the egg when it was fertilised, not based on how old you'll be when you're full term. Your baby either has it or doesn't, it doesn't morph over time to create more chromosomes than necessary, just because of your age.

If your risk is now 1:400 and there are no chromosomal abnormalities detected, you are not going to have a Downs baby. That is not to say that there couldn't be something else wrong that cannot be detected by any of these tests - like autism or a generally cranky child 2 years from birth.

It sounds like they're just confusing you and giving you some twisted information. That's my opinion though, don't forget. I'm a bit peeved with the medical profession giving twisted, confusing and worrying information to people who don't understand what they're talking about.

Is there any way you can get some absolute "real person" clarification and not medical gobbldy gook?

Rachel, if you're with a reputable Dr and feel confident in their abilities, you won't regret having the amnio. I certainly don't.

Hi Evie,

Yes, I am going to have the amnio with a great Dr who is very experienced and comes highly recommended by my OB and my sons cardiac nurse who has worked with him in the amnio suite and seen him in action!

Only real concern is my history of irritable uterus and preterm labour so I will be taking three days in bed (DH taking a week off to look after me) instead of the usual 24 hours. Also, the amnio is booked for April Fools Day :doh:. Yes I am a bit superstitious!

We had an amnio with our DS who is now 4.5yrs old. That was when I was 33. This time we have decided to not find out the gender - want to leave some things a surprise this time.

Thanks for your support and I am glad your results were so good.

Rachel