To Have The Downs Scan

Hi All,

I am nearly 11 weeks pregnant (tomorrow) and my hubby and I don't want to get the downs test, I am only 22 and the risk is low for my age (hubby is 25) I have done the research and I've decided that for us this test isn't necessary fo me. Am I being ridiculous? should I just do the test and get it over and done with? I plan to have a normal 1 week scan to check the development etc but I'm not 100% on getting the downs test done, I wouldn't be able to terminate a pregnancy for religious reasons despite what "may" occur so is there any point of getting this scan done???

Cheers
Lisa

Hi Lisa,

My DH and I chose not to have the test done because whateve the result would have been we would have had the baby regardless. If as you say you are going to have the baby anyway, maybe it's not worth the stress? You are young and it is unlikely that you would have any probs anyway (not to say there is no risk of course!).

There is absolutely no reason why you should have to have the downs scan if you don't want to! It has always been an optional scan anyway, and if you know it will not change anything for you regardless of what you may find out, then there is no need to worry about it. It looks like you have already made your decision. :)

Lisa, truly there is no "right" answer to this. Only you and DP know what is right for you. If you feel that you don't need the test, then you don't. If on the other hand you would spend the next 5 months worrying about whether everything is ok or not if you don't have it, then perhaps you should have it. Some people choose to have the test even if they wouldn't terminate, just so that they could be prepared for an abnormality rather than having it "sprung" on them at the time of the birth. But it is a very individual thing. As you say you are at low risk being so young, so there is no need to have the test for any reason other that the fact that YOU think you should have it, or would feel better if you had it.

Good luck with your decision and your pg. I hope that your decision gives you peace of mind.

DH and i choose not have have it down for either of our kids because, like Kellie...would would have the baby regardless of what the test results were.

Hi Lisa, I never had it done for my babies because I would never terminate my pregnancy so it seemed rather pointless.
That said, I was tempted so that I could have a peek at my bubbas.
Even if you did get the test they need to do amnio to confirm which carries a risk of miscarriage. So if you got the test but then decided against amnio it's possible that you could carry a burden of worry during your pregnancy that you wouldn't have had without the test.
As Melanie has said, there's no "right" answer - only one that's right for you. I hope that hearing some other people's opinions helps you make a desicion that you're happy with :)

Lisa, I had the test because I'm older (35 and so in the 'risk bracket') but we talked a lot about it before we had it done. Lucky we did because we came in with a high risk result, and went on to have a CVS (good results). Both DH and myself agreed that Downs syndrome was not enough of a reason to terminate a pregnancy, but we would rather have the knowledge in advance of baby being born, in order to educate and prepare ourselves. On the other hand, there is a whole raft of other major genetic abnormalities (non Downs) that are detectible once you get to the CVS or amnio stage, that are likely to result in either a late miscarriage or stillbirth, and we preferred to know early on rather than remain blissfully unaware and then have a horrible surprise near the end of the pregnancy. Hope this helps with your decision.

HTH with your decision.

Hi Lisa, I had the test done both times as I'm an "older" Mum (36) but both times they came back with great results. If you don't want it then don't feel pressured to have it done, it's optional anyway.

I would however have the 18-20 week scan done as some abnormalities can be fixed while the baby is still in utero so it's advisable to do it. Having said that I don't mean there is anything wrong with your precious bundle it's just wise to check to make sure at the 18-20 week mark and then if anything needs to be done it can be.

Good luck with your bub, and don't be pressured by what other people think is "normal", do what you believe in and what your heart tells you is right for your little family.

I had the NT scan, even though I wasnt really in any risk category. I was 22 at the time, but I had it more for the reason that if there was something wrong then I might be able to find out and that would give me the chance to do as muchresearch as I can, join some support groups etc. I wouldnt have terminiated the pregnancy though.

Hi, I had the NT scan and bloods done and was placed in a very low risk category (I'm 38) and this is baby # 2 for me. I recently had the morphology scan and a small unilateral choroid plexus cyst was found in my baby's brain. It's a soft marker for chromosomal abnormalities, and after doing some extensive reading about this, these cysts are synonymous with Trisomy 18 (aka Edward Syndrome)which is similar to Downs Syndrome. I checked my NT report and I'm very low risk for the baby to be Trisomy 18...but the good thing is, they usually disappear.

I think at your age, you've got nothing to worry about, but if it sets your mind at ease, go ahead. I believe it's not rebatable from Medicare which bites. I paid $199.00 for my NT scan.

All the best with your pregnancy!!!

I think some of the cost is paid by Medicare. I had to pay for mine in full ($240) and I got about $80 or so back from medicare.

hello hope you dont mind me butting in but what apart from downs does this test show and is it just a scan & a blood test ??? thanks

The 12 week test measures the thickness of the fat at the back of bub's neck and that, combined with a blood test, gives them a result with the odds of having down's syndrome ie 1 in 20. If the results are high they will then do an amnio test or cvs test which gets some of bubba's DNA which can be used to test for downs and some other conditions such as cystic fibrosis. HTH

hello dachlostar
thanks for that,
do you know how long this has been around for ?(as I dont remember even hearing about it with my other bubs)
and how accurate is it ??
thanks again

Hello
I had my test done end of last week, was not really given a choice, I was just told to have these tests done by my OB, I am only 25 so was not concerned. When I realise what they were for I still went ahead with it, I think its torture not knowing if everything is OK, well that’s my personal experience. I would have kept the pregnancy regardless, but I think its more the mental preparation, and knowledge.
My results came back perfect and the scan was amazing, seeing little bubs.
This is you decision hun, I also wish you all the best with your pregnancy...

I agree with almost everyone. Having the test or not is entirely YOUR and DP's decision. For me, I had a NT scan and blood test done even though I knew my chance is very minimal. In a way, I did it for a peace of mind. The test was pretty expensive as it is not covered in Canada so I had to pay almost 400$ out of my pocket. If you don't feel the need to do it, then don't feel pressured because your age is considered a low risk group!

mumanddadof5, the scan and blood test are just a screening test, not diagnositic, so they just give you odds of having downs or other chromosonal abnormalities. They don't give you anything definite. This is why if the results are high risk (which depending on the doctor and your own situation, high risk could be anywhere from 1:6 to 1:300 or even more, it is an individual decision) a follow up diagnostic test, either amniocentisis or cvs is done. These tests are accurate but carry a risk of m/c. Many people choose to have the NT test as it can put your mind at rest if you get a result like 1:2000. But many women will get 1:20 or similar but have no problem, so this is a cause of stress as they need to decide on further testing and wait for it etc. So there are advantages and disadvantages to it.

I didn't have the Down's test. My doctor told us there is no point having it unless we were willing to terminate the pregnancy. There would be no way I would have been able to terminate the pregnancy so I decided not to have it done.

Good luck

I am having the tests (the initial Nuchal one that is, not the one where they take some fluid later in the pg).

We decided that we would coz there's no risk to the baby at this stage with a blood test and ultrasound, plus then we can see bub again on ultrasound.

I would never terminate either regardless of the result.

Thanks everyone, I've decided to go ahead with the tests

Hi, This is my second child. The only reason I am getting the test done was because in my last pregnancy my 20 week scan came up with nuctal scan showing too much fat at the back of the neck. I was only 27 at the time and was told to have ammino test. All came back ok, but it was so scairy when you felt your baby kicking and thought you might have to make a decission in a couple of days if came back positive.

At 12 weeks you have a better chance to make a level headed choise. I think later when the baby is kicking you are already bonded to the baby. That makes it a harder choise.

I had the NT scan, the down syndrome was low risk but the other one (the edward syndrome) was 1:101. Going to see specialist on monday to talk abt it all and I want to do the amnio. The ultrasound was perfect, but it was the blood test that showed the problem. I was in tears. I have to know if my baby is going to be alright...

This is such a personal an emotive issue for everybody. I had my test last week seeing a fully intact baby with nuchal fold of 1.6 heart rate good all fine. Had bloods done which when they came back on age alone put my risk at 1.196. An extremley low PAPP-A level put our risk at 1.16 and we were devestated. For us the personal decision to terminate a child with other trisomy factors other than downs is one we are still thinking about.

We are not sure how we would handle loosing a child shortly after birth due to severe abnormalities. We both had children in our fmailies with severe special needs so are fully aware of what may lay ahead of us. We cannot make an appointment till Monday to see the fetal assemant clinic. Our Doctor didnt want us to have this scan but I begged becasue I needed to see the baby and now am dealing with the results so it is something to weigh up..I could have remained blissfully unaware

Our minds may change..it may be taken out of our hands and into the hands of a higher being..a few weeks back I could say without a doubt I could never terminate..now so very many ifs an buts surround our future.

We are however remainign positive..its a risk not a definate until its laid in front of us so to speak.

I wish you the best of luck and strength and conviction in your decision on testing and any outcome..may it be a beautiful healthy baby.

I have a friend who had the test and, based on high risk results, opted for the follow up amnio. They had a few weeks of worry and stress and in the end the baby was perfect. Their experience just reinforced for me the decision I had made not to have the scan.
Having said that, I know someone else whose 12 week scan showed severe abnormalities that would have resulted in stillbirth or late miscarriage. It was easier for them to come to terms with losing the baby early in the pregnancy rather than later.
It's such a personal decision and it has been good to read this thread to see some different perspectives.

we are having our 12 week scan tomorrow... but it is just to check dates etc.... i'm not getting tested for DS... im 21 and hubby is 23.. i know there could be a risk, but we just wanna stay positive and decided not to get the test done.

After the most stressfull 4 days of my entire life i Just got a call form the genetic counsellor. They had not added my weight into the algorythm for the risk level. After 9 years of steroid use I am considered morbidly obese ( such a lovley phrase) and this had a dramatic impact on my risk level.
I have gone form 1:16 for Downs :( to 1:232 :)
and 1:49 for trisomy 13 and 18 to 1: 6032

Whilst still in the high risk for downs as we had no other markers at all on scan we have opted to not have the testing down and am now in a big puddle of tears..emotion bubbling over in releif.
Whilst I know there are no guarantess in life for anything I think I wil take this little bosst for now.
Thankyou to everybody for their wonderufl support.
Bron

Am resting now after the CVS scan. It felt a little uncomfortable - like a pap smear feeling but worse. The dr said she was very happy with the needle position. I may find out as early as tom. or have to wait 2 weeks. The sonographer reckons it was a boy but the test results will determine that 100pct.

So now have to wait. This is the worse part....

Caz

I have opted to have the Downs test. I am considered low risk by my doctor but still wanted to have the test. It will be the first time I see bubs so I'm excited yet scared.

No I don't think you're being ridiculous at all!

I chose not to have it done with either of my kids. Choosing NOT to have a test done is as valid a choice as having it - especially if the outcome would make no difference to your decision making.

Caz best of luck with your results !

Thanks India - its been 48 hrs so maybe today I find something out - otherwise have to wait 2 weeks! Its gonna be so difficult and cos I have to go back to work tomorrow too!

Keep you posted.

Caz
:pray:

We didn't have it last time but are undecided about this time. Same as Chloe it's more about having a peek at bubba than the actual test.

Well finally hospital called me tonight - the baby is normal! It is of course 95pct at the moment, will have to wait 2 weeks for the final result. Still a huge relief and Im having another boy!!!!

Caz

Great news Caz! That must be a relief! :-)

I thought long and hard about this after seeing my ob for the first time on Monday - I booked in for the 12 scan and bloodtest, but started feeling uneasy about it. I spoke to my husband and explained the whole test etc to him. He and I agree that we would always continue with this pregnancy no matter what, so I started wondering why I would do this test? I also would not want to have any invasive tests like the amnio - so it just seemed like a potential for stress. After speaking with my ob and explaining my feelings he agreed with me.

I want to enjoy my pregnancy and not potentially be stressed by the thought that maybe something is wrong. If you don't want the test - don't do it.

I am still having the ultrasound but will tell them not to measure for Downs and I won't be having the blood test at all.

Woo hoo caz what great news congratulations.
Katiegirl I commend you on your decision to aim for a stress free pregnancy through not having the test. A lot of thought has gone into what is right for you. I know you will just love being able to see the baby on the screen at yourscan anyway.

Thanks India. It was a tough decision but I am really happy with my decision. The moment I explained my concerns to my ob, I knew I was doing the right thing. I think that it is not always made clear that this test is optional.

I am looking forward to the 12 week scan now, rather than worrying about it.

I had a friend who didnt test for the same reasons as yourself. YOung and for religious reasons wouldnt terminate the pregnancy regardless.
The test may just worry you for no reason.

I did the test with my 1st baby and got a really low probability of having downs syndrome. I am pregnant again and my DH doesnt think we need to do the test again. I just want to do the 12 week US so I can see the bubs.

Wishing you a happy and healthy pregnancy

Hi everyone,
this is a really interesting topic. I'm 38 and 10 weeks pregnant. My husband to be wants me to have the Downs scan. Our obstetrician said if you go through all the testing for Downs there is a risk of miscarriage. I really don't want to face that risk plus I wouldn't terminate the baby if it had Downs as much as I know the strain it would place on us as a couple. I'm in a real dilemma as my partner is quite upset that I don't want to do the test. What's the right thing to do in this situation? Would love to hear your feedback.

With the scan, there is no risk for miscarriage. It's only when you get to the amnio and CVS stage where there is a miscarriage risk.