Downs Sydnrome risk factor

[GoingtobebiginAsia]

Hi all,

After claiming to be unaffected by pregnancy hormones, I find I cannot stop thinking about the Downs Syndrome risk numbers I saw in my file.

I will see the obst on Thursday to talk it over but ... it's eating away at me.

The obst's receptionist called me several weeks ago (woke me up from an afternoon nap) and told me two numbers. I focused on the first one and ignored the second one, thinking it was for something else. So for a few weeks I've been thinking the risk of my baby having Downs was 1 in 1,055.

But my file said the second number, 1:161, factored in my age. It's less than a 1% chance and DP and I have talked it over and decided there's nothing we can do now. We love the baby and could not "get rid of it" if we found out she did have Downs. So we don't see the point in having an amnio. I am just worried because the doctor told me that a risk factor of 1:150 or higher and he'd recommend an amnio. And 161 is very close to 150.

I just can't thinking about the "what ifs"... did some googling and found that Downs babies have a high risk of miscarrying anyway. I have read so many stories of people getting high risk numbers and having normal babies. And I have also heard stories about the wonderful lifes Downs people can have ... BUT I just can't let it go.

She's moving around a lot and I'm finally looking pregnant, rather than just flabby. The fold test was OK, the ultrasounds have showed everything is developing normally. Is there any way you can somehow "see" Downs without an amnio? If there is no other sign apart from the risk factor, will everything be OK?

[Fleur]

I don't know the answers to your questions sorry - but wanted to give you hugs

FWIW I think if you have decided you want this bub anyway & you already love her to bits...it won't matter too much.

And as for an amnio, your OB can recommend one, but you can't be made to have one. Talk about that more with your DP, let it be your decision.

goodluck

[sloane]

i'm wondering whether your risk was the 1:161 or whether that's the general risk for your age? when i got my results they also told me two figures - one was our actual results & the second was what the risk is typically of someone my age. because i'm in my 30's the risk for my age is usually quite high but the risk of this PG was far lower - using the combined blood test & scan results.

sorry if i've misinterpreted this, but just wondering if maybe that's why you have the two figures?

[babywannabe]

hi, Thursday must seem like such a long time away when you have this chewing on your mind. I am no expert but I think the amino is the only way to diagnose it decisevly as it (Downs also known as trisomy 21) has an extra chomosome 21 present in the cells.
At this stage it is just a very small risk factor and your scans sound good. I would call him/her earlier to help you ease your mind.
I am sure everything is just fine. Good luck

[GoingtobebiginAsia]

Thanks for your quick replies.
I KNOW I'm fussing but I just can't help it today.
I am just trying to focus on the positives (less than 1% chance). Thursday isn't so far away.
I don't want to have an amnio because the result won't make any difference to what happens next... we wait another 20 weeks and then we meet our beautiful baby girl.
It's just the uncertainty....
Thanks again. I would be so much more of a mess without Bellybelly!

[DoubleK]

just wanted to offer you some

i had a 'higher than average for my age' risk factor, but was assured it was still a very low risk factor. it did play on my mind a lot, but actually until i read your post, i had forgotten all about it!

let us know how you go on thursday

[Mildez]

I would still consider that number to be low. Earlier this year one of our ladies (I was working in the midwifes clinic) had an adjusted risk of 1:50. We did refer her to the antenatal clinic to see the Obstetrician and they sort of laughed it off. Her bub was born a short time ago and was fine. I guess it depends on who you see for your pregnancy but if it were one our our drs they would say its fine.

[Erin_25]

Sorry you are going through this.....I was also wondering if that first number was general risk etc with age before they put bloods & scan together. I got a msg left on my mobile last week with my results & she gave a risk number & then said together with my bloods I was now **** and that was a much better number. Just a thought, hope it all goes well for you.

[GoingtobebiginAsia]

Hey Sloane, you were right!
I just got back from the obst... and the 1:1,055 was my number... 1:161 is the average (or something) for a 37-year-old. Not for me.
Thanks for your messages... I kept telling myself if there was a problem the obst would have called himself. I just kept thinking about it on Sunday while I was waiting for the local equivalent of a tradie to arrive... then finish up.
I was so relieved when the obst explained it, even though I was reassured so much by Emmy83's comment.

[Fleur]

So glad all is well