Mumsnet Talk

Hi ladies
I've been reading this forum a lot in the past weeks and being 40 and pregnant the first time (naturally) had been preparing myself to face some difficult statistics from my nuchal scan/blood tests.

I'm posting for the first time to share a positive story for others who may be lurking and worrying out there like I was.

After much discussion, DH and I agreed we would do a CVS (expecting the scan/blood results to keep me in the high risk category) and made an apt with professor Nicolaides at Fetal Medical Centre for today.

We were pleasantly shocked to hear that my results for downs went from 1:72 based on age alone to 1:1439 based on nuchal/blood test results. I don't recall my bloods but the nuchal fold measured 1.6 and I'm 11 weeks+6. Needless to say we didn't do the CVS and
went out for a celebratory lunch instead.

Just wanted any older mums like myself to know that despite the odds against us, try not to worry as much as I did.

I can echo pantonechip. I am 41 in the next couple of weeks and 16+3 weeks pg. We went to the FMC and saw the professor himself 4 weeks ago and really expected to be having a cvs. My background risk on age alone was 1 in 63 but adjusted it came out to 1 in 1287 so was very pleased and happy.

It was a lower risk than with my DD was in now 3.6.

Thank you so much for sharing your positive experiences. I'm so happy for you.

I'm 8 weeks and 40 and this is my first pregnancy. I have an appointment with Nicolaides for a nuchal scan in four weeks. I've been preparing myself for needing a CVS. Your stories give me hope it might not be necessary. Thank you.

Thank you so much for those lovely positive stories. I have a 4 year old, and terminated after a positive Downs diagnosis 2 years ago. It's taken me this long to feel strong enough to try again, and me and hubby are both very negative about it as I turn 40 in June. I'm still not entirely sure, in fact I'm petrified, but stories like yours give me hope. Maybe it's not to late.....

I'm really pleased you posted your story pantonechip, and hersetta. Good to hear some positive news and congratulations to you both.
Sending good luck to Janzen and Beinghuman. xxx

Thanks for the good wishes linspins. I had my nuchal scan/test yesterday at the Fetal Medicine Centre on Harley St. I thought I'd add my story here since this thread was reassuring as I was waiting for the 12 week scan. I'm turned 40 in October, and am due this October.

The test results came back 1/1438 odds of Downs, and 1/2650 for Trisonomy 13/18. Like pantonechip my odds given my age were 1/72 and 1/133. We decided not to have any invasive tests.

I know that there is still risk. My best friend just gave birth, at 39, to a daughter with Prader Willi Syndrome, a chromosomal problem where she can't eat on her own until two years old, and then will overeat. It's devastating and so rare: I think a 1/10,000 chance. Having someone so close to me be that '1' makes it all the more real that anything can happen. But for today I'm just appreciating our very lucky odds.

Bump

Thank you so much. I have scan on Tuesday and have been thinking it will at least be 1:70 due to being 40 so delighted to learn tat the scan can move the odds into my favour.

I'm 40, and after the nuchal fold scan, my risk went down to 1:5000 which was very reassuring.

I'm 39 (nearly 40) and my risk went from 1:87 to just over 1:1600. Good luck to all of you with scans soon.

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your good news stories.

I am 42 and currently only 7 weeks. I will be classed as high risk as had 3 miscarriages including 1 missed at 10 weeks.

Would you advise I make the appointment with professor Nicolaides at Fetal Medical Centre in advance or wait until my 12 week scan?

I had a EPU scan this morning and saw the little heartbeat, I am pleased but know this is can be a bumpy ride and just wont allow myself to relax or enjoy until I know everything is ok.

Thanks

xx

Congratulations georgeiepie and hope everything goes well with you. Is the appointment at the Fetal Med Centre for a nuchal scan? If so, I would go ahead and make the appointment as I think you have to have that before 14 weeks.

Thanks for that wolfhound.

I have just made it for nuchal scan and cvs when I will be 12+2. Its only then I will be able to believe I am having a healthy pregnancy and can relax a little.

xxx

guys, I am 40 and have just had my nuchal back as 1/663. is this still quite high do you think or should I get on and celebrate?!

Katherine2008 - celebrate as by age it is 1:100 so your blood and Nt must have been good.

Still waiting for my results - hoping no news is good news as hoping they would call if bloods came back with high risk.

thanks cookie and fx for your results. My letter only took a week - how long have you been waiting?

Great results just arrived by age 1:75 and with combined gone to 1:37000

congrats cookie that is AMAZING!

Hi, it's lovely to read such a positive thread.
I'm also 40 and this is my first pregnancy, I have my 12 week scan next week and I'm really anxious about it.
So nice to read this ..

Good results here too. I'm 39 and was 1:115 on age and 1:2400 with nuchal and bloods. Lower than with DD at 36. I'm so relieved!

Similarly - age 38 and had lowest results of any of my 3 pregnancies - 1 in 2000

I was 38 when we started TTC, 39 when we succeeded after only 7 months and just 40 when I gave birth. My T21 risk was 1:89 at the outset and 1:475 after the nuchal. It further dropped to 1:1179 after the bloods. I have no idea what my T13 and T18 risks were - they didn't say.

I remember thinking that if the nuchal dropped the risk and the bloods upped it or vice versa, (or obviously if both upped it) then something wouldn't be right and so we'd go for the CVS or amnio. But they both dropped. We didn't have any further tests, and a perfect little boy arrived a while later

I had the scans done by a local FMC-trained sonographer.

I got the blood results back the day after the scan, by phone call.

Was v. impressed.

I turned 40 six weeks ago and am living in Egypt, where prenatal testing is not that common. I went to a private clinic and had a NT, but no blood test. My NT was 1.1 mm and the tech said everything else looked good- nasal bone, normal bone length, low risk for pre-eclampsia....
Then he said because I am 40, I should have an amnio. I am not sure. I am going back to England for Xmas so will try to see a midwife to get another opinion, I know is an arbitrary number , but I was 39 when I conceived. But I didn't have the blood test, so maybe I should.
Any thoughts? Thanks.

Such a positive thread. Congratulations to you all with such good odds.

Lost a baby in oct at 36 yrs old. Afterwards my odds were 1:2. I'm full of hope to try again if all goes well with genetic screening.

I just received a call today to say my combined NT scan and bloods put me at 1:95. I am 39 and will turn 40 by the time I give birth. My NT measurement was 0.7mm at 11 weeks + 5 days, and apparently my proteins and hormones were normal.

I was told that based on my age alone I would have been 1:127 so I'm not sure why my risk has increased as I thought my measurement and levels were good?

We've decided to have the amniocentesis at 16 weeks. This is my 2nd pregnancy. I feel very overwhelmed and scared