Missed my MSS/downs syndrome screening and panicking

[Dolly415]

I'm 21 weeks tomorrow
Found out Wednesday I'm having a girl!
Found out Thursday when went back in that I missed my MSS test to check if there was chance of downs. I didnt even know I had an appointment was written down but not told to me and was month ago and I'm to far along for it now. Reason I'm worried is because my dads daughter/my half sister has downs (never met absent father). Me and my full sister are healthy as is my partner. I'm worried theres a chance my lil girl could inherit this? The scan showed that everything was normal Including face head spine etc. This is my first baby and I do worry alot and very anxious person as it is. Maybe I just need reassurance. Just would of liked to have the test done for a heads up incase. Dont think my partner would cope with a downs syndrome and worried how I would too. Not to sound like an awful person. I admire mothers who have children with difficulties I really do xxx

If you can afford it, you could have the Harmony test done privately? They take a sample of your blood and can distinguish the baby's DNA from your own to check for Downs, Edwards and Patau. No time limit on when it can be done (other than very early pregnancy, obviously).

Downs Syndrome is very rarely genetic/ inherited so having a half sister with Downs Syndrome is unlikely to signify an increased risk of your DD having it. The biggest risk factor is maternal age so that it is more likely to occur in older mothers (at 35 the risk is 1 in 350, at 40 it’s 1 in 100).

It’s unlikely your DC will have Down’s syndrome, but if she does then you will find ways to cope. And bear in mind there are lots of disabilities that can’t be screened for - disability is always a risk when you have a child (two of my four children are severely disabled, both following premature births) but for most people it is a risk that doesn’t materialise.

Thank you I've just emailed a place that hopefully does that, will put my mind at ease if I can get it done xx

MyNewBearTotoro

Thank you for your reply, I'm 27, 28 on the 22nd July :)
Maybe I'm worry to much as I really want my lil girl and to be a mother and everyone healthy. Not used to things being good and positive in my life so scared something may go wrong xxx hope all your lil ones doing well

Having a half sister with Downs doesn't make you any more likely to have a child with Downs. I have a sibling with Downs none of my children or my many, nephews and neices or their children have it.