Combined blood test and NT

[Momma37]

Hi everyone, I have seen various posts on here regarding this topic, but nothing recent (that I can see).
Just had my 12 week scan and they said fluid around babies neck was 4.0mm. Had to have an immediate blood test that gave me a 1 in 4 chance of a baby with downs syndrome. I am 37 years old. I was really not expecting it and it has floored me. I was trying to be positive about it, and the midwife said the lowest reading they give in 1 in 4. My Papp a is low at 0.34 mom and my free beta hCG is 1.6566 mom.
I know many people go on to have adorable children with Ds. My worry is I have 2 of my own with my husband, and 2 step children that live with us permanently. We have no family close by, and my husband has an incurable cancer (this pregnancy was a complete surprise) I dont think I would be able to manage alone if something happened to my husband. My step daughter already has a disorder that we are trying to manage.
Thank you.

Join this Facebook group and ask for advice from other pregnant mums expecting a baby with DS.

www.facebook.com/groups/415274562687672/

Also have a look at here

positiveaboutdownsyndrome.co.uk/

www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/for-professionals/

Sorry better link for the Down syndrome Association

www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/

Have you been offered an amnio or CVS? The combined testing is just screening whilst an amnio will tell you for sure. Remember 1 in 4 is a 75% chance your baby doesn't have down syndrome. An amnio seems like a daunting prospective but having had one I found the thought of it much worse than the reality.

The decision whether to carry on with a DS pregnancy is very personal and your own circumstances need taking into account. There are lots of positive stories out there now but ultimately it's your decision and do what is right for you and your family and don't feel guilty for doing so (easier said than done I know). I know I would have struggled to carry on if I had a DS diagnosis but a lot of that again was to do with my circumstances. Arc are supposed to be good to call.

Good luck. There is an antinatal testing board on Mumsnet. It's quieter than chat but might get some replies from folks who have been though similar.

Agree with pp. Are you having a cvs/ amnio/ nipt for confirmation?
I was in your position a couple of weeks ago (NT fluid was 3.8mm). I had a nipt test which came back as low risk followed by a cardiac scan which was also clear. Remember that 1 in 4 means 3/4 chance your baby is fine. I also thought that downs was something I could consider, whereas Edwards or Pataus would have been a different story.

I agree with the others about thinking about having further diagnostic tests, and would advise you to speak to other parents from the links I posted earlier.

The harmony blood test is a non invasive test that is 99% accurate, however the test its self is pricey.

www.thebirthcompany.co.uk/nipt-landing-page.php?gclid=EAIaIQobChMItIOjpoy45gIVi7HtCh0U5gDSEAAYASAAEgL-vPD_BwE

Thank you everyone for your kind advice and links. I will look into it more. Yes they advised that if we wanted a CVS we had to have it the next day due to me being further along than expected, so we did have it. I think it was probably better that I rushed into it as I didnt have time to dwell on it much.
I said that to the midwife (trying to be positive) that there was still a 75% chance that it wasnt. But that is when she said, 1 in 4 is the lowest the hospital use as a ratio, so I could in face be 1 in 2. I found the whole experience very negative. I dont know if they have to be like. Thank you again.

Are you aware of Arc, Antenatal Results and Choices (www.arc-uk.org)? I haven't used them myself but know that people have found them really useful.

for you, it must be difficult to face this with everything else you are dealing with

I found the sonographer was VERY doom and gloom. She told me our baby would either have downs or a heart problem - she didn’t mention that everything might actually be fine. When do you get your cvs results?

Thanks everyone. I think I will call Arc in the morning.
They said the first lot of results should be back on Wednesday. Both my husband and I had to have our blood taken to look for any heredity chromosome disorders as well as they said they wanted to look into that to see if there is anything we or our children need to be aware of. I have found the whole experience so negative. I almost wish they give you a high or low risk rating without the odds.
Thanks again to everyone.