3 in 1 pregnancy screening for Downs etc - should I be concerned about my results?

[Hellskitchen24]

Posting here for traffic as the pregnancy page doesn’t get any.

I had the 12 week screening test for Downs, Edwards and Patau syndrome. The last two were fine but I came back as “high risk” for Downs, with a 1 in 140 chance. They invited me back for an extra blood test (NIPT) which I had today. I think they said I’d get the results within a week.

Naturally, I’m panicking a bit about being “high risk” for something. For context I’m 36 and it’s my first pregnancy. Can anyone else who’s been in this situation please reassure me!?

You have a 99.3% chance of a baby without Down Syndrome based on those results.

Thank you. I don’t understand how this is considered “high risk” though. When you put it as a percentage it doesn’t sound bad, that’s why I’m confused.

Ours came back as 1 in 110. I wanted to know for sure so I paid for a private blood test and scan which came back negative. This is an option if it is preying on your mind.

Because it's a higher risk than most people.

NHS policy is to invite anyone who’s risk is deemed greater than 1:150 back for further screening

I was pregnant at 36 and 38. I think my combined risks each time were about 1:125. My trust sent everyone who came out at a higher risk than 1:500 for NIPT. Came back fine both times.

I was about 1 in 60-something risk with my first. As I understand it, it's mostly based on nuchal thickness but your age will boost the risk. A lot of those in later 30s I spoke to had also had a higher risk -- and it was fine.

It's very distressing at the time. With my 2nd I skipped screening and just did the NIPT because I didn't want that stress again.

I don't know the ins and outs but I did wonder, given women in their 30s seem to be throwing up so many high risks and going through a week or two of unnecessary stress at a vulnerable time, why they continue to do it and don't just do the NIPT.

I think because the NIPT is very expensive, in some areas patients can only access it privately.
The current test is done within a scan and a blood test mums are having anyway, so is cost effective.

I came back with a 1:125 risk and my daughter does have Downs Syndrome. She's blooming amazing and I wish I'd known that when I got the results in pregnancy.

Wishing you all the very best whichever way the results go. It can be a scary time, in fact, I found pregnancy much harder emotionally than having a daughter with DS.

I had a 1 in 8 with my second pregnancy when I was 30.

I’ve had the NIPT one today which I assume is the same? Glad yours was all well.

Thank you so much. I’m hoping for the same.

I’ll be doing this if I put myself through another pregnancy. I regret doing the test now. I was offered a private NIPT through my fertility clinic and now regret not just paying for it. My anxiety is through the roof now.

I was offered it on the NHS. From what I’ve read this is only an option in recent years though.

Yes, I think so, my youngest was 5 and I had a fairly high risk from memory, but wasn't offered the NIPT on nhs. We did consider paying privately but decided it wouldn't affect our decision to on whether to continue with the pregnancy so decided against it.
As a health professional I know tests are not always 100% reliable, they did an mri of my 2nd babies brain in my tummy and told me she would be severely brain damaged and not walk, talk etc. She is now 5 and never stays still and never shuts up 😂

It's one of those postcode lotteries really. My trust were offering it to anyone 1:500 or higher risk 9 years ago. I think others started slowly following suit.

Could you give the name of the company you used please, thanks.