Naive question about ds odds (first pg)

[jasmine51]

Hi
At my booking in appointment yesterday the mw told me my risk of ds started at 1:49 because of my age (43). Does that mean that whatever the scans and bloods pick up, 1:49 is going to be the best result I could hope for and that my risk is always going to be worse than this? I'm trying to prepare myself, and more worryingly, my DH, as we are going to clash big time if there are any anomolies picked up. Sorry if this is a dopey question!

Not sure about the statistics. Also, its a real shame that you and your DH won't be looking at this with the same point of view as obviously this will cause extra stress for you.

Have you thought of having a Nuchal Scan? Having said that, I personally would only have the tests like triple serum, nuchal etc if DH and I were clear of what would happen if it was a result we weren't happy with.

Congratulations too

I think it can improve depending on test results - can you call your midwife today to clarify?

Ineed I am trying to get a date for the nuchal scan - there has been a mix up at the hosp and the apt I had, turned out to be a 20 wks scan for a previous pg I lost. They are now saying they have no 12 wk apts within the date range I need..unless I pay for a private one which seems cheeky but I might go down that route.
DH will not discuss before seeing what scans say. I have a much more liberal attitude than him because my work has brought me in contact with some truly remarkable 'disabled' people. He is a paramedic and only ever sees problems and mess so has a much more black and white attitude. Discussion is out of the question in advance. Bummer

The fact that they mixed up your appointments and then can't offer you another is not on. I'd get you MW on the phone and ask her to help to sort it out.

When I had a Nuchal with DD at 39 my risk went from aroud 1:75 to 1:15000. However, it can go than your original 1:49.

No, 1:49 is not the best result you can hope for - it's just where you start on the risk chart. When I was pg with DD2, my DS risk (triple test and nuchal scan combined) was something like 1:2800 (can't remember the exact numbers, she's nearly 5 ) and I was 35. When you looked on the chart, this corresponded to the risk a 16-yo has. The medic made some off-colour joke to my DH about him sleeping with a teenager, which made DH a bit !

However, the results of the tests could also make your risk worse - it can go either way. I had my nuchal scan privately, as my hospital does not routinely offer this unless you have other risk factors. It was, IMO, worth the money. Best of luck!

Thanks all, thats made me feel a bit better. I couldnt understand how I was being 'condemmed' just because of my age, surely there are other factors in play...which you have confirmed. I rang the hosp and no go for changing my apt so have booked privately..and not at the hosp, if I'm going privately I want a nicer experience. DH goes pale every time I mention 'problems' so am dreading it in some ways.

Will DH got the the Nuchal Scan with you?

Oh yes, he comes to the scans, enjoys winding up the nurses. Its just that he has a somewhat false excitement about the whole pg. I know hes worried about masses of things that he wont discuss for fear of upsetting me, and having a potential problem with the pg might seem like a good excuse to stop the whole thing and get rid of his worries. Theres nothing I can do to open him up, he's older than me and very very stubborn but I guess I'll have to 'see what happens' on the day

Hello, and congrats on your pregnancy.

Risks and being a forties mum (I'm 40) ... OK, depending on the protocol your hospital uses, various factors will affect your risk of Down's.

Age.
Nuchal scan (fluid at the back of baby's neck measured in mm).
Bloods: hCG, PAPP-A, and maybe estriol and others??

Your age, nuchal measurement and the gestational age of your baby, and blood results are then used to work out your overall risk.

Depending on your nuchal and blood results, your initial 'background age risk' can go up or down.
These measurements help to measure risk, but none on its own will give a definite result.

More definite results can be obtained by invasive testing like CVS or amniocentesis These almost always give a definitive result (with a few exceptions) BUT they both carry a risk of miscarriage (often quoted as amnio 1%, and CVS sometimes 1-2% - risks can vary so I would ask your own medical team for specific advice).

You might also read about things like missing nasal bones, short femurs and heart defects. These are all issues that can be related to Down's but not necessarily, and they are not always reliable as markers - seek medical advice before relying on these.

Good luck for you, your baby and your DH. I hope you have a good scan and that everything is fine - and that you enjoy your pregnancy.

What squeezytoy says.

I am in 40s and high background risk, after my nuchal screen and bloods(private)odds changed to 1 in 253 for DS and even lower for the other issues they test for.

Don't have a test unless you want to know though. If your odds change, they could go up or down and you will still have to make a decision whether to amnio or not. I went in with my eyes open as it were. Used the nuchal screen to decide whether to have the amnio.

You and DH really need to talk about it though.

As everyone else has said this is just the starting point due to your age- the risk may become greater it may of course become an awful lot less.

If you want a NT scan (and that is entirely up to you and DH) then you need to push the hospital to provide one - not having any appointmnents available is totally unacceptable.

Also do remember that these are only odds. I was given very good odds (over 1:2000) and had a son with downs; in my current pregnancy although I didn't have bloods, my age/previous history and NT measurement meant that I was told the baby would almost certainly have downs - she doesn't.

I hope you and your DH can reach some agreement about the way forward. It is a difficult time without conflict concerning differing views. Good luck

no - when I was 38 turning 39 - I had a nuchal translucency screening - on paper given age and medical history my chance was 1 in 52 after the test it was 1 in 962.