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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

To have an amnio or not at 39?

15 replies

cherrysodalover · 13/10/2011 19:26

I just wondered if anyone felt able to share how they made this decision.
My nuchal result is low and my first blood tests give me odds of 1 in 620 which whilst lower than average seem high to me compared to my last pregnancy.
I am trying to decide if I should just have the amnio in the next few days rather than wait two weeks for second blood tests and results because whilst I am not sure what decision I would make if I got a positive result on the amnio, I may well chose a medical termination.

I have been told the odds are 1 in 300-500 for miscarriage post amnio so kind of similar to odds for having a baby with downs.
I think I am just aware that at my age, the age of my egg just ups the odds so do I take the small risk of the amnio to know for certain.I think if my odds come back higher with the next blood test I would have an amnio without hesitation.

OP posts:

clutteredup · 13/10/2011 19:35

My first blood tests got higher each PG but they are based on several factors including your age so they always get higher each time just cos you're older.
I didn't get mine till it was too late to have another test but TBH I wouldn't have done anything about it apart from being more preparedd if DD had been Down's.
Its a wholly personal decision and everyone feel differently - if you feel you would have a termination if you did know it was Down's I think it's important for you to find out to be as certain as you can what is the likely outcome- you have to consider the possibility that it might be and if you were to go full term what you would do if you did have a Downs baby - I didn't mind either way so i didn't test- I think if you do mind you do need to test, if for no other reason your own peace of mind.
Good luck I'm sure it will all work out fine for you.

mummytoh1 · 14/10/2011 16:47

I wonder what I would have done if my odds had not been either extreme. (first pregnancy 1:8000-odd, second pregnancy 1:15 so very clear each time what to do! (both babies are fine!) ). I am a need to know person so I can understand where you are coming from although I appreciate many would be happy with your odds too. If it's going to niggle at you, stress you out and/or if you are decided that you don't want a baby with down syndrome then I think you would be right to go for the further test. Everyone has their own level of acceptable risk.

Original poster

cherrysodalover · 15/10/2011 18:54

Thanks.I do get the impression that you are pretty unlucky to miscarry after an amnio but maybe that is what I want to think.I think I want to know..it is not so much looking after a child with downs but an adult who my ds would be looking After once we have gone.....that is a bigger concern.putting that responsibility on your only other child.

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Bumply · 15/10/2011 19:21

I had amnio at 39 after feeling the blood tests didn't reassure me for my first pregnancy at 35. I also felt like I would be treated like an ancient mother automatically in need if such things. Some of my family were amazed I opted for it with the risk of miscarriage but I knew my partner wouldn't want to go ahead if we found it was downs I knew I wanted to have the proof if that was the case so I could cone to MY decision. I actually ended up having two amnios as the first attempt they couldnt get enough sample due to the baby moving round. Ds2 is now 9 and I have no regrets.

Original poster

cherrysodalover · 16/10/2011 20:08

Thanks bumpily.I am swinging that way as I do feel with the technology it is pretty safe although not without risk.I would feel terrible if I miscarried after it but guess I must be prepared to take that risk even though my odds are relatively low.I always thought I would be fine with a downs baby.there are many worse sn for children to deal with but now as an older mother I feel a responsibility for my only ds who would one day be left to cope with a sibling with sn.

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jubilee10 · 23/10/2011 13:26

I had 2 mc's (1 late) before conceiving ds3 aged 42. I decided not to have an amnio as, if I had another mc, I would never know if it had been caused by the amnio or not. Ds3 was fine. Also if we had known that the baby had downs dh would have wanted to terminate, I'm not sure I would. In the end I felt it was better leaving things to chance.

Original poster

cherrysodalover · 24/10/2011 05:51

Jubilee I'm sorry about your miscarriages.I have never faced that loss but can imagine how upsetting it must be.
I bit the bullet and had one and it was very straight forward but another ten days before I can be reassured it has not caused that which anyone fears knowing the risks.
So glad you have your dd now.

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Imjustagirl · 24/10/2011 22:47

Only you can decide what is best for you.

pregnancy.about.com/cs/downsyndrome/l/bldownssyn.htm Gives you the stats for occurence of downs according to age. When I was 31, my bloods indicated I had a downs risk of 1 in 65. This is seen as high risk as the table indicates that the occurence for a 31 year old is something like 1/850 (sorry not exact as chart I am using above starts at 32). I had an amnio and baby was fine. 1 in 65 seemed so high to me but the consultant said it was high in view of my age but that he had seen numerous women with 1/2 and that that figure would indicate that 1 in 2 would be carrying a downs baby. He said that in his experience he had only told a very small number of women that they were carrying downs babies out of the 100's of 1/2s he had seen. He also told me he had told more teens than older women.

Your age indicates occurence of downs at 1/139. Your nuchal is low and your bloods have come back as 1/620. My understanding is that this is a VERY reassuring figure. To be given a result that is far higher than the average occurence for your age, should provide you with a great deal of reassurance. Speak to a hospital counsellor and they will be able to discuss the figures with far more knowledge than me. I do not know much about CVS but have had an amnio. I was told that when deciding whether to have an amnio, ask the hospital what their miscarriage rate is. My hospital at the time had not had a miscarriage in 9 years. I was told that statistically my 1/65 result was worse than the risk of miscarriage by amnio at that hospital.

I am 37 and considering getting pg in the next year so I will be in a similar situation to you. Im sure that you will make the best decision for you.

Mum2B2012 · 28/10/2011 09:30

My Antenatal Dept has just got back to me ? (@12wks)

Nuchal Scan showed 1.5/1.6

(34) Age related risk 1/400

However Risk analysis including all the above came in at 1/100,000

Which is very low risk ? we?ve opted out of having a CVS, however we still have an appoint in place for week 15 for an Amino.

I?m not too sure if I really need this. I know it?s my decision ? but would be good to hear from anyone who has or is in a similar situation.

We had a termination last year ? due to fetus abnormality ? but we we?re a very high risk. All seems well this time round ? not sure what to do.

Has anyone had similar results - and did they still have an amino... I know its our decision, I havent slept properly in almost 10/11 wks knowing that i was Preg.....

Original poster

cherrysodalover · 29/10/2011 16:44

Mumtobe
I am so sorry about what you went through last time.it must be hard.
All I can say is I had the amnio and it was very quick and carefully done.
Still waiting for results.glad I had it at 15 weeks in case any critical choices have to be made as I feel very uncomfortable about this prospect as I am sure all do.every week counts.
I have heard that the odds of miscarriage are much lower than quoted if that helps but it is natural to worry. I was persuaded partly by a thread on herecwhere a young woman with odds of 1/8000 went on to have a baby with downs.the amnio is 100per cent and I felt I needed that.
Good luck with it all.I really hope it works out this time for you.

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Original poster

cherrysodalover · 29/10/2011 16:46

My odds at 12weeks were 1/600 with a 2.1 nuchal.I skipped second bloods and went straight for the amnio if that helps.

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Mum2B2012 · 01/11/2011 10:01

Hi Cherrysodalover

Thanks, Ive had the bloods done hence the result - im going back for a 2nd scan on the 15th November and based on what we see will make a descision on whether to or not have an amino.

Please do let me know how you get on. Its difficult as i cud be that one in 100,000

Everything else seems perfectly fine.....

Original poster

cherrysodalover · 02/11/2011 03:37

Well we got the all clear this week but I am really glad I had it even at 1 in 600.I needed to know so if i needed to take action I could do it as soon as possible.Good Luck with your choice- I think it depends upon how much you may not want to continue the pregnancy should you find a condition is present.
Strangely in the waiting period everywhere I went I saw kids with Downs syndrome. I felt somehow guilty when I saw them.

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Mum2B2012 · 02/11/2011 20:52

So pleased for u, thinking of not having it but we still have out appt.
Enjoy the rest of pregnancy xx

Original poster

cherrysodalover · 06/11/2011 01:33

Thanks mum2be.
Well it is good to have the appointment as you can always change your mind.
All the best with it.

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