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Antenatal tests

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Original poster

35+ and odds of problems detected at 12 wk scan.

31 replies

quesadillas · 16/03/2015 10:11

Hi,

I'm 36 and pregnant with #2. My first pregnancy was when I was 33. I had my booking in appointment last week, and the attitude of the midwife was so very different to last time. She talked a lot about the likelihood of potential problems being detected at 12wk scan, and how I was now significantly higher risk than last time. I already knew I was higher risk post-35, but it seemed a bit doom and gloom. She talked about the tests, and also mentioned the Harmony test.

I was just wondering, those of you who have had pregnancies over the age of 35, what odds did you get after the 12 week scan? With my first I was about 1 in 7000. The midwife implied that a result like that would absolutely not happen this time, and I'd be lucky if it was in four figures.

I think the whole conversation freaked me out a bit, and I'm dwelling on it possibly too much. I have no idea what I would do if results came back a certain way. I've always been of the opinion that I personally would only be able to decide something when I was actually faced with it.

Thanks.

OP posts:

Elaine82 · 16/03/2015 12:07

Hi,

I'm only 32, but could not have the new test done as the baby wasn't in the correct place for the measurement, had to have the later quad test which was 1:76 alot lower than my first pregnancy. After this low result we decided to have a nifty test which came back 1:30000 this is good, but after the first result still feel worried, good luck this is a very stressful time.

Choccyhobnob · 16/03/2015 13:06

I've been reading a thread where people your age and older have gottem great results, better than mine and I'm 29 so it's definitely not a given you'll have a high risk result.

Original poster

quesadillas · 16/03/2015 13:09

Hi,

Thanks for replying. I've not heard about the nifty test, might look it up.

I think the main reason for my worry at the minute (because I don't have anything concrete to worry about) was her attitude just seemed to be that I would be recommended some sort of further investigation. Who knows if that'll actually be the case? Hope you're not too worried and stressed out. 1:30000 sounds very good to me, but can understand still being concerned after the initial result.

OP posts:

KittyandTeal · 16/03/2015 14:39

Depends how strongly you feel about risk factors.

She is right that your risk factor will automatically go up (quite a bit) simply because of your age.

Saying that I'm 33 (low risk age group) was given a low risk screen from bloods. I ended up being that 1 in the 1:5000 and our dd2 had T18.

What I'm trying to say is that high risk or low risk someone's got to be the 1.

If it is causing you anxiety then the harmony or nifty test might be a good idea. We plan on doing on next time, saying that my baseline risk under 35 is now 1:1000.

Original poster

quesadillas · 16/03/2015 15:33

Yes, you're right, no matter the odds, there's always somebody who has to be the 1. Sorry it was you, KittyandTeal.

I think I've just got to weigh everything up. I've not had a chance to properly discuss my worries with DH yet, maybe that'll make me feel less anxious.

OP posts:

KittyandTeal · 16/03/2015 17:11

Sorry that sounded so grim. It wasn't meant to.

The harmony and nifty tests are zero risk but you have to go private so a fairly expensive.

Obviously cvs and amnios have a risk factor, as far as I'm aware you won't get one done on the nhs or privately unless they suspect a problem.

I had an hour long scan at a fetal medicine specialist with 4 doctors and only after explaining they'd found 4/5 soft markers and a consultant checking would they give me an amino (not that I was asking for one but they really have to justify it)

If your only risk factor atm is your age I really would try not to worry, yes your risk goes up but its more than likely you will have no issues and a happy and healthy pregnancy

Jackiebrambles · 16/03/2015 18:06

I'm 38 And was 37 at my 12 week scan (I'm now 26 weeks). I got 1/2735 and 1/5037 for the two different trisonomy tests. Actually they are much better results than I got last pregnancy as they found a soft marker last time (no nasal bone found). The sonographer told me my odds were really very good, I gyrss because of my age! My hospital offers harmony but I wasn't given the test as my odds were good.

daluze · 16/03/2015 19:07

This attitude is really weird. Yes, the risks of chromosomal defects rises after 35, but you cannot predict in advance. My risk from 12 weeks scan when I was pregnant at 36 was 1:7 (clear CVS), but 2 years later (at 38) the risk was 1:2,500. I was so sure I'll be high risk again, and even higher risk than before, so I did Harmony package before knowing the risk though, although if I knew it I probably wouldn't have done any more testing. Exactly the same markers were examined during scans in both pregnancies. So just different babies!
I think it was inappropriate for a midwife to provide such "genetic counceling". Also, at 36 your age related risk is not that high anyway...

Longshorttall · 16/03/2015 20:06

I got a 1 in 10,000 risk at age 31 and with my second at age 38 got a 1 in 120,000 risk so it doesn't always go up in risk with age.

Tiredstressed · 17/03/2015 02:40

I got 1 in 100,000 risk at 37. I also had the Harmony test, which was eye wateringly expensive at the time but did provide reassurance. I was worried because of my age. As it turned out, my DD has a genetic condition which was not tested for but you can't cover all eventualities.

TwoLittleTerrors · 17/03/2015 03:17

I think 1 in 3000 both pregnancies. Both were over 35. Your MW is very weird. Mine told me 39 wasn't old in my area when I was pregnant with DD2. She has quite a few over 40s in her care.

Roseotto · 17/03/2015 22:14

I'm 37 and my obstetrician told me I'm still young! I also had the Harmony but can't remember my combined test odds as Harmony was

Roseotto · 17/03/2015 22:17

On reflection I think it was maybe 1 in 4500 or so - but I went to FMC so there were other factors (ie lack of soft markers, nasal bone, blood flow going the right way etc) they take into account so a better result thanan nhs nuchal would have given me

Kaz1904 · 18/03/2015 20:44

Hi there,

I am 35 years old and got a risk factor of 1:32 three weeks ago based on my blood results and age. Nuchal was fine. Free beta hcg was 4.01 mom and papp-a 0.53 mom. I didn't want to risk a miscarriage with the amnio, this is my first baby and could be my only chance. We opted for the harmony test and can't recommend it enough. We were told it would take a fortnight but we got our results a couple of days earlier than that. We were delighted that we were given a very low risk of all 3 trisomies (

SirVixofVixHall · 18/03/2015 20:48

DD1 (pregnant at 40 born at 41) 1-50,0000. Dd2 at 42/43 was 1-160 i think but can't quite remember. I didn't have amnio or anything.

HazleNutt · 19/03/2015 11:01

I'm 36 and had 1:1200. Had the Harmony (or actually something called the Praenatest, similar to harmony) anyway, to help me to worry less, and that came back all clear.

My doctor (a well known specialist) was quite different from your MW - when I first mentioned that I was a little more concerned, being old and all, he told me not to be silly and he doesn't consider age as risk factor below 40. Oh and I've had both 12 and 20 week scans now and baby is looking fine.

crispiecrunchie · 19/03/2015 12:20

I was 40 with my first and odds were 1 in 6000. 42 and have 12 week scan for number 2 next week. At the booking appointment the midwife said I will be high risk but ill wait till after the scan to decide whether to try harmony or invasive testing.

Original poster

quesadillas · 19/03/2015 13:24

Thanks for all your replies. I think I've made my decision not to look into the Harmony at the moment, but wait for the 12 week scan and book that if I'm not happy with the results I get. It's reassuring that several of you seem to have had good results over 35 though, my midwife was talking as if that never happens!

OP posts:

notlikeanyother · 19/03/2015 13:31

I had 3 pregnancies from 33 to 42. Never had a midwife be negative at all. In fact, for my last I had to point out that I was 9 days overdue and 42. Wasn't particularly worried myself but knew for a fact hospital guidelines were to offer induction at 7 days overdue and the midwife was telling me to come in another couple of days. Didn't really want her to get in to trouble as she'd obviously forgotten the guidelines or not noticed my age.

Naty1 · 19/03/2015 21:40

They base it on what your age will be at delivery.
Some regions i think will only give a risk of a multiple of your age related risk (like 20x say)
I got 7002 will be 35 at EDD. Which is 20 times my age related 1/350.
At 32 i had like 13k which is similar to 20x 769.

But i have seen people older with very low risk so think areas must do calcs differently.

SaggyAndLucy · 20/03/2015 00:01

Sadly this kind of attitude isn't uncommon. Antenatal practitioners seem to like to pigeon hole people. Overweight? 'Geriatric'? High risk? Diabetic?
And once you're in your little box they LOVE to inform you fully of all the risks! Diplomacy and tact don't seem to play much part.
It's not you, it's them. Try not to worry too much. As plenty of others have said, every pregnancy is different. There is very little reason to believe you will have any problems.

ShoeShooChoux · 28/03/2015 14:01

Totally anecdotal but here's my experience:
First pg at 26 risk was 1:250
Second pg at 31 risk was 1:3000
Third pg at 37 risk was 1:100000

So it would seemrisk decreased with age. Go figure

squizita · 28/03/2015 14:21

In London 36 isn't considered risky at all. I was told it was the most usual age for dc2 at my hospital!
My results came back 1/100000! Friends have had various results at this age but all "low risk" (less than 1/350).

squizita · 28/03/2015 14:24

Kitty my result was the lowest possible- their calculations don't go to zero and my nhs trust won't put lower than 1/100000 on the letter. I was 36. It's a complex calculation and doesn't shoot up with age in all cases.

squizita · 28/03/2015 14:28

Sorry pressed return too soon.

Sorry to hear you were the "1". Yep, it's true that high or low risk there's always a 1. I've been there with a partial molar ... you don't need a test for that but they reassured me with "1/6000" odds and they mean nothing when you're the 1.

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