1:20 risk - what should I be asking about at the appointment

[StAlphonsosPancakeBreakfast]

I'm 13+4 and have been told following my NT scan and bloods that my Downs risk is 1:20. I know this is still a game of numbers but I am just panicking a bit at it all, as you can imagine.

I'm 40, this is my first pregnancy, the NT result was "normal, but on the high side of normal".

I'm waiting for the midwife to call me with an options appointment and I wanted to know if you think there's anything I need to know about or ask when I have it.

I've thought of a few things to ask, but am I missing anything?

• CVS: I understand I have to be 13+6 or under to have this, is that right?
• Amnio: is it horrifically painful, and do the results come back quickly?
• Is this just a DS risk result, or is there anything else involved (PS, ES etc.)?
• What is my cut-off for a 'medical' termination (I don't know what the term is exactly? Not having to give birth, basically)?
• If I was to terminate and get pregnant again, is there anyway of predicting my risk in a subsequent pregnancy (not likely given the years it took to get here, but never mind)?
• If I chose not to terminate and the results were positive for DS, how long would I have to wait to find out how severely affected the baby was?

God, this is just so surreal. Can anyone help? I am sort of half in denial, half in panic.

Thank you all so much for your responses. Well, I had the CVS test on Monday and it was horrible! I chose it purely because the results would be back faster, but having been promised results in 2-3 days (i.e. Weds/Thurs) I've heard nothing yet. It's really prolonging the agony.

I'm sorry it was so horrible for you, I have heard that the cvs can be worse than an amnio.

Were you due your results this weds/Thurs gone or the weds/thurs coming up?

Sorry just re-read,they were due this week gone.

I would call the midwife or lab if you have the number. I know it's the wknd now and the lab will be shut but you can speak to the midwife and they can leave a message, this is what we did.

Sometimes they have to re-run results to double check before giving you the results.

Thanks Kitty - that's interesting. I think it wasn't even the painfulness of it that was so horrible, that could have been worse: it just felt so extraordinarily bizarre and invasive. But it's done, which is the main thing.

I made a load of calls yesterday afternoon and only got answering machines (left messages where it seemed appropriate) and did the same this morning just to check, with the same result (didn't leave messages). I think I might start a separate thread about how long it took others to get CVS results, just to see if this is something that occasionally happens. The level of care I've received so far has been so great, and so fast, that I am really surprised by this.

I rather dread the idea that they might have to do it again, although they were happy at the time that they had a sufficient sample. I think I'd probably go for amnio next time, seeing as I'll be 16 weeks in another week.

Yes I know what you mean about it feeling strangely invasive. I think it probably wouldn't feel as bad if it were for a positive reason iyswim but cvs and amnios are done for worrying and stressful reasons.

I hope you get your answers soon. They told us amnio would be 3 days for main trisomies but up to 2 weeks for full karyotype. As it was ours came back with a trisomy so we didn't need to wait for the full karyotype (which was done and we got the results at our 6 week check after my tfmr)

Thank you Kitty, your support is so greatly appreciated, and I have been thinking of you and your loss.

Thank you, I'm glad I can help a little bit.

Fingers crossed you get some results soon

Just got the all clear, so relieved. Thank you all so much for your support and sympathy, it was greatly appreciated.

Wonderful news. I hope you can enjoy the rest of your pregnancy now xx