High risk downs

[Edinburgh00]

High risk for Down syndrome 13 weeks + 1 bloods and scan
Hi all I am looking some advice, I am 36 and my midwife told me at booking don’t be alarmed if you come back as high risk because of your age. I thought surely not , well I got a phone call today from my local screening midwifes to say the my bloods have came back as high risk for downs 1/51 ? I had the nuchal scan also which was 3mm which I was told at the time is considered normal but all this combined with my age, bmi (slightly higher than normal) and bloods have put me in a high risk category. I don’t even know what to do think. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Many thanks xxxx

I know once you are over 35 the odds are always high. it's because of the way it's calculated. The only way to get a genuine clear picture is to have the Harmony test which takes DNA and is around 99% accurate and non invasive, or have the amnio which is more invasive but 100% accurate.

Please don't panic too much just yet (easier said than done I know) but if you look up the odds (I don't know them off hand) you will see how often the NHS test isn't correct.

HTH x

Thank you for your quick reply. I am trying to look at things logically and a statistic that ratio is 98% chance the baby won’t have downs. I think I need to try and stop worrying a little until I know more, but like you say easier said than done. X

I was 32 and had high risk of Down's Sydrome, Edwards and Patau's (almost 2 years ago now). We had the CVS and all was fine. The whole experience was awful and we risked a miscarriage by having been recommended the CVS. I hate the statistics now. Next time I'd rather just go straight to the Harmony test.

I know, it's awful. I had the Harmony test (pricy, but worth the peace of mind) as I showed symptoms of possible Edward Syndrome. As PP said, the wait was torture and I convinced myself of the worse but all turned out fine.

The odds really are in your favour, plus scan looked good.

Lots of others on here will know much more but those will be your options from here x

Thank you for your reply oochsmooch, the Edwards and Pataus as camelback low risk 1in 32456 it is just the downs that has came back high. I will definitely look into the harmony test , I too would be so worried with the miscarriage risks associated with the Amnio or CVS. I am meeting with the antenatal screening midwife tomorrow so I will keep you all updated. X

I was 30 and my result came back as 1 in 34. I had a CVS and it came back clear and my little boy just had his first birthday and is absolutely fine. A colleague's daughter has just gone through the same in fact though I don't know what her score was.

A lot of people say don't test if it wouldn't change the outcome but we decided to do it just so we would know what we were dealing with.

It's only a statistic, a likelihood based on (as you say) a bunch of different factors. It's not a diagnostic test or IMHO all that great as it puts loads of women through totally unnecessary upset.

Thank you for your reply it means a lot to hear that other people have gone through similar and it can be ok xx

I had a high nuchal reading and something like 1:40 which then went to 1:5 after blood tests. It was a hideous time but a CVS confirmed negative for downs, Edwards and Patau and ds now 9 has no problems at all

Thank you for your reply. Yes your right it won’t change the outcome, I think I just wasnt expecting it all, even though the midwife said because of your age it will more than likely come back as increased. I don’t think it helps that I don’t feel 36 (more 30 lol ). X