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High Risk for DS Failed NIPT

4 replies

happilyeverafter94 · 07/04/2022 10:35

I just can't shake of this bad feeling that something is bound to be wrong.

I have PCOS and a bicornate uterus. I spent many years thinking I couldn't have children. My periods were about once a year growing up. I have always been overweight so I lost 3 stone after my wedding and my periods starting on every month! After starting metformin, I conceived my boy after one month. The pregnancy was very straight forward and I gave birth to a perfectly healthy boy with no complications.

I unfortunately put on all the weight I'd lost again during the pandemic but for some reason, I continued to have periods every month when my boy was 9 months old. I always told myself I wanted a 3 year age gap between my children. Due to knowing it can take a while I starting trying when my boy was 2. Nothing happened so I requested to go back on metformin again. After 8 months on metformin I conceived again. The timing was perfect. My boy would be 3 and a half, the birthday would be at a perfect time with my husband's business so I would actually get this help this time. It was just TOO perfect. I'm a natural worrier and I just felt like because I didn't lose weight before this pregnancy, I would be punished in some way. There's no way I could be this lucky.

At 9 weeks I had very heavy, sudden bleed. I immediately thought I was having a miscarriage. Luckily the bleeding died down very quickly. A private scan the next day showed the baby was fine and the cause of the bleeding was gone.

I had my NHS scan at 11w 4 days. The sonographer measured me as 2 days ahead, which I thought was a good sign as that must mean the baby is thriving. NT came back as 2.4mm. My first boy was 2.3mm so I wasn't concerned at all. Then had my bloods taken.

2 days later I get a call in the middle of Tesco my risk for edwards and Pataus is very low but my risk for DS was 1 in 113. My PAPP-A came back low at 0.42. All my other results were fine, I'm 27yo. I was petrified, I was just repeating in my head ... this is it. This is my punishment.

Opted for a NHS funded NIPT. The wait was the worst. I didn't leave the house, I kept on crying and I suddenly felt very disconnected to my bump. Just numb. 6 days of waiting and my results came back as void. Not enough fetal DNA. I know this can happen when you're overweight.

I now have to wait 6 days to have another NIPT done and with Easter soon, I'm guessing my next wait will be longer. I don't know how I'm going to cope over the next 2 weeks. This has been already been the worst week of my life.

OP posts:
BabyOnBoard90 · 08/04/2022 02:05

Having been in a similar position my only advice is to keep yourself very occupied. Read, watch entertainment, exercise and socialise.

It won't be easy but the time will pass by a bit quicker

Weathergirl1 · 08/04/2022 16:50

I think there's an NIPT test called SAFE that needs less foetal DNA and is recommended for heavier mums. I'd suggest looking at the arc website: www.arc-uk.org - I haven't used them myself but they're supposed to be really supportive.

I'm sorry I can't think of anything more to suggest to make you feel better. 💐

TreadLightly3 · 10/04/2022 00:41

Hey OP I’m sorry to hear about the stress you’re having. It might help to remember that 1 in 113 is a less than 1% chance of DS and over 99% chance no DS.

Also, if it were true that people got punished for things in the form of their babies not being ok we wouldn’t see so many awful people lucky enough to have healthy, brilliant kids. Good luck to you Flowers

numberthirtytwowindsorgardens · 10/04/2022 03:35

I had low papp-a and was told 1/9 chance of Downs with my second. Currently feeding her - she doesn't have it. I know how awful you feel: thinking of you. Be brave Flowers Remember they give high risk results to an awful lot of babies who turn out to be perfectly healthy. Keeping my fingers crossed for you.

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