Big increase in Downs risk from previous pregnancy to current one.

[WhatAHooHa]

Just received the results for my Down's Syndrome screening, and it comes up as 1 in 358.
This is, apparently, low risk but I'm slightly puzzled as to why it is so massively massively different to when I had my son, 2 years ago, when it was 1 in 7637.

I was just turned 30 when I was screened with him, I am now 32 so not a great deal older. DH is 4 years older then me. I did wonder if it was higher because ds turned out to have a major heart defect, would this kind of history affect the results?

Although the letter states 1:358 as low risk, it feels extremely high compared to last time. I think I'm slightly shaken by it!

Is anybody able to help me understand what goes into deciding this figure? What factors are taken into consideration that would cause such a big change?

Didn't want to leave this unanswered - but I'm hardly an expert. I had the harmony test done in Harley Street at the Fetal Medicine Centre (FMC) - costs about 500 but is much more accurate and they do more thorough scans as well, which are included in the cost.

The Combined Test uses markers in your blood work, and I believe your weight and age, and the nuchal transluency diameter to complete a risk factor. It will be a combination of these factors that have given you a higher risk score than your previous pregnancy.

If you can afford it - the Harmony test can give you more accurate results. Mine when from 1:3500 (Combined Test) down to less than 1:10000 with the Harmony. At 13 weeks - the FMC checked all fingers and heart brain bladder etc... it was amazing. The equipment they have is state of the art. If you can afford it - I would recommend it. But remember, your risk could go higher with this test - but they include the CVS or Amnio if it does in the cost.