High Downs Syndrome Risk

[Vander]

Hello all
I'm 19 weeks p/g and was recently given my Downs Syndrome Risk over the phone by community midwife (results were high but not ridiculously so - 1:130).
An apt was made for us at the hosp to discuss what could be done (i.e amnio etc.). My husband and I have opted to do nothing at the moment and to wait for our 2nd scan (in 3 weeks time). I know that they can tell you a bit more at the 2nd scan and that if they don't detect anything then it halves your chances again (although not a much better result, obviously better than my first one).
We're very confused about everything. The thought of having an amnio is causing high emotion although I'm not sure I can enjoy the rest of my pregnancy not knowing about our unborn child. It's not as it p/g women don't worry enough as it is?
If anyone has been in the same (or similar) situation could you let me know how you handled it? Thanks a lot!!

[derbymom]

Hi Vander. really empathise with your situation. When I was having dd 2 years ago my test results came back as 1 in 27 risk of DS. Me and DH decided to have the amnio as we wanted to know one way or the other as I would have spent the remainder of my pregnancy worrying about it. Stangely enough even before the amnio I had decided not to terminate whatever the outcome.

I found the amnio to be OK and the staff at the hospital were great. When the needle goes in it is quite uncomfortable but DH watched on the monitor and could see that the needle was no where near the baby. I then took a week off work and did nothing.

Test results came back negative and now have a wonderful 2.5 year old daughter.

All of this is great and so are other people's experience but only you can decide what is best for you. The worst thing for me would have been to miscarry due to the amnio but for me that risk was much lower than the DS risk.

I hope everything works out for you whatever you decide to do.