Pregnant at forty and over - thread 3

[Marquand]

To continue support for mothers to be over 40.

What's the difference between Nifty/harmony and the nipt everyone's been going on about?

I believe they're all the same but under different names.

Nifty and harmony are all NIPT tests, as Russkispy says just different brand names. Look at the ARC website for more info - it's very detailed.

This was also in the paper this morning which you may find interesting www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/29/safer-downs-syndrome-test-nhs-pregnant-women-nipt?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Thanks russkipy I thought that. The link oldmum posted was what made me wonder but I see they're not introducing that test for two years yet. That's a bit pants. I'm terrified of the invasive testing but not sure I can afford the £400+ the tests seem to cost. With my first I refused testing completely but given my age I'd like to know and prepare for something like ds and previously I hadn't even considered that the baby might have a condition incompatible with life.

Sorry if I've upset you Bloopbleep by posting that link - i thought it would help answer your question, although you seem to suggest that the article made you ask the question. The invasive testing is a scary thought but you only need to consider it if you're given a high risk rating on the NHS, which most women are not, even over 40. I have been given the high risk rating and so feeling very sad and nervous/being sick and trying to work out my options. Some parts of the NHS are already offering the NIPT tests and I just think everyone should know about it. DS doesn't mean a child is incompatible with life anyway.

So the invasive test with needle in tummy and small risk of mc is free?

The harmony etc is £400 ish and just gives odds?

The invasive tests are currently offered free of charge on NHS to women termed high risk. There is a 1-2% risk of miscarriage. So if your 43 like me, termed high risk that seems pretty scary when you think this is your last chance of having a baby.

For the NIPT you currently have to pay for them, cost is £400/£500. They check baby's DNA in mother's blood and are 99.3% accurate. The article I posted is about the NHS introducing these in 2018 so people no longer have to have the invasive test. It says that Currently about 7,900 women agree to an invasive test and 46 miscarry. More than 2,000 choose not to have the test – either for fear of a miscarriage or because they would want to continue with their pregnancy whether or not the baby had a Down’s diagnosis.

The NIPT carries no risk of miscarriage.

Thank you for explaining. Df and I said we wouldn't have the invasive test as of mc and if we had a downs baby then we would cope

Tho guess diff is history of downs then can understand why someone would do the invasive one

Tho don't understand why pay £400 ish for a non invasive blood test that still can't guarantee yes or no. Just give odds

Out of curiosity. What is average for someone under 35 - over 35 - under 40 and over 40. Thanks

Oh no oldmum it didn't upset me, just got me thinking. I won't have the invasive test regardless of risk as I fear miscarriage far more than having a child with Down's syndrome. I too think this is my last chance so I'm not prepared to take the risk. I totally understand why others do get the test. If I happened to have the right money at the right time I'd consider paying.

Bloopbleep. Df and I feel the same. We said whatever the scan and BT showed vi NHS wouldn't make a diff

I just want to be a mummy. Yes obv everyone hopes their child is healthy but if bubs isn't then we will cope x

Blondes, many of the providers of NIPT tests such as Harmony will include the cost of an invasive diagnostic test (amniocentesis or CVS) if the NIPT result shows the baby is high risk. So it doesn't have to just end with the risk rating, the mother can decide to go on to have invasive testing (or not) which is definitive but carries the small risk of miscarriage.

I am not advocating it, by the way, just trying to explain where I think it fits into a woman's choices. The fact that it produces fewer false positives than the NHS screening means that there is a group of women who then do not need to have invasive testing to gain reassurance. And as I said, the results are available a bit earlier, which is valuable to some people.

Incidentally, with NIPT you can usually find out the gender - this at 10+ weeks instead of at 20 weeks. Some people will find that attractive.

Rotten night last night - insomnia bit again. Hoping for a better night tonight rather than an extra hour of insomnia as the clocks go back!

Thanks christmas sorry just seen your reply x

No worries. This thread has been quiet for a few days, hope everyone is doing okay

Been feeling nauseous for the past week now. Not vomiting though. And just woke up to go pee, and realized I slept all the way through the night! I remember I wanted pee during the night but suppressed it somehow! Not sure if I'll be that lucky with sleep tonight but one can hope! Early scan is only a week away! How's everyone doing/feeling?

I am feeling fine - my main symptoms are sore boobs and waking up to pee. Oh, and the nose of a bloodhound, can't even walk past a bin at the moment 😷. Have only just gone past the 5 week mark so still shouldn't get excited, though my mind does keep creeping forward in anticipation... Am going to go for a private scan around 7-8 weeks just to check it is all on track.

Sorry you are feeling a bit yuk Russkispy. All in a good cause!

Russkispy -my need to pee has slowed down too. I only got up once.

Christmas - _only one of my boobs hurts now. I wish they'd just stay sore, I can cope with sore boobs and it's a nice reminder. I'm 5+2 and must admit this past week of knowing has been the slowest of my life!

My symptoms come and go and I worry when they come and I worry when they go. Wish I could just relax into it

Hello everyone I hope you're keeping well.

Bloopbleep I'm 5 +3 today, with no symptoms other than I'm really tired at 9pm which is normal for me. I did a repeat test this morning and it was twice as dark as last week, and I've rung epu today to ask for hcg bloods to know for sure. I'm taking steroids and blood thinners etc, so I hope they'll agree. I'm keeping busy to take my mind of it, but its hard!

Wombletor - I hope epu are helpful for you. I don't think they'd be too receptive to me asking for some kind of support just yet. I'm not taking anything to help me as last pg I was told my body knows what to do and if it doesn't do that it's because the embryo is not viable. That didn't fill me with much confidence. I haven't tested since last week. Half of me is too scared and I keep thinking if it goes wrong I'll know about it soon enough. It's just so bloody scary tho.

Oh yes the 3am pee 😂

Rem the bin smell vividly. Used to say to df I had the nose of a blood hound. Coffee and beer I would smell a mile off !!!

I was 7w and walked past restaurant bins and own bins and heaved. Was with a friend who thought I was overreacting tho she didn't know I was preg

Told her that evening and she said she didn't click I was preg

The smell gets better tho red wine is too potent for me and told people not to drink it near me

Blondes, the sense of smell was the first thing that made me suspect I was pregnant, I said to my husband as he was making a salad 'that lettuce smells delicious'!! Nothing is making me feel sick though

Be thankful for lack of sickness !! Diagnosed as hg tho is a lot better now past 14w

Blondes HG must be dreadful, glad you are feeling better. Epu have called me back and I'm booked in the clinic next week. They remembered me :-)

I don't remember whether the sense of smell thing started this early last time but I definitely had it. I was locked in a room today for 3 hours with a woman who smelled of mildew-y clothes... urge.

I am just 5+1 today so there are a few of us in the same boat. This waiting phase is horrible, I was with my mum yesterday and it was hard not to say anything telling as it is so much on my mind.

I am coming down with a cold right now and on top of my tiredness and not being able to take the good drugs (Night Nurse) , I am feeling rather sorry for myself

One good night sleep and now back to insomnia! And dreams! So weird and some are scary! Never ending tossing and turning for me. Feeling nauseous throughout the day but without being sick. Also think I'm losing appetite but keep forcing myself to eat all the food things I've been eating all along,

7+2 today.