Shocked with a Risk of downs.

[Dnadined93]

I'm 23. I already have two children whom are perfectly well. I am 13 weeks pregnant and just been called about my blood tests... 1 in 137 chance of downs which makes me a high risk. I don't know much about a baby with downs or how my life can change. Please I'm asking for advise and help.

[ighinici]

can you maybe do a NIPT test? they're a bit more expensive, but you'd get a more "clear" answer with regards to your pregnancy

[Roseandbee]

My friend was high risk (sorry don't know the exact figure but she was very upset) she got the NIPT and got the all clear (well very low risk anyway, NIPT is supposed to be the more accurate one

[Dnadined93]

Nipt test.? Is this something to do with the amniotic fluid? I have to have a talk about options tomorrow. Would like to know what I am dealing with.

[DappledThings]

1 in 137 isn't too high. I was 1 in 92 with DS, this time 1 in 376 but doctor told me evidence is getting better everyday and they now think 1 in 90 isn't even that high.

NIPT is one of the blood tests they can do now which will move your risk to a basically ignnorable 1 in 10,000 or 1 in 5 where you then have the option of an invasive test for confirmation.

[Pickerel]

I was 1 in 200 which was classed as high risk (just). I had an amnio which came back all clear.

[rubyfeet]

NIPT test- non invasive- so no risk of miscarriage. Costs around £400 to get done privately, NHS don't offer it. Many women choose this obviously as no risk to baby.

By the way- your risk not bad- you would have to have 137 babies for one of them to have downs. NHS test has 70% accuracy- rubbish really.

Also frined got 1 in 6- got all clear from NIPT test and baby did not have downs.

[MadeForThis]

Nipt rest is a sample of your blood analysed. Results are extremely accurate for downs, Edwards and another trisomy.

It relaxes the need for a cv test or an amnio which is a needle into the amniotic fluid and carries a very small miscarriage risk.

Results are either positive or 1:100000
It's usually only available privately for around £400 in my area.

[MadeForThis]

We had a 1:5 risk. Nipt test was clear. DD fine

[DrSpin]

Daft question how do you arrange a nipt test?

[MadeForThis]

It's a private blood test. Most ultrasound companies such as baby bond do it.

Just google to see who in your area comes up. It's about £400 here for a scan and the blood test. Results in about a week.

[LookImAHooman]

Echo Idiot. While you're deciding on testing, bear in mind there's a 136/137 chance the baby is fine. If it were me, I'd pay for the Harmony or other NIPT but appreciate it's not always possible.

[LumpySpaceCow]

The NIPT is non-invasive and can tell you with around 98-99% accuracy whether your baby will have down syndrome.
The other tests are diagnostic and are 100%. I think the test you are referring to is an amniocentesis however this does carry a risk of miscarriage.
Discuss the tests and options with your consultant. It isn't just about the testing, it's also what you will do with the results when you find out. Do you even want the tests?
Like others have said, you have more of a chance of having a baby without down syndrome, however the risk is still there. My friend came back as low risk and had no further testing - her child has down syndrome. I'm not trying to scare you, what I'm trying to say is that numbers don't mean much when it comes to this risk as although you have a lower chance, you can always be that 1.