NT testing etc

[Sessy19]

I’m currently only 5+6, so I have a long way to go. But I’m 37, I know there is a higher risk associated with this pregnancy than if I was 10yrs younger.

Is someone with experience able to tell me if I will be automatically graded high risk simply on my age, for the tests in the next few weeks? What order do all the tests, scans and options come in???

My sister has freaked me out....I cheerfully told her I’d had a BFP, and instead of a congratulations, she warned me that I’m probably carrying a deformed foetus. In fact she used those exact words!! 😢😢😢

I’m an adult, so I know some of the facts about these things, but I am freaking out and maybe a bit confused. Can someone help? At all? Please??

I'm 35 and a non-smoker etc. My standard risk for the main chromosomal anomalies that they test for was 1 in 366 for DS and 1 in 3649 for the others. At your 12 week scan they then take the measurements and a blood test. All of those factors then combine to give your risk level - all of my scores came out much lower than my ages risk (1 in 10000 for DS and 1 in 100000 for the others). If you want, you can go private and get the Harmony test from 10 weeks but we decided to wait and get the NHS results. You're really not that old; your sister is ridiculous!

They will give you a higher starting risk due to your age, but this doesn't automatically mean you'll be high risk.

My sister had her first baby when she was late 20s and got a high risk result. Had two further babies in her mid-30s and got low risk results. I had my first at 36 and was low risk, now pregnant with my second at 38 and although I came back as high risk, it was because I have a low PAPP-A hormone level (treatable and nothing to worry about) baby was low risk for everything on further testing.

Swings and roundabouts, you don't know until you get the test, bit your sister is very narrow-minded on it all!

Congratulations on the BFP!

Right, both, thank you so much! That has somewhat reassured me.

I think my sister is actually a bit jealous that I’m the first to be pregnant. But she works in genetics, so she should really be a bit considerate!! She’s never been blessed with any tact!