Downs syndrome testing

[abigail2512]

Has anyone had the test for downs syndrome and the others at their first scan? What does it consist of? I'm petrified of needles and I've read all sorts

Hey, don't be terrified! You can either opt in or out of the screening at your 12 week scan. If you opt in, they just look at certain measurements on the scan and take some blood afterwards (which is routinely taken in pregnancy anyway). If all is clear, you should receive a letter within a week or so :-)

They take measurements of fluid behind baby's neck on scan. And then you go for a blood test.
Nothing to worry about just had mine done :)

Hi
Yes I had the combine screening test just before Christmas they just take your bloods and then if your not a risk your receive a letter in the post if it come back high risk which mine did they should phone you and explain when they called me they told me I was 1 out of 113 anything under 250 I think is high risk lucky for me I was sent the next day to have the harmony test which is a more in-depth test that test the baby DNA mine came back low risk. Try not to worry it is a simple blood test

Thank you, I've just read on the NHS that they insert a needle into your abdomen and take a sample from your placenta and then another saying they insert a needle into your uterus and it got me panicking.

That's only if you go on for the more invasive testing after a high risk result.

The test I had is the non invasive they offered me that as I was 13 weeks when my results came in and I was told if the harmony test came back high then I would have the more invasive test done

The tests where they insert a needle are not the standard test they do at the 12 weeks scan. The 12 week scan test is a measurement as part of your scan and a blood test

If you come back high risk you will be offered the tests you have read about if you want a conclusive answer. Obv you can decline

They just do your scan, measure the fluid behind baby's neck and send you for a quick blood test. Had mine done Monday and just got a letter saying everything is low risk.

Bless you, I'm also petrified of needles but being pregnant has helped a little bit!

As everyone has said, they give you your 12 weeks scan and will take the measurements on the screen of the back of the neck. They also took my blood straight after. They combine the measurements with the blood test plus other factors like your age and you either get a phone call if you're deemed higher risk or a letter if lower.

Any other more invasive tests are also totally your choice but only offered if you're higher risk

I've just read on the NHS that they insert a needle into your abdomen and take a sample from your placenta and then another saying they insert a needle into your uterus and it got me panicking.

Those are the descriptions respectively for CVS and amniocentesis. You would only be offered these if your combined screening (bloods + scan) showed a high risk for chromosomal abnormalities, and in many trusts you would now be offered non-invasive testing like Harmony. Please don’t fret.

At my trust you don't wait for a letter or phone call. You are told to go off for a coffee for an hour or so then come back and get your results right away.

If your risk is measured at greater than 1:500 you are offered Harmony.

You don't have to have any invasive tests anymore - you can opt to have the harmony test (you have to pay for it in my NHS trust). You would only have this if your initial screening came back high risk, which is done by a blood test and a measurement at your 12 week scan.

@snowone really you have to pay at your trust I was given it for free on my NHS trust

Had to pay for the Iona test (another version of harmony) at my trust too. But it was cheaper than private

I opted out of the NHS tests and paid privately for the Harmony test which is way more accurate (as a bonus it told us the sex of our baby very early on!)