To be worried about screening results even though low risk?

[Rose559]

I got my results for my combined screening on Friday which came back with 1 in 1188 and low risk. I initially didn’t think much of it and just read the lower risk bit and disregarded the letter but then others started talking about their results in the December babies group and I started to compare.

Others are getting results of 1 in 45000, 1 in 15000 etc and the next closest to mine is 1 in 4000. Being a serial Googler I have spent the weekend reading and reading about it and worrying myself silly. I know everyone is different and I shouldn’t compare (easier said then done) but feels like it should be much lower for my age?

I will phone first thing tomorrow so see if they have a reason my risk is higher than it “should be” but what questions should I be asking?

I’m 27 and this is my first baby.

Thank you everyone. Appreciate this is a sensitive subject 💜

@Foreverbaffled I suffer with anxiety too hence how I’ve let the results bother me so much. It doesn’t help that I’m on a group with people due the same time as me all discussing their results and getting number like 1 in 92000 etc. My Mum is trying to talk sense into me telling me I’m going to worry about everything and their isn’t a test for every thing I’m going to worry about. If it was half the price I wouldn’t bat an eyelid but £400 is a lot, it is financially viable for us though.

Got my results from the lab. Can anyone make any sense of this to know what made my risk higher than others? The NT or bloods? Not sure what bloods are meant to be! Thank you!!

It s still small risk but I have dc with condition which is not trisomy 21 13 or 18 so i am more aware there are myriad other conditions.
So I am not going to dismiss concerns.

"Not down syndrome" does not mean no other condition. With family history you could delve further. Were the still births investigated and genetics analysed?
Any identified genetic or metabolic condition? How recently were they?
You could try and ask family members if tests were done. If they amenable.
Get nipt for more info but remember the screening you have is only risk of three main trisomies. You are low risk for them. NT Is normal.
But
There are literally hundreds of other conditions albeit rare in themselves.
You would likely know if the still births related to a 13 21 or 18 trisomy. But might not know if it was some other condition. Were still births across same family branch? Any other identified condition? Were they boys or girls? (Some conditions might be worse ie fatal for males or females)

Could be interesting to ask more if they amenable and willing. But if some time ago there might not be genetic analysis.

You cannot change your babies genetics.

Plot family tree and still births and ask doctors. A number of still births in family might be clue to a hereditary genetic condition. Or might be just random . But...some hereditary metabolic conditions can be treated if known about in advance.

I’m not qualified to make any comment on your blood results but I think if you’re worrying this much then you should probably just have the NIPT test to give you some relief.

As the previous poster said you can’t change your babies genetics. For that reason you need to try and surrender some control. You could drive yourself mad worrying about every possible thing that could go wrong.

Hope you’re okay x

Your result is because of your nuchal thickness. It is higher end of normal. I had the same with each of my pregnancies. I just gestate kids with thick nuchal folds. All were fine. My highest risks was 1:10 and even he was fine.

Pay for Harmony to put your mind at rest. I’m pregnant again and due to my age and my history of think nuchal folds I am sure I will be v v high risk so I’m have Harmony before they even measure the nuchal.

Op you really can't compare yourself to one or two others in a baby group. Only the background and adjusted numbers are the points to look at and your results are completely fine and within range for a healthy baby (where that range is gathered from a significant number of women who had healthy babies over several years)

You might want to speak to your midwife about your anxiety though and get some support now and post birth if you feel more paranoid than you think you should.

Without a cause known for family still births, which often there isn't, you need to trust the information you are being given, and if something was wrong, you'd have been given different information than what is on your report.

Thanks all. In regards to the stillbirths it was my fiancé’s Mum and her aunties around 30-35 years ago and it was never found what caused them, was just one of those things back then. Have also seen my HCG is double the “normal” which as well as downs has links to problems with the placenta which caused my niece to be born 7 weeks premature 11 years ago. Going to look into the NIPT today but like others have said I’m going to worry about everything until that baby is in my arms and I can’t have tests for every little thing!

Placenta can be viewed on scans.
Mention your niece and ask if you can have extra scans.

By 20 weeks you get good physical images and you will have more information.

Genetics was in its infancy 30 years ago and today there might be more info.

But even if there was a link you may not know enough to test prenatally.
Chances are that everything is fine
And anything else you will deal with when it happens.
Find a way to not worry until you have something to worry about... 1 in 1000 us not a big risk at all. You can ask midwife to refer to some CBT or do some online via NHS on managing anxiety.
When born you still worry ! But you learn to deal with whatever challenges.

You really don't have results to be worried about. You're low risk. Like previous posters have said I'd speak to someone about your anxieties. Your 20 week scan will reveal more information but the chances are things are fine. People with results such as 1 in 10,000 still have babies with abnormalities, it's very rare but it does happen. I know it's hard but try put the number at the back of your head and think of the low risk results.

Mine were 1:1200 for downs and 1:980 for pataus and Edwards which is scary low compared to even yours! But my 20 week scan went perfectly and he's doing great. I'd pay for another test if it's going to bother you this much. Good luck OP! You'll probably give birth and realise the anxiety was for nothing, don't let it ruin your pregnancy xx

@Rose559 - OP I totally get why you’re anxious but I don’t think anyone on here can give you any additional context that would stop your concerns.
I had similar concerns over my results and just went for a harmony test.
£400 to give you peace of mind is nothing in the scheme of things.
I now have a beautiful, healthy little 11 week old passed out on me.
It’ll work out 😊

Thanks everyone for your advice. Harmony test booked for 3rd July for piece of mind. Going to try and take my mind off it until then. Have spoken with my midwife about premature and stillbirth concerns and we’re going to talk about it when I see her on 8th July.

Just an update! Thank you everyone. Low risk result for everything and it’s a BOY!!!

That's amazing! I was nervous about a marker at 20 weeks, a thicker nuchal fold. Got my NIPT results as well as low risks, and BOY as well

Hiya! Your results are very similar to mine, I had higher hcg, papp-a was 1.6 mom and nuchal food was 2.2. I ended up having harmony for peace of mind and had a low risk come back. I went on to have my 20 week scan all perfect. How are you getting on? How many weeks do u have left. I my self are like u I over think everything! Xx

Hi,

I know this is an old thread but I’m in the same situation and have found myself worrying and not sleeping from the stress.

Did you end up having a NIPT? X

Hope everything went well! X