First Pregnancy at 36, combined test anxiety

[penguin7]

I have my 12 week dating scan on Tues and I've opted for the combined tests. First pregnancy and I'm 36 years of age. I'm so nervous and worrying and I've started to think with me being 36 will I get 'high' chance results and be called for further testing for DS and Edwards etc?
So nervous and and anxious, any help or advice would be appreciated.

I’m 38, this will be baby number 4 for me but I had my first 3 when I was much younger.

I was told by my midwife my age would automatically put my risk at high.

My ‘12 week’ nhs scan is on Monday when I’ll actually be 14 weeks.

Because of my age we’d already decided to opt to pay for a private SAFE nipt test. We had that done on Harley street today.

We had a super detailed scan, far more detailed than any nhs scan I’ve ever had. The checked the nt measurement, nasal bone, other soft markers, heart chambers, spine, limbs, kidneys, stomach, brain, placenta etc.

After the scan we were talked through a very detailed report and my background risks.

Basically the background risks are based on my age alone and gave me a risk of 1:159 for t21, 1:1883 for t18 and 1:1976 for t13.

Then the adjusted risk based on the scan findings, markers, nt, combined with my age adjusted my risks to 1:512 for t21, 1:6012 for t18, and 1:4431 for t13.

Then we had the nipt blood test done and we will wait for the results.

Because of having the NIPT which is a much more accurate test, I won’t be having the combined screening tests with the nhs scan.

My midwife said a lot of trusts actually won’t offer the combined screening anyway if they know you are awaiting nipt results as the nipt is more accurate and then a possible high risk result from the nhs testing could cause unnecessary worry.

You’re only 36 though so your risk wouldn’t be as high as mine.

I really wouldn’t worry.

Good luck for your scan!

@Moominmiss thank you so much for your detailed reply, we have talked about having NIPT/Harmony test so I know we do have that as an option and I know that is much more detailed and accurate which is reassuring. I will see how I get on Tuesday and next week and go from there.
Good Luck with your scan on Monday! ☺️

It is completely normal to feel anxious! I still feel anxious that the result might be wrong now and I'm 35 weeks! I was on edge waiting for my results and the relief was massive when they came through.

My results were:

Age 38 second baby - downs; 1/14240 & edwards; 1/23100

I had my first at 36 and the results were a bit better than that - My edwards was 1/100000 I think and my downs closer to 1/20000. In both cases very low though

Your age shouldn't automatically put you at high risk. I had my DD at 28 and my DS at 36 and all the results were great. I am expecting my third in the summer, I am now 37, and this time I was high risk. But not solely because of my age.

In the end as I came out as high risk (1:56 for Down syndrome) I had a CVS on the same day as my scan and got the all clear 3 days later.

I was nervous too, it's completely normal. Wishing you the best of luck.

@sylbunny @Dogsandbabies thank you for your replies ☺️
I am a worrier anyway so I do fully expect next week to be such a worry fest! Fingers crossed all will be ok, will try and think positive.
I've always wanted to have a baby and never thought it would be such an anxious time from the day I got my BFP. Fear of the unknown!aargh!x

Totally understand your worries - I was 42 and 43 with my girls everything came back low risk - try not to worry you're very young still !