12 week scan tomorrow - Undecided whether to have the combined tests

[ELCSPlease]

Pretty much as the title says, I keep going backwards and forwards on it!

My thinking is, if it comes back as low risk then that's all good. If it comes back high risk, I don't think I'd go through with the amnio as the risk of miscarriage makes me uncomfortable (although according to the NHS site it's only 1 in 200 pregnancies that sadly would end in a miscarriage). So then I'd essentially spend the next 6 months worrying, maybe unnecessarily 🤷🏼‍♀️

This is my second pregnancy, we didn't have the tests for DC1 and they were born with no health issues thankfully. I'm only 31 so don't think my age should be too much of an issue!

I didn’t, but for different reasons to you. I’m older this time around at 38 so wanted a little more reassurance than I think the nhs combined tests can offer so we skipped them and paid privately for a SAFE nipt where we then got the lowest result possible (1:100,000).

When I was younger though and having my other children I barely gave the testing a second thought. In fact I only really had them done because I figured they were routine. I didn’t think twice about what the results might have shown 😂 oh to be so naive again!

I wanted the combined test but baby wouldn't co-operate so in the end it was too late. I declined the quad as it's DS only and I would not terminate for that. Edward's and Patau's can be picked up at the 20 week scan so I figured it wasn't the end of the world I couldn't have the combined tests

Yes I forgot to mention, I wouldn't terminate for Downs Syndrome either. I think I would for either T18 or T21 because of how I think it would affect my DC and DSC to see me go through a pregnancy and then us not have a baby at the end of it, I couldn't expect them to understand that.

DH doesn't think that we should have it, although says that the final decision is obviously with me. Aaargh! I have a feeling I will decline when I get there tomorrow but it'll be on my mind from now until then

I'm 36 now, had the test with all pregnancy where it was offered, was 21 with eldest. All have come back low risk, our 5 current children are all healthy and current is looking good so far (23+1wk).
Even if you wouldn't terminate it is good to know if you are going to have a baby with such issues so you can prepare. There are alternative tests to the amnio which are less invasive and have high accuracy too.

The amnio risk is much lower than that for a healthy foetus. There’s also NIPT.
Maternal age isn’t the only factor.
A baby with DS may need extra support at birth.
Definitely make the decision that’s right for you and your family but ensure that you get basing it on the correct information.