Downs syndrome - 1 chance in 168

[Wishbub]

I've got my first trimester screening result back and it's 1 chance in 168 for downs syndrome. NHS say they do not offer further testing at this level of chance. I guess my options are to go private to find out more. Anyone have any experience at this level of chance? Is it worth getting further tests? I realise I'm close to the 'high chance' margin. Thanks.

I was a 1 in 40 chance but I was an older Mum (41). I was offered an amniocentesis test, which I refused. I went for a simple blood test which narrowed down the original result, which was a bit better. I decided that I didn't want any further tests and I'd accept whatever will be, will be. When my DS was born, he had an extra crease behind his knee, but no other markers at all. He did have ASD (diagnosed later) but otherwise absolutely healthy otherwise. He's now a teen. I have a feeling I paid private for the extra blood test and another scan, but it wasn't expensive.

Thank you. I'm older as well this time (just turned 42) so understand this has increased my chances. Do you remember how many weeks you were when you went for the private blood test? I'm already 14 1/2 weeks now. Thank you

I was given odds around that , at the same age. I didn’t have any further testing as I would have kept my baby anyway, but she has no issues.

I'm 39 had a 1/165 result from the NHS test but due to age had already chosen to have a private NIPT (Harmony/Safe/panorama etc brand) which came back less than 1:10,000. It cost around £350.
Although I wasn't offered it on nhs, they did offer it privately via them (so in the same place but just had to pay) which I think would have worked out a bit cheaper, is thissomething you could check with your trust?

If you can afford the nipt I would really recommend to set your mind at rest and I don't think the 14 weeks matters (it is blood test result, takes about a week or so to get results, so not from a scan measurement like the nhs combined test where they check the nuchal measurement too). Going forward, when you have 20 week anomaly scan if you get anything like short femur measurements (soft markers for Downs) like me it really helped me to know I had those very low risk results and am just growing a short arse (like me 😅)

I expect in future the NIPT will replace the combined (NHS) test as it is acknowledged to be far more accurate but is newer technology.

Thank you all, you've been incredibly helpful. I'm going to find out about the NIPT.