why the difference in results- downs syndrome tests?!

[dobbins]

Hi- just a bit confused and after some advice. I had a nuchal fold scan at 11 weeks where my odds of having a baby with downs syndrome where 1 in 3,000. I've just had my 16 week blood test for spina bifida and dwons syndrome (again although I didn't know this was happening). The results for this latest test came back as a 1 in 350 chance of having a baby with downs syndrome. I don't get it! Not overly concerned but would be interested to hear what other people's thoughts were on this or own experiences.

My doctor said not to bother with bloods - he said (like Sassafrass and Diege say) the nuchal is far better than the bloods. My nuchal was 1:1,800 so he said don' t bother - please don't worry.

Thanks for all the reassuring messages. Diege- research sounds like it will be very useful- good luck with that. Tegan- totally understand your decision not to have some tests- it starts you down a path that you perhaps hadn't really wanted to take (feel a bit like this- first baby and not sure of anything- maybe I don't ask the right questions so my fault too...)

as the parent of a child with down syndrome I am absolutely shocked ( but sadly not surprised) at what the midwife had to say to you tegan.

As far as I understand the nuchal translucency screening is the more accurate of the two tests in determining your chance of having a child with down syndrome. However a raised nuchal fold measurement can be indicative of a number of conditions other than down syndrome - the medical profession just seem to focus so much on that rather than all of the other conditions .

Dobbins - it is totally NOT your fault. The job of the medical professional is to make you aware of the reasons for the test, how it is done and the consequences of it so you can give informed consent. I was only offered the triple test with my third pregnancy. I already knew a bit about it and felt that being given a 'risk' was not helpful to me so I refused it. I did feel that there was an expectation that you would have it and if it had been my first pregnancy I think I might have felt 'compelled' to go along with it. I think you get more argumentative assertive with each baby

Like i have said whether we have any test or not i would never have a termination if my child had downs.

Thanks NorthernLurker- need to be more assertive- as you say with this being my first pregnancy I do tend to go along with things and question later.