Downsynodrome Pregnancy Concerns

[mptj2110]

Unfortunately this hasn't been the most pleasant pregnancy, I suffer from severe anxiety as well as mental health, I'm 35 years 6 months. This pregnancy hasn't been smooth sailing. I paid for a NIPT test in July (Currently 32 weeks pregnant) and all came back low risk and I also opted for the NHS screening which came low risk however I'm fully aware it's not diagnostic. My 31st week I had a 4D scan as I still wasn't reassured and I'm still not reassured after the morning after the 4D scan I was referred to a growth scan where he's measuring in between and isnt growing as I'd like. I'm really struggling to cope, I have no one to talk to and I feel very alone. I have it ingrained in my brain due to my age I will have a down syndrome baby.

Can anyone help, I've attached photos.

I think you need to speak to someone about your anxiety rather than this. You are quite late on have had many tests …. Your baby will be arriving soon and will need you to be less anxious speak to your midwife for support.

Only 1 in 350 pregnancies of women aged 35 will be affected by Down's syndrome. Based on your NIPT result you will be one of the 349. But as PP says, this is an anxiety issue, not a health issue.

Hey, I completely know how you feel and I was the exact same during my pregnancy with my daughter. Constant anxiety that something would be wrong and getting the nurses to double and triple check that there wasn’t signs of downs or any other abnormality. My daughter was born completely healthy and is a thriving 5 year old now I was also 35 when I had her. The feelings you are feeling are completely normal as your hormones are all over the place and many of us go through the exact same worries. It’s your baby and you just want the absolute best for them. I know how lonely it feels to have these thoughts and everyone else seems to shrug them off or think you’re being dramatic but your feelings are absolutely valid. I know It’s easier said than done but try and trust what the medical professionals tell you. They’ve done this many times before and they wouldn’t keep it from you if there was any risk. You haven’t got too long left of the pregnancy so just try and hold in there, these feelings will all wash away when you have your healthy baby in your arms. Hugs x

Op before really good scanning was in place there was a lot of emphasis on age as a risk factor, because they couldn’t differentiate between unaffected and affected babies born to older mothers. I have multiple friends who have had children at 35 and over and many much older than you, eg 43 and 47. None of them have had a baby with Downs. The approach to understanding risk has moved on from how it was 20 years ago.

I would recommend speaking to the Tommy’s midwives helpline as they have had training in this kind of worry and IME are very supportive.

You’ve had the only tests you can have for down’s which have come back low risk. Not quite sure what you mean by “measuring in between” but this wouldn’t be related to Down’s.

I agree that it’s probably the anxiety causing bigger issues than anything else. 35 is not a particularly risky age, and the NIPT, whilst not diagnostic, is very accurate for DS likelihood, so do take that low chance as reassurance. I wouldn’t worry about the size of the baby at this last scan unless the sonographer indicated any concern. Not every child will sit on the 50th percentile- that’s not how stats work. If everything else has looked ok so far, and you had a clear anomaly scan at 20 weeks, I’d take that all as good news. Good luck for the remains few weeks. I’m there with you as will be 33 weeks on Wednesday!