downs syndrome test

Dr today said I go back in a few weeks to do blood work and a sonogram to test for downs syndrome? I thought downs syndrome was determined a different way (what am I thinking of?) and only in older moms, but Dr says everyone does this test? Anyone familiar with this/doing this too?


Edited to add: I see when I posted this, the related post from 12/2008 seems to be what I am doing- a screening to see what the the chances are. I have mixed feelings about this-I wouldn't do an amnio and I wouldn't not have the baby if it had downs syndrome- should I bother with the screening? Do I need to know the results-Wouldn't I just worry the rest of my pregnancy not knowing for sure except that I have a high chance (I am assuming it will be high - no reason to think so though)

Message edited 6/30/2011 7:40:54 PM.

Re: downs syndrome test

I do know someone who told her doctor she wanted none of those tests bc she was having the baby regardless and did not want to worry. You do have this option

Re: downs syndrome test

Are you 12 weeks? If so this is probably your NT scan. And no, everyone doesn't do it. I didn't do this test or the 16 weeks one. My doctor, and my DH, felt they could cause undue stress, and if there is an issue, we will find out a birth. I too wouldn't have an amnio, so why be stressed for the rest of the pregnancy. My doctor said I didn't need the results b/c there is so much they know through 3D sonos, which he has in his office. Do I sometimes worry something could be wrong? Of course, but we will handle it at birth, just like we would have to handle it now.

Re: downs syndrome test

Thanks.. I will be about 11 and a half weeks when this test is scheduled... .hmmm I wonder if this test shows any thing else besides the 'chance' of downs syndrome? Anyone else not take it?

Re: downs syndrome test

It is the NT test, probably, and they do some blood work(AFP), too. But with this test there are so many false positives, it could cause undue stress.

The NT test is a sono where they look at the folds on the babies neck. Usually by that point they can see by these folds if the baby has down's, but obviously its not 100% accurate and measurements could be all over the place.

You could take the test and if it came back with something you could be concerned about, then you can just be mentally prepared for dealing with a special needs child be reading up, etc. But again, these tests are so inaccurate I don't know why they bother.

Re: downs syndrome test

its the NT scan and its not required but most people get it.

I opted out of it and i will be having an amnio later one.

The NT scan isnt a diagnosis it just gives out odds of havign it. I opted out since I am 38 and i know my odds are higher so I wanted to know for sure with the amnio.

Re: downs syndrome test

I was going to opt out because of the reaosn you have listed. The only thing that made me do it is I didnt want to miss any chance to see our LO. The sono was about 10 min or so for mine. I also asked the Dr. not to share any results with me unless it was abnormal. I know it sounds silly but I didnt want to have ANY numbers in my head to stress about.

Re: downs syndrome test

Re: downs syndrome test

We opted out of this screening. It is not mandatory. We knew that we weren't going to do an amnio regardless of the results, and would have the baby even if it did have DS - the same as you. So we felt it was an unnecessary test. While I wanted to see the baby again, DH is very much against exposing the baby to anything that isn't mandatory.

Re: downs syndrome test

My doctor doesn't do this test if you are under 35 (which I am) unless you ask for it.

I think I would like to do it just to have a chance to see the baby again in the first trimester. After having a miscarriage I want to see the baby as many times as I can to give me piece of mind that things are okay in there.

I saw someone else posted that they only wanted the odds if something came back abnormal and I think that is a good idea.

I'm not really sure that I understand the way the results are given and I don't want to be worrying over the odds. On the other hand if I don't do the testing I'd have to wait until 20 weeks to see the baby again and I honestly don't think I can wait that long after what I've been through.

At this point though I'm just hoping to make it to my 9 week appointment in one piece.

Message edited 6/30/2011 4:49:08 PM.

Re: downs syndrome test

I had the test done. In addition to testing for Down Syndrome it tests for trisomy 18 and trisomy 13 which are both very different from Down syndrome. The test itself is completely non-invasive and consists of a sonogram (where you get to see your baby from every possible angle) and a blood test (the one where they prick your finger).

I chose to have the test due to my age (35) and because I did not want to have an amnio unless something negative came back in one of my tests/bloodwork. Just a personal choice.