need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

depending on my age and the blood tests I had my chances from the results are 1/155. I don't know what this means. I am so scared and beyond upset. dr recommended a animo. so I am going this week.

anyone been in this situation? PLEASE HELP!!!

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

I know how overwhelming and scary this can be. I was at a high risk for something else, and did have an amnio. Having the amnio was the best thing ever for me. It turned out everything was OK, and gave me peace of mind. The not knowing and waiting was the worst part. Right now there is absolutely nothing you can do but schedule the amnio, and try to put it out of your mind and take care of yourself. I know that sounds impossible, and it probably is, but do your best. Treat yourself to movies and other distractions until you get your results. Also know, those odds are not horrible. Everyone here is wonderful if you need to talk.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Try not to stress as diffucult as that is. So many times after you have the Amnio everything turns out fine. I had 2 friends have something similar happen. One was like you and had a high risk of downs, everything turned out totally fine. Another friend was actually told that her baby had severe mental retardation and her baby had no limbs, and that she needed to make a decision on whether to go through with it. She suffered so much, crying all the time, stress, well she had the amnio and everything was absolutley healthy and perfect. I was so happy for her. Iam not saying its not something you should worry about, but just have hope and pray. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers as well that your little angel will be ok.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

I had something similar happen Mine was 1/141 for Trisomy 18. BUT at the 12-week NST, the scan was perfect. The technician (who was an actual doctor) went through every detail of my sons body, so DH and I KNEW there was nothing wrong with the baby.
We refused the amnio, since 1/141 was less than a 1/2% chance of that being true.

The test is just a screening, a risk factor. The test is flawed in so many ways that I am not sure why they administer it. A finger prick just does not seem like a reliable way to get enough blood for a real diagnosis and 90% of the time it causes uneccessary stress to mothers to be.

Hang in there

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Ugh! That is exactly why I hated all of the tests that the OBs suggest we all take! The results are nothing but ratios! If you want a definitive answer as to whether your baby has a genetic issue, I would suggest getting an amnio. I had one with each of my pregnancies and the peace of mind it gave me was unparalleled. I knew both times, exactly what was going on inside of me with 99.9% accuracy. Though an amnio does not test for all genetic problems, it does test for many. Good luck with your decision.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Thank you ladies. We are both nervous about this. we did decide on the animo. I understand the ratio is this high.

My dr never did a finger prick but rather had drawn blood. I am a nervous wreck. All I want to do is cry. DH is being so great. it is so hard, when all you want is answers.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

That is still a very very small chance that there is any issue AND it is just a risk assessment not a diagnosis.

I would get the amnio for peace of mind and knowledge

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Posted by CrankyPants

That is still a very very small chance that there is any issue AND it is just a risk assessment not a diagnosis.

I would get the amnio for peace of mind and knowledge

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Think of it this way, 1:155 comes out to a .064516% chance.

OR a 99.935484% chance that everything is fine.

really have to like 99.935484%


See what the quad screen says before going for Amnio.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Just praying that everything turns out to be ok for you! This also happened to a friend of ours and their son is fine.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Message edited 9/23/2009 12:44:10 PM.

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Re: need advice: my blood test revealed a high risk for downs

Message edited 9/23/2009 1:01:59 PM.