Genetics screenings

nixie321

Hello.  I had my 2 blood screening come back very good.  My genetics counselor called to tell me about them and then called me back to update me on the numbers and while they are really good, they seem a little "too" good and of course I fear they have made a mistake.  Obviously, I don't want them to make a mistake but still.  Here are the screening numbers:
1st test:  Downs 1/780 (or something close) & Trisomy 18 1/10,000
2nd test: Downs 1/21,000 & Trisomy 18  1/100,000

I've left a message with the counselor to discuss the questions I have.  But do these numbers seem realistic?  Granted, I know nothing really about the figures as far as how they are come up to but still... it just seems quite unreal.  I'm 41 btw.

Has anyone else had numbers like these?  Again, they are good and I'm not knocking these results but they just seem weird.  Thanks.

kelley72

I'd be thrilled!  I haven't received my results yet.  I'm sure they did not give you results in error- just be thrilled and continue to enjoy your pregnancy!  I'm 41 too!  love it when we have (super) 35+s!

nixie321

Thanks! I still have to go in for my Level II ultrasound and so the whole screening phase isn't over with yet.. and I am happy with these results of course!
I have a friend who just gave birth to a healthy baby boy last week.. she is 39... and when she got her 2nd results back they were 1/200.  This woman leads a far healthier life than I do (before pregnancy) and so it's shocking to me in regards to my results.
I know that this test isn't about healthy lifestyles or anything and what they are testing factors in other stuff.. it's just the difference was astounding which is why I am leery. 
I will try harder to just have faith..

Beachgal72

I'm also 41. After my blood work and NT test my odds changed for Down's from 1/83 (apparently standard starting place for 41 year olds) to 1/360 and Tri went to 1/9,600. They said both tests were normal and the results were officially a "screen negative" for all. I don't think I could ever get to your numbers from my starting place being so crappy. I am jealous of your numbers!!

nixie321

Beachgal72 - glad to hear of your screening negative!  phew!  well, the counselor said that it was not probable but there is a chance of course of seeing something on the ultrasound which will be on 10/22.  but with my results, she figures this won't be the case.  who knows though.

whether the numbers were high or low, i think it's just my default to wonder if there were errors.  i need to get over that somehow.

DTNZ4Ever

Those are great numbers. I would also tend to believe or have more confidence in the blood work then and ultrasound which required baby's cooperation and the human eye for measurements. Also I know moms who were in their early 30s or late 20s to have children with downs.

2ndGeneration

 I'm no scientist, but I find myself wondering if, perhaps, with the recent more widespread use of the screening blood tests in us AMA's, that maybe they will eventually revise the statistics for Down Syndrome occurance in our age group. I've always thought it was high and I know the current stastistics are from decades ago. Remains to be seen I guess!

kelley72

I agree OP- with better/more accurate results perhaps the true risk for downs/other trisomies is not as high as we have believed.  I think the doom and gloom for 35+ aged moms is way out of proportion...