Positive Screening for Soina Bifida at 18 weeks and 5 days.

andreachristine81

Hi ladies... I am a member of the January 2016 board and after a phone call this morning it appears that I will be a member of this board too. My doctor called me this morning to inform me that my screening for Soina Bifida came back with an elevated risk of 1:263. I KNOW the odds are in my favour, but naturally I am still upset and so scared. They wanted to try to get me I today, but there was nothing available with the specialist... So I am scheduled to go in for ultrasound on Wednesday. And then to meet with doctor directly after. I NEVER should have got on the internet because now I am really scared for the health of my little boy . Has anyone else had experience with a positive screen? Any insight would be so helpful right now .

azimum

@andreachristine81 my AFP test came back extremely elevated, something like 1:60 for spina bifida/neural tube defect. I waited over a week to be seen by a specialist, and when she looked at the baby in detail, there was nothing wrong! I'm not sure what specific test you took to get your results, but the AFP test has a very rate of false positives (I spent that entire week googling and it seemed like 99% of the time it was a false positive for everyone else also).

A lot of things can cause an elevated AFP level, and for me it was all the bleeding I had in my first trimester. I know it's SO HARD to try to stay positive during this time, but hopefully my story will help! Good luck and keep us posted on your appointment.

PlainJane8350

I've had scares with my baby's brain and read plenty on here. Honestly, most of the time everything is fine.

mac-n-cheesy

@andreachristine81 no experience in that department myself, but I have a cord abnormality that makes me high risk my entire pregnancy and mainly becomes an issue the second half of my pregnancy, which is brutal on my mind. I made the mistake if googling it and now no matter what I do in going to worry until I have my little girl in my arms (my abnormality carries a high chance of IUGR and an elevated risk of stillbirth).
Anyway, I know now matter what anyone says you will still worry, and rightfully so--it's a scary thought that something may be wrong. You have already recognized that though your risk is elevated, the odds are in your favor. Try and keep busy until Wednesday and think positive. You and get through this and I know all the high risk ladies on this board will be sending you positive vibes and T&P for Wednesday.

andreachristine81

Thank you so much to everyone for all of your encouraging words and support. My mom came to my condo while I was at work and cleaned it for me (not really messy, but it's always nice when someone else washes your floors for you!!). She and my dad also insisted that I come back to their place for the weekend and so I feel better. Without giving a long and drawn out story, baby's father and I are not together (my decision) and so I am lucky to have a ton of support. Up until today physically this pregnancy has been relatively easy, emotionally a little more taxing, but I have been ok. Today threw me for an unexpected loop. Ready for Wednesday one way or the other. There is no good in not knowing. Also, thank you to the ladies who have shared their personal experiences. They are so greatly appreciated. My thoughts and prayers are with you as well .

BonnyJW

We were 1:100 for spina bifida and the follow up test showed that everything was perfectly fine. My doctor told me that she hates the initial screening test because it has such a high false positive rate. Hang in there and just know that it is so so so likely that everything is perfect.

andreachristine81

@BonnyJW - thank you so much for sharing this with me... I am so concerned right now and it just seems like Wednesday can't get here soon enough .

BonnyJW

Keep us posted.

jasbaby2

I had the same risk as you. I'm 27 weeks now and have been monitored by A perinatologist since about 16 weeks. 3-4 ultrasounds and they have found nothing at all to be wrong. The perinatologist said it's not at all uncommon to have this happen and there be absolutely nothing wrong.