I got a positive result for downs-- AFP screening

babykarns

I am going in today for a level II ultrasound.  I am really nervous.  I wasn't in a million years expecting a phone call saying that I was at risk.  My risk score is 1.5 out of 100.  I am only 23 years old.  My husband and I don't have any family history of any downs or birth defects.  Anybody have any insight???

LitlSara

Good luck! Hope everything goes well today!

Bubbles1022

I'm really sorry to hear this!  I really hope everything turns out well today at the ultrasound!! 

titicole

My niece is two and has Downs, but her parents decided against the amnio.  We weren't completely surprised when she was born as they could see her heart and brain before she was born.  But this was like at 7 mos.  All I can say is that she is a ray of sunshine for the whole family, we are blessed to have her. Her mother was 47 when she had her and the pregnancy was a complete surprise.

I would suggest going on the special needs board, where you might find some mama's who can share their experience.

Shana051008

Good Luck at your next ultrasound.

slmcronelaw

I just say hang in there.  I have a sister, a nephew and a cousin that all have downs and god doesn't give you more than you can handle.  Everything happens for a reason...if it does end up being downs, then apparently God thought you were a perfect couple to bring up such a special child.  Good Luck and God Bless!!

Ncaminiti

First good luck and I hope everything comes back negative from this point.

AFP is a measurement and a statistical number of increase or decreased risk, not a yes or no indicator. If you had the First Trimester Screen, (u/s plus finger prick) and that was normal most doctors feel the FTS is much more accurate and hopefully this is something else. Typically your changes increase with age and family history but most babies with DS are to younger, non AMA, and with little or no family hx.

again Hugs and hope everything is okay.

LuckyBride06

I hope everything turns out ok. Good luck!

susie2242

I had a friend get a positive for downs, but then they figured out a lab tech wrote a number down wrong, and everything was fine.  My doctor told me that if they get a positive, its usually an error, and not to worry if it comes back positive until they do a 2nd test. Good luck.

ibis

Did you have an NT scan? The AFP has a slightly higher error rate for DS testing. You could also talk about whether you would want to do amnio as a followup to the ultrasound.

I say take it one step at a time for now. Good luck with the ultrasound. 

hterry85

My SIL was also told she was an increased risk. After further testing they are almsot sure everything will be normal. (She's not due till Oct, so we will find out for sure then I guess) GL!

flyer23

One of my friends recently had an NT scan and she came back at increased risk of Downs -- 1 in 100. She is also in her early 20s with no abnormal family history. She elected to wait to make a decision on an amnio until after the big ultrasound. That came back looking totally fine, so she's decided not to get an amnio.

Remember that if your chance of Downs is 1.5 out of 100, that means you have a 98.5% chance of having a perfectly healthy baby. Good luck at the big ultrasound

MissyC979

Try not to get too far ahead of yourself until you've had more testing. An increased risk doesn't mean that your baby has DS--it's just at a greater risk. Hopefully the follow-up tests will come up negative. Good luck!

kimberleigh30

Best of luck to you today.

Jen&Louie

Best of luck at your next ultrasound. Im hope that everything turns out well and that your bay is healthy.  As others have said, try not to get ahead of yourself and think the worst.  The odds are still in your favor.

breech

i had a lever 2 sonogram for diffrent reasont, and just so you dont get nervous, they take a VERY long time measuring the brain and heart, i was sure they were finding something wrong to be taking that long. but there wasn't.

i dont know a whole lot about downs and i wanted to wish you luck. this is a good opportunity to see your LO and get some great pictures. the sonogram itsself is about an hr long, then you meet with the specialist afterward to discuss everything good, or bad.

you may already know all of this, i just wanted to share,b/c i had no clue what was going on or what was going to happen when i went, and that made me very nervous. best wishes!

TimingisEverything

I was in your boat last year. I was put at high risk for downs and too had the level II u/s. I was really worried and freaking out like you. The u/s showed no markers of downs for me and I refused the amnio b/c if my baby did have downs I would not abort and there is a risk of m/c if you have the amnio. She is 6.5 months old now and perfectly healthy. I know that my outcome has nothing to do with yours, just letting you know that you are not alone and the outcome can be positive. GL today!

adam+katie

I have no insight, but I wanted to say good luck.  Please let us know how it goes today.