Screenings for Down Syndrome

DRB7586

Does anyone have any insight or want to share what they're doing as far as their plans for the Down Syndrome screenings that they offer? I'm only 26 and I understand that it's a part of routine care. As of now I'm scheduled to do the NT scan and blood work in 2 weeks and then a follow up blood test at 16-17 weeks where I don't get any results at all until week 18. This is the highest accuracy way to screen with the lowest risk of false positives, the drawback being the wait. The other viable option is just the NT in 2 weeks with the blood work and no follow up test. Seems maybe a little less accurate and a higher risk of false positives but results at 12 weeks....What are other ladies doing??

PrimRoseMama

We did the NT scan for DD and nothing for this LO.

MiaMyPuggle

I did for DS and had bad results that made me panic for no reason. Not doing it this time around, but its completely up to you.

ARS25

We aren't doing any of the testing. The ONLY reason I want to do it is to get a 12 weeks ultrasound. If we don't do testing, we won't get that ultrasound but I don't think it's worth it. I'm 27 so my risk is low and we don't have Down Syndrome in our families. I am also a worry-wort to the MAX. My doctor explained that you can get a positive for DS result, but even with that there is a tiny chance of the baby actually having it. If we did get a positive, I would worry msyelf sick for the next 6 months, probably for nothing. Plus, we wouldn't terminate the pregnancy for anything. So the way we look at it, we will love this baby no matter what, and the test isn't going to tell us anything we aren't ready to handle. I definetly feel like the minority thought for not doing it. Seems like a lot of people do.

DRB7586

msspeedymarie:

However, if you are young (in your early-late 20s) and have no other risk factors (like family history), it may be more stress than it is worth, as it is very common for the NT scan to come back with a high-risk assessment that turns out to be low-risk with more testing.

 

 

Thanks for this info, I'm not worried about getting freaked out over nothing because the sequential testing does the NT scan and a blood test and then the later blood test (16-17 weeks) and they don't tell you ANYTHING until after that one comes back around 18 weeks. I'm glad this wasn't a dumb question, there are so many options! 

lollipoppoop

I'm doing it for the extra ultrasound

cpies

I do not think I am going to do the blood tests that offer only probabilities. In my opinion it just doesn't give you enough actual information to be worth additional stress. I like to have as  much information as possible, but only if that informaton is actual facts. My doctor said she would get me in for the ultrasound either way, otherwise I might consider dong the screening just for that. I will be 34 when I when I have the baby and it will be my first.