Advanced Maternal Age

SleepingBeauty79

Being 35 years old, will my dr automatically offer me an amnio or a cvs? Or is that if certain other factors make you a high risk?

JeannieS22

I was offered early screening tests (blood tests) for the three major genetic problems.  I declined, but after those, I understand you can move forward with the amnios, etc to make a diagnosis.  (If your screens were positive for risk). 

 

I'm 35 and 16 weeks now.   

sleepymonkey

I don't think so.  The only different thing my doc offered me was the MaterniT21 test.  I don't think amnios are as common anymore.

Guennie

My dr never even mentioned amnio until I screened positive for Downs, and even then all he said was that they may recommend one if they find markers at my level 2 ultrasound. It is common practice these days to avoid invasive testing unless you are presented with a reason to want an actual diagnosis. AMA alone is not a reason to need an amnio.

happywifemomofone

We discussed screening tests and were informed that CVS and Amnio were options if we screened + for anything.

SusanTeach

I was 39 (turned 40 in Dec.) and my doc recommended the Verify test. It's the latest in high-tech genetics testing through a blood sample only! Expensive, if your insurance doesn't cover it, but mine did. It ruled out (for me) a HUGE list of genetic issues, including Downs. 

ksimo6

SusanTeach:

I was 39 turned 40 in Dec. and my doc recommended the Verify test. It's the latest in hightech genetics testing through a blood sample only! Expensive, if your insurance doesn't cover it, but mine did. It ruled out for me a HUGE list of genetic issues, including Downs.nbsp;

Ditto. After my verifi tests came back negative, my doc said there was no reason to even talk about amnios. We did have the nt scan at 13 weeks as well.

siempreyo

Much the same here - NT scan was more highly recommended and had that shown high probability of downs, would have taken the Materni21 to confirm/rule out.

 Other than that my pregnancy has been "normal" - this is my first, but from my understanding this was the only AMA difference.

 For reference, got pregnant at 35, will deliver @ 36, first pregnancy. 

ranaverde

No amnio or CVS here. I did the MaterniT21 blood test, and the results were good enough the others weren't necessary.  The test is expensive, and insurance doesn't always cover it, but there are payment plans.

(I'm 43.)

jkzinck

Mine let me know about the tests to see if I was interested. I wasn't but make sure you check with your insurance to see what they cover for tests

Inkful

Usually doctors offer a cvs or amnio if there are indicators that suggest your baby has a serious genetic conditions (trisomies, fragile x, spinal abnormalities, cf). Most MFM docs will first do a nt scan and genetic screening (Mat21 or Harmony plus a quad screen). Those test will indicate your risks and then you decide whether or not a more invasive test is warranted. 

EmR22

I turned 35 four months before my due date and was offered a whole slew of additional tests just because of this fact. Early ultrasound, blood tests, genetic counseling. All of that came back with little to no risk of genetic abnormalities so that is all I did. If I chose to I could have done the Maternit21, or amnio, or any other tests automatically because I was 35 before the baby is born. 

I think it depends on the clinic based on my experience and what other posters have said. 

RedLucia

Amnio and CVS are typically only offered if there is elevated risk detected from a less invasive test. Even before that, they should offer you a 2nd level US before an amnio. 

DrewsWife2007

is it true that the Matern21 test only checks for trisomies, and not any other genetic conditions?

jennieliz

I know the verifi test does the major trisomys as well as the syndroms associated with the sex chromosomes. I just had the blood draw for that yesterday and the genetic counciler said she's had the fastest turn around time with best best results from verifi plus it's the only one with the additional checks. It's still a screening test but much more advanced than the quad screen. I'm using it to decide if we even need to go the amnio route.

sleepymonkey

DrewsWife2007:

is it true that the Matern21 test only checks for trisomies, and not any other genetic conditions?

MaterniT21 only tests for Trisomy 13, 18, and 21 as well as other sex chromosome abnormalities like Turner syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome.

imatarb

I like to think of myself as 'wise', rather than 'old', but yes, at age 44, 45 at delivery, I'm quite certain I'll take advantage of whatever diagnostic testing is offered to me.

 

Lisa  

Fitnessteach2010

I am 37 now, 36 when I conceived....I had the materni21 then he offered the AMNIO and CVS...Both of which I refused due to the results of the materni21......I HIGHLY recommend the Materni21. 

NavyMom77

My doctor sent me to a maternal fetal medicine specialist based on my age (36) where they offered a wide variety of genetic testing, including CVS and amnio, as well as various blood tests. We went with the Verifi test, and since that test was so definitive the doctor didn't even do an NT scan. Since it came back good, no further genetic testing at all has been suggested. Because the Verifi test is so expensive and not always covered, the doctor offered a program (I'm assuming funded by the drug company) that set the cost for the test at ONLY what insurance would pay towards it if it was only partially covered. So while we were prepared to shell out some $$ for it, our insurance (Tri-Care) covered it partially so the price was adjusted to ONLY that amount, which was nice.

cant_wait_to_be_mommy

I was advised about those tests when I was pregnant at 29 and again now, at age 35 (36 at delivery). 

I am doing my NT on 07/05 and the Harmony test on 07/15.  

kje120

I'm 36 and was referred for the MaterniT21 test which is non-invasive.

RNmommyof2

I was offered amnio and CVS with my last baby. I was 34 when she was born. I'll be 36 when this baby is born and have been offered both again. I did have the NT scan (baby was measuring too large for them  to correlate the US with the blood work though) and had my Harmony test drawn on Monday. My doctor's office didn't even know about the Harmony test. It was the genetic counselor at the MFM office that brought it up. I was going to ask about it anyway, but it's strange that my OB's office knew nothing about it. It's too late for CVS now and I will only do amnio if something comes up wonky on the Harmony.

 

cant_wait_to_be_mommy

I was offered them (I'm 35) but I won't have them.  I'm only doing the NT and the Harmony tests.  I remember them being discussed with me during my last pregnancy, tho, and I was only 29.  Not positive what factors are indicators for those tests, but I think if the non-invasive tests come back with numbers that concern the doctors, they would recommend the amnio and/or cvs.  Ultimately all tests are elective.  I had NO testing with my DD. 

momx32b

ksimo6:

SusanTeach:

I was 39 turned 40 in Dec. and my doc recommended the Verify test. It's the latest in hightech genetics testing through a blood sample only! Expensive, if your insurance doesn't cover it, but mine did. It ruled out for me a HUGE list of genetic issues, including Downs.nbsp;

Ditto. After my verifi tests came back negative, my doc said there was no reason to even talk about amnios. We did have the nt scan at 13 weeks as well.

 

Same here- I had the blood test done and my insurance did not cover it. It cost me about $250 but well worth it considering I was able to know so early that my baby is fine and would not need a CVS or Amnio and I got to find out super early that it's a girl :-) 

 

marina7gus

I have been hearing a lot about the MaterniT21 test.. does anyone know if/where I can take this in Europe? Amnio just seems sooooo old school, yet that's all my doctor will give me! I'm 41 and first pregnancy.