Two vessel cord and positive downs screening

Re: Two vessel cord and positive downs screening

• st.augbride member

  November 2010

  We screened positive for down syndrome (1/110) and on a level 2 u/s had a soft marker of short femurs. We declined the amnio at that time, but then got progressively more stressed out with the possibility and not knowing the truth. We hit a point where we just wern't functioning well, so we opted to have it done. Thankfully, the results came back all clear. It does now seem though that the baby has growth restriction issues and is measuring small in the limbs and abdomen, which is likely why my screen test was positive in the first place.

  If you opt for the amnio, just make sure you ask your doctor as many questions as you need to feel comfortable. We asked ours how many he had done, how frequently he does them, and if he ever had any losses (he hadn't). Some more recent studies estimate the risk of miscarriage at 1/1600 for centers who perform a lot of them regularly. The amnio itself was very easy and fast. I'm very glad we decided to do it.

  Best of luck with whatever you decide.  

   

  

  Report0 Reply
• Loading the player...
• kafunder member

  November 2010

  I'm so sorry you're going through this. I don't have any experience with the Downs portion of your question, but do know about the SUA (single umbilical artery) cord. I gave birth to b/g twins on Aug. 30. At our 20-week u/s, they said about baby girl had SUA and a choroid plexus cyst (another soft marker), but they told us not to worry (our AFP results were like 1: 10,000), especially about the SUA. Because we were having twins and she had SUA, we had extra monitoring, but DD did great the entire time. At one point, she was even bigger than her brother. I ended up delivering the babies at 36w4d, and she weighed 5lbs 5 oz. The babies needed no NICU time and came home with me. If she was a single baby, I bet she would have weighed more. She had no signs of IUGR. I only delivered at 36w4d b/c my blood pressure was rising.

  Report0 Reply
• Seannon

  November 2010

  I cant help in regards to the downs screening- but I did have the two vessel cord and my daughter was perfectly healthy.

  Report0 Reply
• ruthiewith

  November 2010

  I'm sorry you're going through this, it's so stressful.  My blood test at my 12 week appt. came back and the baby had a 1/25 chance of DS.  I had my anatomy scan at 16 weeks and there were no soft tissue markers for DS.  I opted not to have an amnio based on the results of the anatomy scan and my gut feeling.  After talking to my doc, he said the baby's chance of DS dropped to below 2%.  I've since had another u/s and everything still looks great.  There's obviously no sure diagnosis unless you get the amnio, so I guess it depends on your comfort level with the risk.  No experience here with the two cords.  Good luck to you and I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

  

  Report0 Reply
• hokies94 member

  November 2010

  DS had a two vessel cord which they found at the 20 week ultrasound.  We didn't do the AFP screening.  I was over 35 so I had a level 3 ultrasound as my normal 20 week ultrasound. 

  They did not find any soft markers for Downs but I wanted an amnio just to be sure.  We had the amnio done right there after the ultrasound.  It really wasn't bad.  A little prick, and hardly any pain and we were done.  The worst part was waiting for the results which took about 3 days.  It came back normal and DS was born perfectly healthy (small but healthy).  

  Report0 Reply