Pregnant after 35

Hi new to the group

Hi I am happy to say I am finally pregnant with my first baby after a very long time and fertility treatments. I just had my NT scan done and was told I was at 2.8 which is considered normal but in the higher range of normal. He never told me what the cut off measurement is. But if it is considered normal why did my doctor suggest a blood test materni21 or cvs or aminocentisis ? He said because of my age 39 when I got pregnant and 40 when I deliver because of my age I have 1 in 40 chance of downs syndrome. Which I feel is still pretty good odds, but everywhere I read on the internet it stated 1 in 100 chance.  So is he just trying to push these tests ??
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Re: Hi new to the group

  • Hello! Welcome to the group and congratulations on your pregnancy!

    I was also offered the MaterniT21 test and if there were positive results, further testing like the CVS or Amniocentesis. I chose to do the blood test for peace of mind as I had several losses due to chromosomal abnormalities. Even if I hadn't, the blood test is noninvasive and the results are 99% accurate, so I would have chosen to do that test anyway.

    The MaterniT21 test does not test for everything, just the most common abnormalities in chromosomes 13, 18, 21 & XX/XY. If anything comes back abnormal, they would offer invasive testing to confirm (CVS or Amnio). Whether or not you want the testing depends on what you would do with the information. You could use it to be knowledgeable should your baby turn out to have a condition. For some, the information is too much too handle. Personally, I wanted to know. I wish you luck and a happy, healthy pregnancy!
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  • Oh, I also forgot to mention, the neural tube measurement plus your age are the factors they included to come up with your statistics of 1/40 chance. 2.8 is on the higher end. I believe under 3.0 is what is considered within normal range.
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  • Congratulations and welcome :)
  • marijaa333marijaa333 member
    edited March 2015
    Congratulations and welcome! You don't have to have any of those tests, but most moms feel they would like to know if there are any problems. The MaterniT21 and other NIPTs (non-invasive prenatal tests) are very good, but they are still not 100% accurate, which is why some women opt to have the CVS or amnio (I opted for a CVS because I wanted to know for sure and was very confident in my doctor's abilities, based on his personal and the facility's statistics).

    The main point is that you have options. You can refuse any further tests altogether, or have the simple (risk-free) blood test with around 90-95% accuracy, or have the more invasive CVS or amnio for 99.999% accuracy but with a slight risk of complications from the procedure. If you go to scholar.google.com you can find actual scientific studies to read, as opposed to the millions of interpretations of them by all kinds of people on more general website.
  • Hello and welcome! Can't offer insight on the testing as I didn't do them for various reasons, but I did want to welcome you and tell you that I hope all goes well with your pregnancy after all your hard work!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Thank you for all the information. I think I will just have the Materni21 test done
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  • Congratulations and welcome!  I do not think your doctor is just trying to push the tests.  MaterniT21 and other NIPTs have become pretty common for OBs to offer for women over 35.  As PPs have said, it's a simple blood test, so no risk to baby.  And if anything comes back abnormal, then you can talk to your doctor more about either amnio or CVS.  Best wishes!
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • Congrats!! Welcome to the board! I think the Mat21 test gave me really good peace of mind and we got to find out the sex too - bonus!  It's the only one we've had to do other than the gestational diabetes and group b strep test.
    ----
    ME: 40, DH: 44, stopped BCPS 1/2013, TTC #1 2/2013, AMH 0.4, started acupuncture: 7/2013,
    BFP: 10/07/2013; MC 10/15/2013 @ 7 wks (natural), focused on health issues for 7 months.
    TTC again: 6/2014, 2nd round Letrozole, BFP 7/7/2014!!! --- EDD 3/18/2015!!! DS born 3/13/2015
  • Welcome and Congrats!
    ****Siggy Warning***
    ~Formerly ABabyMabe4us



    Me(35) Him(35) Untied for life 4/1/2015.
    TTC Our 1st since 8/2014
    MC @ 7 weeks 5/2014
    Me: DD#1 3/2000, DD#2 6/2001, DS 5/2003
    BFP: 2/19/2015 EDD: 11/1/2015 IT'S A BOY!!!!

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  • Drs like to do medical things like tests!  That materni21 test is newer and all the rage right now.  Even women who have little little risk and are in their 20's are being urged to get it. It really is a good option when compared to things like the cvs and amnio as it is so much easier and without any real risk.  You can certainly refuse to do them if you want.  This is the only pregnancy I have done any sort of testing in (this is my 8th child). I always refused things like the triple and quad screening as I felt the results were too unreliable.  Your dr won't or shouldn't think bad of you at all..its your option.

    Would having the results you have "on the higher" end roll around in your mind over coming months and make you start to doubt and get nervous?  If so, the peace of mind from further testing will be worth it.  If you won't give another thought to it and you feel normal is normal you are good, skip the extra testing. 
  • Congrats and welcome!
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