at 4 months i took the quad test and results came back negative, which was great i then had a level 2 ultrasound and they saw a spot (shadow i was told) and my doc isnt too concerned she said if i was older like 35 (im 27) she would be concerned about down syndrome, but since im not and the quad test came back negative, she's not...but they will do another ultra sound in the 3rd trimester....is this normal? should i be concerned? why would she be more concerned if i was older?
2006-07-10 16:13:41 · 17 answers · asked by what2do? 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Other - Pregnancy & Parenting
Statistically, birth defect risks increase with maternal age. It's actually rather silly because women of a certain age, regardless of health conditions, are screened as "high risk" while younger women are not watched as closely even with a predisposition to the risk factors. A number, alone, should NOT be the deciding factor, but that is how it is.
http://www.babyzone.com/features/content/display.asp?contentid=781
2006-07-10 16:17:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I too was very concerned about the downs syndrome because I just turned 35 and am 6 months pregnant. I was lucky and my results were negative as well. However Women over the age of 35 have a greater chance of birth defects due to chromosome factors. When they do an ultrasound they are looking for distinctive birth defects and a shadow is not a defect. I am sure everything is fine with your baby. Good Luck to you!
2006-07-10 16:30:53 · answer #2 · answered by radical_92 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Women who are over 35 are a lot more likely to have a Down syndrome baby than younger mothers. 35 seems to be the magic age at which more problems are likely to occur - conception is more difficult, and birth defects are more common. But if your doctor isn't worried, then you shouldn't be either. The ultrasound is just precautionary, normal procedure if they found a shadow on a previous one. Don't read anything into it and get yourself all stressed out over what is probably nothing. Just relax and try to enjoy the next 4 months of your pregnancy (it is hard when you are huge, but the baby is so worth it!).
2006-07-10 16:23:25 · answer #3 · answered by Jeannie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had the tests and mine were OK too. Do not worry. If they saw a thickening on the back of the baby's neck, then you need to be concerned. If you are so worried, demand another ultrasound immediately. I am 35 and mine were OK. I do think that the stress you will be under until the next is unnecessary and another ultrasound will put your mind at ease. You cannot trust those tests anyway. I have a friend who is 41 and her test came back bad, they advised her to abort, she didn't and she has a beautiful healthy baby girl. They can be wrong.... Congrats on the pregnancy.
2006-07-17 09:51:10 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you should ask for an amnio if you are concerned, that will give ou definitive results.
Ultrasounds, as you probably have noticed, don't have very clear pictures, so it's easy for evena well trained doctor or sonographer to see something that isn't there.
Just say some prayers, good luck to you!
P.S. The risk for down's syndrome is much higher in women over 35.
2006-07-10 16:18:33 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa N 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
HI, the previous person is right birth defects increase as you get older. I had my first at 36, second at 40. I had an amnio with both. If the quad screen isn't showing anything to worry about, I wouldn't.
If you just can't sleep because of it, maybe you could request an amnio. I am not one for lots of pre-natal tests (I'm a home birther) but if it would put your mind at ease...It's not as bad as it sounds.
2006-07-10 17:08:56 · answer #6 · answered by littlemamajo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The older a women gets the higher the risk of having a beby with down syndrome, whether it be hormonal or what have you. Your doctor is probably being cautious have you asked why, I had to have an ultra sound every visit I went to how do you think I felt.
2006-07-10 16:48:05 · answer #7 · answered by Lil's Mommy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I feel your concern. . . All sorts of things run through your head about the little one in the tummy. But if your doctor isn't concerned, try to relax (stress isn't good for the baby).
Just so you know, I was 37 when I had my daughter. She is a healthy 11-month-old. The risk is there, but it is very small. Good luck!
2006-07-10 16:23:15 · answer #8 · answered by volleyballchick (cowards block) 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A scan in the third trimester is pretty standard but they can also see more then.
Your eggs are as old as you and so the older you are the older they are and there could be deformities. Downs is more apt to happen with older moms.
2006-07-20 22:53:48 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had the exact same thing happen although she was early 20’s and we did all the tests and they came back negative… We actually dismissed the idea till he was born then the Dr and nurses argued that he may have downs (nurses thought he did Dr didn’t ) Nurses won… I has been 6 years later and although I was sad when I found out it has been great and now I would never change a thing.
2006-07-12 06:18:11 · answer #10 · answered by Tequila Gypsy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋