Have you ever been told that your baby is at high risk for down syndrome?

Question

Was it true? What did you do? How old were you?
Please help, I am 17weeks and worried.

Answer 1

I am 24 years old and I did the ultrasound testing and the results came back that I had a 1 in 170 risk for downs. My doctor offered me an amnio and I took it. 3 weeks later we found out that the baby was free from any genetic defects. He was born perfectly healthy!!! I would HIGHLY suggest having amnio if your doctor thinks the baby is at risk. I found it sooo calming to know for sure that everything was okay. If it would have come back positive we wouldnt have aborted but finding out we would have had time to prepare.

Ohh and btw it is impossible that an amnio test come back with a false positive for downs. There are varried levels of Downs so it is possible that a child have downs but you don't know it but if they count 3 chromosones they arent wrong.
Good Luck...

Answer 2

I took the triple screen blood test and was told that I had a 1 in 8 chance of having a baby with Down syndrome. I was 38 at the time. I opted not to have an amnio done to confirm it because the results simply wouldn't have mattered...this was my baby and I was keeping him no matter what. The risk of miscarriage associated with an amnio was not worth it.

My son was born with Down syndrome and I cannot imagine my life without this bright, happy, clever little boy. He lights up a room and everyone who has ever met him thinks he is wonderful.

Was it scary, yes, at times it was very scary, but it was all worth it because now I have this wonderful son that I wouldn't change for the world. Given the chance to do it all over again, I wouldn't do anything different.

Good luck!

Answer 3

If your doctor believed your baby is at high risk for Down Syndrome he/she would offer a blood test and/or amneocenthesis.

The reason some may think your baby is at high for for a genetic disorder (which is what Down Syndrome is) could be your age or could be that you have one or more family members with some genetic disorder.

Women over 35 are said to be at a higher risk of having babies with genetic defects, but doctors monitor them; and most of them are fine. You can tell quite early in the pregnancy whether things are fine when it comes to genetic problems.

Chances are someone knows you're 17 weeks along, which is around the time doctors start offering amneo. You're probably in your mid-thirites or around there, and someone just mentioned it.

I was 33 when I was expecting my daughter, and the doctor started to mention a blood test; but then he added, "You're just on the edge of the age where age could matter." (So that's what a doctor's opinion of 33 is.)

I've read that the risk of genetic problems goes up after 34, but not at all as dramatically as it does when someone is around 40. Over 40 is high risk, but women over 40 have healthy babies all the time too. Tests in the beginning/middle of the pregnancy can give you information you need about the baby's condition.

Answer 4

No one ever told me that. im 10 weeks along and 26 years old. i think if you are like 35 and above the risk increases, but that doesn't mean your baby will have down sydrome. there are actual ratios posted on some of these pregnancy web sites. these are off the top of my head estimates to give an example. it is like 1 out of every 200 or something under age 30 then like age 40 is 1 out of 20 or something but i am wrong though i am just showing you what the ratios look like, you would have to perform a search. Anwayay there have been lots of women who are older and have had healthy babies. I wouldnt worry about it.

Answer 5

I was told that mine was high risk due to my age (I was 35). Did they test your baby yet and see anything that indicated it? I had the blood test and level 2 ultrasound and both came back negative so I opted out of the amnio. The amnio had more risks for my long-awaited son than the threat of Down's - plus knowing would only have prepared us since we had no intention of terminating. Also, some of these tests can be false. My brother-in-law and his wife were advised to abort their daughter when their amnio was positive for Down's Syndrome. They chose not to and were rewarded with a healthy, happy, and intelligent little girl who was not Down's. I have also heard a similar account from a friend of mine. I have since found out that false positives for Down's Syndrome is very common.

Answer 6

please don't worry!!!! I was told twice, my 2nd son turned out just fine. my 3rd son,< I was 39 yrs old at the time>, did indeed have DS. I have met so many parents, of all ages, who have a child with DS and you know something? it is no different raising a child with DS than any other child! you are just going down a different path in life. I know no matter what people say you are scared....how would you raise a child with disabilities? the questions are endless that are running through your mind right now.....I went through it and I know how you feel, but looking back on the past 3 yrs with my little boy I wouldn't change a thing about him...ok, maybe the naughty part...lol he is the joy of my heart...not because he has DS, but because he is my son!
If you are the kind of person that will love your child no matter what; then you accept your path in life and make the very best of it, not just for your child but for you as well.
DS isn't the end of the world....it is a new beginning...one filled with joys at seeing your child achieve their goals....sure they do it slower...but the do it. it's others seeing the pride on your face when you talk about your child. Isn't that what being a mom is all about? loving your child no matter what.
oh and I also wanted to say congratulations on your up coming birth! =) I wish you the very best!

Answer 7

Why do they think the baby is high risk for Downs?

Answer 8

I have never been told that but I have been told that my baby had a kidney defect while I was pregnant and it was true. I can only imagine how you are feeling. I guess if I were you I would pray and research that is what I did.