17 weeks and wondering?

Question

I recently had blood work done to check for birth defects, what's the chances that a chid will be born with a birth defect and is the test all ways right? also February or march I will be having another ultra sound will the gender of my baby be 100% sure by then?? I will be 20 weeks the first week of February! also if any one has any other helpful information that will be greatly appreciated thank you

Answer 1

I just had a perfectly healthy little boy in September. I had triple screen test done at 17 weeks that came back there was a chance my baby could have trisomy 18 and trisomy 21. At 20 weeks along I had a regular ultrasound and they said the baby had a choroid plexus cyst on his brain which is another indication of trisomy 18 and 21. However they failed to tell me that most fetuses have these and as long as they go away by the 28th week everything is fine. I went and had a level 2 ultrasound done at 28 and 36 weeks, and they said there could still be that chance. I had previously had 2 miscarriages and it took me 3 years to get pregnant with my daughter who is now 4, so I did not opt. for the amneo because of the risk of miscarriage. The tests do not always come out right. I stayed so stressed throughout the rest of my pregnancy and was constantly on line researching chromosome disorders to get myself prepared. so if your tests come back positive, don't stress on it, everything could still be fine.
They can tell the sex of your baby at 17 weeks as long as he or she cooperates.

Answer 2

The blood test will give a "probability" of abnormality or a chance. Just because that chance doesn't happen doesn't make the test wrong as another answerer says. Of course the blood test are just a screening tool to look for some abnormalities, they are not diagnostic. Yes, there is a good chance you'll get to know the gender of your baby at 20 week U/S. You know not knowing is wonderful and adds to the excitement on the day of birth. The gender results on Ultrasound are not 100% accurate, but amnio gender results are if you choose to go that route if indicated.
Remember just because a test is available doesn't mean it has to be done, think about whether the result of the test is going to help you make a decision one way or the other. If the result won't have any bearing on the decisions then maybe you shouldn't have it, especially when it comes to invasive tests like Amnio. Talk to your doctor about all concerns.

Answer 3

I had my AFP levels checked which came back high which indicated a high risk for a genetic anomoly. I had to have monthly u/s to verify my baby was growing just fine. Later I had to be put on a weekly nonstress test. I was also offered the amnio but like other mom's since the risk of miscarriage was present and the result wouldn't have changed my mind about carrying through with the pregnancy I did not take it. But my little booger is just fine and healthy as can be. You can never be sure.

As far as the sex, nothing is 100% other than birth! My sister's 1st daughter came out so swollen down there when she was born they announced "It's a boy!" Then did a double take and corrected themselves. She's a gorgeous 14 year old teen girl now.

Answer 4

As long as you are under 35 (If you are over, there's still nothing to worry about, it's just that over that age, they consider them high risk pregnancies, but they are usually fine), healthy, eat right, and have had all the necessary care, the tests should reveal nothing, it would be rare if it showed anything. As for finding out the sex, as long as the baby is in a good position during your next ultrasound, you will definitely know what you are having, but something fun to do until then is dangle a ring on a piece of string over your pregnant belly and if it swings in a circle that indicates a girl, if it swings side to side or back and forth that indicates a boy. This is not 100% definite, its just fun. And, if the tests do show something, don't get worked up, they told my sister her son was going to have down syndrome and he doesn't

Answer 5

The chances of your child having a genetic anomaly cannot be given in straight numbers, as there are many factors which could affect your child, including disorders that you or the child's father has, your age, your ethnic background and so on. If you have questions about potential risk factors you need to speak to your health care provider, who can give you general information or refer you to a genetic counselor if more intensive information is necessary.

The tests are not always right, they can fail to discover some anomalies which are present, and can also render false positives, which can lead to months of anxiety and worry which turn out to be for nothing.

Ultrasound is not capable of providing a 100% certain answer about anything, including gender.

Answer 6

well the younger u are the less chance you'll have a child with birth defects and also yes u should be able to tell the baby's sex at 20 weeks my daughter is 19 weeks and she just found out she's having a boy!

Answer 7

hi--20+ weeks is the perfect time to get the gender u/s-they really cant tell before that.
I hope baby cooperates and shows you his/her goods, lol

I dont know what the chances of the tests are--but when I had it done, it came back fine-so they didnt do the amnio test with me.

Answer 8

with my 3rd child my tests came back showing high chances for downs syndrom. i refused ammino because of the risks of miscarrage (i had just lost one). i now have a perfectally healthy 3 y/o girl.--the test was wrong