mothers that have been pregnant and had the triple test done please help?

Question

well ive had the triple test done and the results came in the post and they said that the risk was low did any of yours say this and what does this mean because i thought that they test the blood and they tell you yes or no what does this mean and what were all your results.

Answer 1

What does the triple screen test look for?
The triple screen is measuring high and low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol. The results are combined with the mother's age, weight, ethnicity and gestation of pregnancy in order to assess probabilities of potential genetic disorders.

High levels of AFP may suggest that the developing baby has a neural tube defect such as spina bifida or anencephaly. However, the most common reason for elevated AFP levels is inaccurate dating of the pregnancy.

Low levels of AFP and abnormal levels of hCG and estriol may indicate that the developing baby has Trisomy 21( Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edwards Syndrome) or another type of chromosome abnormality.

Although the primary reason for conducting the test is to screen for genetic disorders, the results of the triple screen can also be used to identify:

A multiples pregnancy
Pregnancies that are more or less advanced than thought
What do the triple test results mean?
It is important to remember that the triple test is a screening test and not a diagnostic test. This test only notes that a mother is at a possible risk of carrying a baby with a genetic disorder. The triple screen test is known to have a high percentage of false positive results.

Abnormal test results warrant additional testing for making a diagnosis. A more conservative approach involves performing a second triple screen followed by a high definition ultrasound. If the testing still maintains abnormal results, a more invasive procedure like amniocentesis may be performed.

Invasive testing procedures should be discussed thoroughly with your healthcare provider and between you and your partner. Additional counseling and discussions with a counselor, social worker or minister may prove helpful.

What are the reasons for further testing?
The triple screen is a routine screening that is not an invasive procedure and poses no risks to the mother or baby. The abnormal triple screen results often warrant additional testing. The reasons to pursue further testing or not vary from person to person and couple to couple. Performing further testing allows you to confirm a diagnosis and then provides you with certain opportunities:

Pursue potential interventions that may exist (i.e. fetal surgery for spina bifida)
Begin planning for a child with special needs
Start addressing anticipated lifestyle changes
Identify support groups and resources
Make a decision about carrying the child to term
Some individuals or couples may elect not to pursue testing or additional testing for various reasons:

They are comfortable with the results no matter what the outcome is
Because of personal, moral, or religious reasons, making a decision about carrying the child to term is not an option
Some parents choose not to allow any testing that poses any risk of harming the developing baby
It is important to discuss the risks and benefits of testing thoroughly with your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider will help you evaluate if the benefits from the results could outweigh any risks from the procedure.

Last Updated: 02/2006

Answer 2

i had it done and my results were one in 37000 so this mean low risk, unfortunately they cant give you a def yes or no answer but you are considered high risk if you are test results come back at 1 in 250. so unless yours were 1 in 250 don't worry you have your 20 week scan soon and this will show up any thing that maybe wrong. Try to remember that it is very rare for things to be really wrong with your baby. My doc said to me that he may see only 1 or 2 cases a YEAR were some thing has been up. and he sees thousands. I am sure your baby will be fit and healthy just like millions born every day xx xx

Answer 3

Are you talking about for Down's and things like that? If you are then the only way they can say yes or no is an amniocintisis (I probably spelt that wrong). The blood test can't give a definite. It just lets them know what the risk is so they can decide if they need more testing. The amnio test is alot more dangerous so they only do it if they suspect that your baby may have a high risk for having Down's or something. You can still refuse the amnio test even if they decide to do it. Low risk means you shouldn't have to worry about it. So I wouldn't. Sit back and enjoy your pregnancy. Congratulations. :)

Answer 4

Results always comes back with you either being at low risk or high risk. Low risk means everything looks good and there shouldn't be anything to worry about.
They use low and high risk out of a percentage and it is associated with mothers age, mostly.
The only way to know yes or no is to do a Amniocentesis (not sure how that's spelled).
Which you don't want because it can cause miscarriage. Just be happy with what they give you, if they seen any concern they would inform you. Low is good news!

Answer 5

With my first i had this done. For no real reason as i'm not over 30. If i remember rightly your results come in ratio form? Think mine was 1:500 - which isn't classed as high risk.

All it means is i had a 1 in 500 chance of my baby being downs, having edwards syndrome etc.

If you'd have scored high risk you are then asked if you wish to have an amniocentis which is a further test where they test the amniotic fluid from round your baby.

Don't worry if the doctors thought there had been anything to worry about they would have let you know.

Have a good pregnancy & congratulations xx

Answer 6

Downs, Spina Bifida and Trisomy 18 AFP: alpha-fetoprotein is a protein this is produced by utilising the fetus hCG: human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone produced interior the placenta Estriol: estriol is an estrogen produced by utilising the two the fetus and the placenta Inhibin-A: inhibin-A is a protein produced by utilising the placenta and ovaries The quad exhibit screen is a maternal blood screening try this is equivalent to the Triple exhibit screen try (additionally know as AFP Plus and the dissimilar Marker Screening). besides the incontrovertible fact that, the quad exhibit screen seems for no longer in hassle-free terms the three specific ingredients evaluated in those tests (AFP, hCG, and Estriol) yet additionally a fourth substance popular as Inhibin-A. The exhibit screen is basically an analogous by way of fact the screening tests that seem for below 3 ingredients, different than the prospect of figuring out pregnancies in possibility for Down Syndrome is bigger interior the direction of the assessment of Inhibin-A ranges. The fake valuable cost of the try is likewise decrease.

Answer 7

This test merely gives you an age related risk of having a baby with Downs. You need to speak to your midwife if you have any worries or think about having an OSCAR test if you are less than 13 weeks pregnant as this is a more accurate test as it is a blood test and nucral fold scan. However, you do need to pay for this.

Answer 8

I had the triple test, and basically, they give you a 1 in so many chance for downs or neural tube defects (mine was one in 18,000 I think, so REALLY low - I was so lucky) They can't ever be 100% sure, but low risk is as good as it gets. They also check at the 20 week scan for soft markers for downs etc, but a low risk result means that your baby is MOST LIKELY absolutely fine. Please try not to worry and enjoy your pregnancy

Answer 9

I would not worry to much about having any difficulties. Them saying that the risk is low is good.


I had the AFP (or triple screen) test done at a specialist's office and the results came back with very little chance of Downs, Trisomy 13 or 18. The test was accidently repeated at my regular OB-GYN's office and it came back saying that my daughter had Downs. (She is 100% fine by the way).

This test has a very high incidence of false positives. According to the doctor who performed the original test, it is very useful when used in conjuction with ultrasound, but almost useless on its own because it is statistical data based on reported numbers and findings, not clinical data.

Take a look here
http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/afp/a/afptesting.htm
and here
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/1487.html

Answer 10

The triple test gives a risk factor. It cannot tell you for certain one way or the other whether your child has Downs etc. If your risk is low, then you can rest easy.