Tests for downs/trisomy21 during pregnancy?

Question

did you do it? i am 19 weeks i think its too late for me to do it but i was wondering if its even that big of a deal to do. i'm 21 years old... dont know if age has anything to do with it. and if you did it, what do they do draw blood from you or what?

Thanks for all the answers! I just called my doctor they said it might be too late but they are going to double check and call me back. btw i am due July 25th

Answer 1

Hey sweetie! I'm 21 years old too and I'm 21 weeks. When I was 18 weeks pregnant they did my quad blood screen (instead of an amniocentisis) and the results came back perfectly fine. They also check his thickness on his neckolds (since down syndrome babies have thicker neck folds) and the baby looked perfectly fine. I think you'll be ok. Don't worry. You'll little one will be perfect in your eyes, no matter what.

Answer 2

Well, ask yourself what you would do with any results. I am 35 and I had the QUAD test done when I was around 18 weeks, I think. I got a "false positive" which is common in Moms around my age. That means there was a high probability my baby had downs. She does not. It made no difference to me. I'd love her the same either way. The nurses tell stories of how that test leads some parents to take matters into their own hands, a sad state of affairs. Many are against the tests and amnios because we cannot control the world much, everything is in God's hands. Sorry for such a heavy answer, I just think all babies are so precious and we get caught up in the science of it all nowadays. We miss the wonder and the possibilities of such a miracle! Congratulations to you! I was 21 when my 1st was born and I have a 4 month old, too. You could do it, but it isn't necessary, especially at your age and yes it is just another blood test. Peace.

Answer 3

I had an amnio at 18 weeks with my last pregnancy. I don't think it's too late to have one. It use to be that just women over 35 had one, but I just recently read that all women should be offered one. They inject a needle in the abdomen and into the amniotic sac and withdraw some of the fluid. They use and ultrasound to guide the needle so they don't poke the baby. This is the best test for checking chromosomal defects.

We learned our daughter has Down's Syndrome. We never thought of terminating the pregnancy, but the information did help us prepare for any special needs that she might have. There are characteristics of Down's Syndrome that can be seen on an ultrasound, such as a thickness in the skin on the back of the neck and a short femur bone.

Although your risk of having a child with a chromosomal defect increases with age, there are many younger women with children who have Down's Syndrome. Believe me, I'm not trying to scare you, just give you information to make your own decision. I wish you a healthy pregnancy and baby.

Answer 4

First of all, congratulations!

They just take blood. The only thing is I did it all three pregnancies. When I had the test done for my last child, the screening said that it COULD have down syndrome which doesnt mean it will. It is just a screening but you still worry the whole pregnancy. I didnt get the amniocentesis because of the risk factor associated with it. Thank God my child was fine but I almost regret taking it because of all the worry.

Answer 5

I am also 21 years old and I am due July 27. My doctor scheduled me for an appointment for this same test for March 8th. He told me its my decision if I do it. I decided Im NOT going to do it because he told me most of the results do come back positive even though most of it is false results, most of the times the baby comes out just fine. Im not doing this test because of that reason, and because I dont want unwanted stress because I know I would freak out if my test came back positive. More stress isnt good for the baby.
He also told me that what he would do is draw blood from my arm and thats how he would perform the test.
Good Luck!!

P.S whens your due date??

Answer 6

They have a blood test called AFP..its a triple screen test for all the trisomys..13, 18 and 21...If the blood work comes back abnormal they would do further testing such as an amnio....Good Luck~

Answer 7

Yes I was tested both times and I am in my 20s. I had a friend that did not test and her son was a still-born due to extreme case of downs. I would recommend you get the test done. Its a simple blood test from the arm.

Answer 8

Not too late, but getting there...
Yes they just take blood.

Answer 9

i got it done...im 19. they take blood, and do an ultrasound to measure the amount of fluid around the neck i believe.

Answer 10

I did my AFP testing at 19 weeks, you should be able to do it still.