Im 19 years old first child, 17 weeks and 5 days and i just found out 2day that my baby is at a high risk for down syndrome and i dont understand why im young and healthy, it doesnt run on neither sides of the family. Im losing my mind because how could this be, the nurse told me about gentic counseling, how does that suppose to help, Im going to keep my baby regradless if it has it or not, im just worried, anxious, and scared. Please help Im trying not to get woked up about.
2007-09-04 05:45:00 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
they determine this by taking my blood, i didnt do any other test doe. thanks eeryone for your responses they are really helpful
2007-09-04 09:40:46 · update #1
O i had a ultra sound when i was 6 weeks we saw one baby, I go back on the12 to see the changes. On the first one the baby was pretty long becuz of his dad is 6'6 hes pretty tall. but i cant wait to see how the baby has grow
2007-09-04 09:52:44 · update #2
Oh my goodness, you are totally misunderstanding the results of the AFP, triple screen or quadruple-screen test.
Your are not "at high risk" for having a baby with Down's Syndrome. Meaning, that if you were to conceive a hundred babies, your odds wouldn't be any higher than anyone else with your age and other characteristics. The test doesn't test you.
The test looks for certain fetal proteins the baby excretes into your blood. Every day of pregnancy has a different "normal" level of proteins, and being even the teeniest bit wrong about when you conceived (or the length of your cycle) can give you scary test results.
The "risk" mentioned with results out of normal are either neural tube defects, or Down's syndrome, depending on whether the results are on the low side or the high side.
The TRUTH is that more than 90% of people testing out-of-normal range actually end up having perfectly normal babies, and just had their dates wrong. Even in a 28 day menstrual cycle, you could ovulate on a different day and conceive on a different day, and end up testing out of range even though the baby is normal.
The medical industry thrives when people are ignorant and scared. it's a disgusting thing about pregnancy in America. Please educate yourself, I can see you in an unnecessary C-section already because you're a doctor's dream come true.
http://www.birthinamerica.com
http://www.thebusinessofbeingborn.com
http://www.birthasweknowit.com
The US has the highest infant and maternal mortality rate of all industrialized nations. This "medical" way of being pregnant in America is a disgrace, they do more testing and poking and prodding here than in any other industrialized country, and it isn't working. Women and babies are dying because Pregnancy and birth are being treated as diseases. Don't let them scare you into mistrusting your body, at 19 you are physically stronger and healthier than most older moms, do yourself a favor and get a strong brain, too. Research this stuff. Don't let them make a pincushion out of you. Being young doesn't mean you have to be stupid.
http://www.mothering.com is a great place to start researching natural pregnancy and birth, and has a great article about prenatal testing (what they look for, what to do if your results are off...)
2007-09-09 14:11:50 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
women under 20 and over 40 have higher chances of having a baby with down's syndrome, the body can't be too young or too old , regarding the biological clock for having babies. They have to do some tests tough, to confirm how high the chances are. Don't worry about it, don't stress the baby. Pray a lot and have faith, many people have been told to be carrying a child with DS and at the end they had completely healthy babies....I hope it all goes well. Get all the tests done.
2007-09-04 06:04:14 · answer #2 · answered by Baby Ruth habla español 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I understand your fear and worry. I'm 22 years old and I'm 34 weeks with my first and after my 19 week ultrasound we found out our baby has a multi-cystic kidney and it broke my heart. I cried so much because how could this happen to him? I did everything your suppose to... I took the vitamins, quit drinking, didn't smoke, ate healthy. We both come from perfectly healthy families. In the end I just felt bad for him, I didn't want this holding him back or causing him any pain. Now that we've seen numerous doctors and prayed a million prayers I feel more confident about our situation and believe that God will deliver him. Ask as many questions as you want, there are no stupid questions. Trust in God he loves you and your baby more than you know. Believe that he will make your baby whole and don't stress too much. Pregnancy should be enjoyed because in the end it will all be worth it.
2007-09-04 05:59:11 · answer #3 · answered by Darling 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you find this information out as a result of a quad screen? If so, your doctor should have told you that these screens are notorious for detecting false positives. They just tell you that there may be an increased risk for a condition like downs, but they don't prove 100% that your baby has the condition. You would need additional testing, such as an amnio, to detect if your baby truly has downs. If you plan to keep your baby regardless, I wouldn't recommend an amnio though since there is an increased risk to the baby if you have one done.
Talk to your doctor more about how they found this information out and what it means for you. Good luck.
2007-09-04 05:53:05 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
You have been together with this guy for 5 months. Think about this very carefully. Do you know what the rate is that you will be together for the endurance of this child's life. "0". Before you bring an innocent child in this world think about your future and the child's. I hear this all the time how kids your age think a child will fix everything and bring the two of you closer together. Nine times out of ten the kids wish they had been more mature, and had waited until they were financially and mentally stable to raise a child. . Where are you going to live? Think of the child in all this. No you don't know how much it takes because you are being selfish and self serving. If you did not want the answers then you shouldn't post your question.
2016-03-17 23:33:44 · answer #5 · answered by Janice 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please try not to worry. This happened to my niece at Christmas. She was at about your stage of pregnancy and was told she was high risk - she's 28. She had a perfectly healthy baby girl in May this year.
If they are taking a blood test from you then that is only your blood and not your baby's. When they factor in everything else it can give a high risk. For example, smoking, age etc.
I really do feel for you cos I know how my niece felt. Speak to your midwife and ask exactly the reasons why you are high risk.
Please try not to worry though as your baby will be the most wonderful gift and you will adore him/her with or without Down's.
All the best.
2007-09-04 09:27:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having a younger sister with Down's Syndrome, I completely understand your worry- but just remember that the screen they do for down's has up to a 50% false positive rate!!! Just for that reason (besides the fact that down's is not a hereditary chromosomal disorder), my hubby and I chose NOT to have the quad screen done. A genetic counselor may help ease some of your worries and may help prepare for what to expect in a newborn with Down's, but they may also just leave you more stressed than ever. Your 20-22 week U/S may help relieve some of the worries, since down's babies tend to have some recognizable features...My thoughts and prayers are with you!! Good luck with a healthy pregnancy and beautiful baby!
2007-09-04 06:03:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Call back and ask her why you are considered high risk. I have also heard the testing can be wrong a lot of the time.
My step sister did have a down syndrome child in her early 20's though, there is not a lot of explanation for it, it is a genetic defect that cannot be traced to the father or mother is what she was told.
Call and ask them for more specific reasons for what they said and research it yourself, I have read many answers on here saying the test said their child would be Downs and it was not.
There are also certain Down Syndrome characteristics they can look for on an ultra sound, is what my step sister told me.
2007-09-04 05:51:43 · answer #8 · answered by Miss Coffee 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If you are having a baby with downs you did nothing it is the dice rolling in humanity and it is cell changes it just happens .
Downs syndrome kids are so love-able and and these days with all the new stuff they do the kids are usually just a year behind at school .There are some that have chest trouble.
They can be taught to keep there tongues in their mouths I just wish you a happy health baby try to relax and not fear that makes more problems with baby and your pregnancy than any thing .
Plenty of help out there .
http://kidshealth.org/kid/health_problems/birth_defect/down_syndrome.html
2007-09-08 14:47:59 · answer #9 · answered by dishwashingqueen 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
CK...first off I want to say congratulations on the upcoming birth of your baby!!!! =) my advice to you is a few things: first off... see the genetic counselor. they will explain DS in detail and explain to you why you might be considered high risk. ask your doctor to schedule you for a level 2 or high intensity ultra-sound, this is performed by a perinatologist and will look for certain "markers" that would indicate a chance for DS. if you really want to know for sure if your baby has DS or not, you have the option of taking an amnio (this, besides a CVS sampling is they only way to know for sure (100%) that your baby will or will not have it) I went through what you are going through now...it is scary and every emotion is running through you. today I have 3 great boys, my youngest happens to have an extra chromosome...no big deal. he is the sunshine of my days and the son of my soul and I love him with all my heart. if you need to talk more...please email me! I'd be happy to help you get through this.....and I can also put you in contact with a very special person who is 17 yrs old and the mother to a gorgeous little boy who has DS as well...so you see it can happen to anyone.....hang in there sweetie..all will work out for the best!
2007-09-04 11:12:47 · answer #10 · answered by julie's_GSD_kirby 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋