[~*bumblebee*~]

Sorry I'm not sure of the proper name.

I didn't have any of the tests with DD I was positive I wouldn't with any future pregnancies but now I don't know. I'm older now 32, which I think increases the chance I guess the only reason if want to know is so we could prepare ourselves (not that it's something you really can prepare for)


Will you be having the test??

[jge]

Hi Bumblebee!

Do you mean a 12 week scan (or other tests)? (I'm pretty new to all this)

I'm really interested to hear others thoughts on this too - I don't see my OB til early jan (when I'll be close on 10 weeks) but the receptionist there advised I needed to book a scan now if I thought I'd want one. But I don't know anything about it - why I would or would not want the scan/test.

Love to hear some thoughts on it!

[living_bravely]

The 12 weeks scan in called the nuchal translucency (not sure of spelling!) It is a test for Down Syndrome and other disorders such as trisomy. You do not have to have it, but most people do. Most Ob's give a referral as standard I think, but it is completely up to you whether you have it or not.

bumblebee- I don't think the risk really increases until you are over 35.

jge- if you would like to have this scan done, you would need to see your Ob and ask for a referral at your 10 week appointment but probably need to book the scan now. Just call your Ob office and ask who they prefer to go through as I know my Ob prefers all patients to go through 3 specific scan places that specialise in this kind of thing.

I will absolutely be having this scan. I like to be prepared and want to know that bub is healthy, and if not I want to prepare as much as possible. PLUS it's the best view of bub! Our 12 week scan was so wonderful with DD. She was moving around, sucking her thumb and we had a 4D scan done and it was so cool!

Hope that helps! :-)

This post has been edited by living_bravely: 15/12/2012, 07:29 PM

[libbylu]

The risk of Down Syndrome doubles between age 22 and age 32, and doubles again between age 32 and age 36 etc. I think most docs would recommend the screening for women in their 30s.
The tests involve a blood test at 10-11 weeks and a scan at 12 weeks.
I went through the process with my first pregnancy when I was in my 20s because it was just so nice to have that first look at my baby and see him growing beautifully. And also reassuring to get a very low risk.

You don't get a definite answer from the screen though, you just get given a relative risk. i.e. based on the results your risk might be high (i.e. 1 chance in 20) or low (1 chance in 2000). Based on those risks you could go on to have further testing if you wished.

[littlepip]

I'm pretty new to this too but my GP suggested I have blood work done as well as a scan to check for downs and any other chromosomal abnormalities as well as those caused by a lack of folic acid. She said they pop all the information together and based on ultrasound measurements as well as blood levels in certain chemicals they can give you some pretty clear odds about where you stand - its so hard though as its not diagnostic just 'odds'. I'm in two minds - the piece of mind would be great but the stress of a not great result and all that extra testing (if thats what we want to do) would be pretty full on!!

[Mumma_G]

I am getting both bloods and the scan. Not that I would terminate, it would just give me time to emotional prepare if anything were to be picked up or 'high risk'.

[kerri76]

I will be getting this scan done also. I'm 36 though, so higher risk than you. I was pregnant at 32 with my first child and I wasn't advised to have the test like I have been this time.

[ChickyMumma]

I am 26 and having the 12 week scan mainly just to see our little person is on track.

[Starposs]

I am. We had it with our first and will have it with this bub too. I see it as an extra chance to see our bub and just make sure all is ok!

[shelly1170]

I'm MUCH older than all of you! I'm 42.

I had my first DD when I was 36, second DD when I was 37. I had an NT scan both times and had favourable results. But as my Obs said, "it's LOW risk, not NO risk". So we had an amnio both times also.

I will do the same with this pregnancy.