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Good thoughts for those getting scans next week, mine is on 10th april, there seem to be a few on this thread who are due around the same time, i am due first week in september. And Heart, i am not scared, but no doubt when the time comes i will do my usually shaking like a leaf at the u/s place. I think i am still in shock that i am actually pregnant after having the last few pregnancies end in miscarriage. There was an attractive teenage girl (only really noticed the down's in the way a possible pregnant and over 40 woman would) in the supermarket packing shelves the day i got the test... i think maybe seeing her might have helped in that if thats the worst that can happen it wont be so bad.

that should have read 'the day i got the home preg test'

I had the quad screen with last baby and it was fine; I was almost 42 when I had him-normal baby. Now I am 45 and 14 weeks and I don't think i want to do the quad screen because if is positive, I will be a nervous wreck for the rest of the pregnancy. I would not terminate no matter what.

hi tammy, if you have decided not to terminate (as i too have decided for my own reasons) then the screen may be a waste of time, on the other hand it may lower your risk and be quite good. My nuchal fold screen brought my risk from 1:15 (standard for maternal age at birth of 45) to 1:65... so that was actually quite nice. Though not too stressed about the pregnancy i did have a bit of a spring in my step when i left the doctors with a much lower chance.... :-)

Kaz, sad for you, it is a horrible experience to terminate at your stage of pregnancy. Reading up on downs risks, the further you go in your pregnancy the lower your chances, this is because many down's babies will die in utero before the nine months or soon after birth. Many terminations are in a way 'unnecessary' as the baby would have pa__sed away in the last trimester as nature takes its course. It is very sad for you and hope you find strength to cope with your loss. Your baby may well have never made it even if left to nature. Dont let this shadow your life, women are at great risk of depression after termination so take care.

My insurance won't cover the neuchal screen test and I am now almost 14 weeks so it would be too late anyways. The blood tests have a 25% false positive rate so I fear getting a false positive and then being scared for 4 more months.

I've been teaching special education for 16 years. In that time I have taught (and loved) many, many children with Down Syndrome. In my experience, most of the children with DS I have taught we born to younger mothers. Actually, only 3 were born to mothers over the age of 35. I have had mothers who were as young as 15 when they gave birth and as old as 42. Also, not to judge anyone, as I believe in making the choice that is right for you and I am pro-choice, but if I had to choose a child with a disability I would choose a child with DS. They're awesome kids, amazing adults, and can live very productive lives. As far as having to be "taken care of", there are tons of resources available these days for all people with disabilities, especially ones with DS. Most often, given the support of the family and school systems, adults with DS hold jobs (sometimes in sheltered workshops, sometimes in the public), are able to live (most often in supervised situations... outside the famiy home if parents access their resources), and are generally great people. Also remember, your chances of having a child with DS are typically very low. 1:146 is minor when you think of the reverse that you have a 145:146 chance of NOT having a child with DS. Good luck to all of you. I'm 15 weeks today and have my level II ultrasound at the end of the month. My husband and I have decided to keep the baby regardless of whether or not it has a disability but, of course, I'm hoping for a healthy little sucker. (I'm 38 and this is my first pregnancy.) I'll be sending good vibes out to everyone for nothing but good news.... Thai

Hi, everyone. We had the detailed scan two days ago and our baby looked great! He is measuring just right for his age and all organs are perfect and functioning well. We were also given the blood test results and it showed that the risk of our baby having DS is 1:1123. My husband and I gained a lot from our experience these past 7 weeks. New friends ... the ability to see the wonderful qualities of people with special needs ... admiration for parents of children with special needs ... a stonger marriage ... and above all, a stronger relationship with God and a wonderful spiritual life. We continue to pray for a "normal" and healthy baby and a safe delivery. Thank you, everyone, for your support. Rest a__sured that all of you are in our prayers as well.

Great news Heart, a baby boy and no more worries for you now. Your baby is going to come into the world knowing it would have been accepted regardless of any disabilities, but looks like all is going to be just perfect. Bet you have a spring in your step now!! I have my scan soon, so your prayers are appreciated. xx

Hi ladies, I was just wondering how everyone's doing? Dee71, marranie, and monique ... any update on your u/s? ThePezChick, good luck with your level II u/s scheduled at the end of this month. Tammy, I totally understand why you're considering doing away with the quad screen. While the results of my blood test did boost my spirits up, I wouldn't have opted to have it done if not for the results of the nuchal translucency screen. Once again, I'd like to thank you ladies, and everyone else who alloted a portion of their time to help me through the past 7 weeks. Your support has meant so much to me and I'm sure visitors of this thread are greatful to you as well. All the best to everyone. I have a feeling everthing will turn out to be wonderful for everyone.

Hello Ladies, Heart I'm so glad to hear things are going well for you.I had my third level II u/s on the 29th. Everything was fine DR.said the problem with the collection area of the kidney was now normal and my risk numbers would go back to 1:201 for the abnormal triple screen so that was good news. I am starting to feel better, a little good news helps. I think spring might play a role also .I was getting tired of rain and dark days.Well I hope everyone is doing well.Best Wishes to all.HAPPY SPRING!!

Hi all, had my 19 week u/s.... all perfect... no markers for down's at all and growth etc perfect, all bits exactly where they should be and working. From 1:15 chances of down's to "no reason to worry" now... i haven't been TOO worried but nice to have such good results, i will be 45 when i have the baby... looks like a girl... Dee, i wouldn't worry too much about the triple screen results, if you have a good ultrasound that tells you a lot more... your baby has been SEEN and now time to relax and enjoy the rest of the pregnancy. :-)

Hi Heart, I've been lurking about for a few weeks debating the whole Genetic Testing issue. I am pregnant with my first child and will be 37 when s/he is born. Just last week, I decided to do the Nuchal Translucency Screen at another hospital since mine doesn't offer it. Got in just under the wire as I was 13w6d. I should get the results this week, but the doctor said the measurements looked good and my odds should improve significantly (standard for my age was ~1:176). Congratulations on your improved odds, 1:146 to 1:1123 is a vast improvement. I'm curious how the doctors explained the improvement to you. Do they think the NT results were faulty? Were you further along than they thought?

Hi Dee71 & marranie, I am so happy for you and the babies! The ultrasound does tell us more about the baby's condition and being told that everything is okay after the detailed scan should bring greater relief than favorable triple screen results. Hi Trish, congratulations on being pregnant with your first child too! The triple screen results were revealed to me after the detailed scan. Having seen via u/s that my baby is okay, I didn't care much about the ratio hence, didn't think of asking why the big difference. Sorry I can't answer your question. Maybe I could bring it up at our next appointment. Well ... looks like I'll be saying a long thanksgiving prayer for everyone tonight! Take care and please keep us posted.

Heart, thanks for getting back with me. I had heard that the NT Screen was more reliable than the Triple Screen, so I was curious how they explained the difference. I guess it comes down to the fact that they are both just risk a__sessments. Your detailed u/s probably had more to do with your improved odds than the screens. No worries for not asking. I'm sure you were just glad to hear that your baby is okay. I'm happy for you. I'm still waiting for the big warm fuzzy so I can avoid an amnio without any misgivings. Until then, I'm questioning everything. Seeing the little bean jumping around on the u/s monitor makes me feel better, though. Best of luck to everyone.

Having read articles claiming that NT screen is more accurate than the triple screen makes me still worry a lot about my baby. Nevertheless, I am very greatful to God that the ultrasound shows I'm having a healthy baby boy. I'll keep praying for a healthy and "normal" baby. Happy Easter, everyone!