Back with Quad Screen results
Well, the AFP was very abnormal. I was shocked by the number he gave me. It was 1:11. A normal value based on my age would be like 1:500 (based on what values list you look at).
I think my heart went into my throat when he said 1:11 chance of the baby having Down's Syndrome.
Of course I didn't get an ultrasound, but I have an appointment scheduled next Wednesday at a Maternal Fetal Perinatologist for an in-depth ultrasound, genetics counseling and possible amniocentesis.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared to DEATH because I am. But I'm looking at the positive side. He DID do the test right at the beginning of the time frame that they normal DO the quad screen. It's usually done between 15-22 weeks and I was 15 weeks THAT DAY. He said that CAN be a reason why my number was high. But it's not a test that they repeat JUST because it was done on the threshold of when they normally do it. He just wants me to see the maternal fetal Dr., let them look at the baby and see if the baby exhibits any characteristics of Down's Syndrome. He said if they don't see anything on ultrasound, that drops the chances of our baby having Down's Syndrome by 50%! Also, I'm sure with the amnio they could tell for sure if the baby had it (don't know cuz I didn't get into in-depth questions about the amnio because I don't want to get it done personally), but I'd rather wait and see what the ultrasound shows. If that shows something, I'll get the amnio done.
I'm still pretty much in shock. I feel guilty. I asked if this or that caused it. If any medication I'm taking would cause it. He reassured me that they didn't. I just want to make sure I get this baby here.....healthy. So, all of your prayers are very helpful and appreciated. Please keep us in your prayers this wee****il I know more from this maternal fetal Dr. Thank you all!
I think my heart went into my throat when he said 1:11 chance of the baby having Down's Syndrome.
Of course I didn't get an ultrasound, but I have an appointment scheduled next Wednesday at a Maternal Fetal Perinatologist for an in-depth ultrasound, genetics counseling and possible amniocentesis.
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't scared to DEATH because I am. But I'm looking at the positive side. He DID do the test right at the beginning of the time frame that they normal DO the quad screen. It's usually done between 15-22 weeks and I was 15 weeks THAT DAY. He said that CAN be a reason why my number was high. But it's not a test that they repeat JUST because it was done on the threshold of when they normally do it. He just wants me to see the maternal fetal Dr., let them look at the baby and see if the baby exhibits any characteristics of Down's Syndrome. He said if they don't see anything on ultrasound, that drops the chances of our baby having Down's Syndrome by 50%! Also, I'm sure with the amnio they could tell for sure if the baby had it (don't know cuz I didn't get into in-depth questions about the amnio because I don't want to get it done personally), but I'd rather wait and see what the ultrasound shows. If that shows something, I'll get the amnio done.
I'm still pretty much in shock. I feel guilty. I asked if this or that caused it. If any medication I'm taking would cause it. He reassured me that they didn't. I just want to make sure I get this baby here.....healthy. So, all of your prayers are very helpful and appreciated. Please keep us in your prayers this wee****il I know more from this maternal fetal Dr. Thank you all!
Allie
Mom to 5 cuties!! 
Ages 15, 7, 6, 4 & a 3 month old sweety!
-250 Pounds since GBS!
Little Angel 8/14/09 ectopic 
Two pregnancies ago my odds were 1:11 of her having downs. She is perfect and the smartest 2 1/2 year old I know. It was much ado about nothing. Hopefully yor peri will do a 4d US and you will be reassured. they will look at heart, ear placement, nose placement and formation.
1:11 = .09% - 50% drop = .045% that is a very small number. Try not to worry :)
1:11 = .09% - 50% drop = .045% that is a very small number. Try not to worry :)
God Bless! Jen
Mark 9:37a "Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me."
Well that is reassuring. About a 10% is not a HUGE number. I am encouraged by the fact that we have a 90% chance of having a healthy baby. I definitely like those odds, but still.....it's all the worry you have to go threw UNTIL you know for sure that's hard. I mean, what Mom wouldn't worry? lol And I'm BAD at worrying.
Thanks for the encouragement!
Thanks for the encouragement!
Allie
Mom to 5 cuties!! Ages 15, 7, 6, 4 & a 3 month old sweety!
-250 Pounds since GBS!
Hey there. First off (((hugs))).
I know what you are going through but my experience is a little different. All my screenings came back completely normal (nuchal and quad). However, when they did the 20 week anatomy scan they found a few soft markers...she has a very small nasal bone and she had 2 holes in her heart. The tiny nasal bone while a soft marker is a very strong soft marker has it is a very common trait of downs babies but very rare in non downs babies. Well they started to keep a close eye on the holes in her heart and at 30 weeks the holes were small enough to no longer be considered to be an issue (in fact because the tech was only doing a growth scan she didnt even realize the holes until she looked very close and she still had trouble finding them). But that problem was replaced with a another problem, IGRD or inter-uterine growth restricted. Her head circumference and femurs are measuring right on target but her abdomen is growing small...shes only in the 29% percentile. This is a problem because it is another soft marker for down syndrome, the babies dont grow as fast or on schedule. So my concern is still there.
So when I got the news of the possibility I refused the amnio because the answer would not change my decision to carry her to term and it carries a risk of miscarriage which is oftentimes higher than the risk of ds. I will not know the outcome of her health status until after 36 weeks when the window to get an amnio done opens up again (cant get one done between 24-36 weeks because it can cause preterm labor). At 36 weeks if it causes labor she is big enough to safely be delivered. I have just been dealing with the possibility by just accepting its a good chance she does have ds (since the nasal bone is such a strong soft marker) and if she doesnt, which I constantly pray she doesnt, THANK YOU GOD! But will I love her any less, HELL NO! DS is no fault of your own if it turns out that way. It is a chromosomal miscalculation that just happens and still cannot be explained why, just that there is no control over it. The good news is that these days cases of DS are quite mild as the main problem were the heath problems (but these days those are corrected and early in life). Early jump start learning programs help DS kids be right on schedule learning wise and many now grow to live independent lives. I hope both our cases turn out for the best but if you have any questions or just need to talk to someone in your shoes feel free to message me at anytime.
Simone
I know what you are going through but my experience is a little different. All my screenings came back completely normal (nuchal and quad). However, when they did the 20 week anatomy scan they found a few soft markers...she has a very small nasal bone and she had 2 holes in her heart. The tiny nasal bone while a soft marker is a very strong soft marker has it is a very common trait of downs babies but very rare in non downs babies. Well they started to keep a close eye on the holes in her heart and at 30 weeks the holes were small enough to no longer be considered to be an issue (in fact because the tech was only doing a growth scan she didnt even realize the holes until she looked very close and she still had trouble finding them). But that problem was replaced with a another problem, IGRD or inter-uterine growth restricted. Her head circumference and femurs are measuring right on target but her abdomen is growing small...shes only in the 29% percentile. This is a problem because it is another soft marker for down syndrome, the babies dont grow as fast or on schedule. So my concern is still there.
So when I got the news of the possibility I refused the amnio because the answer would not change my decision to carry her to term and it carries a risk of miscarriage which is oftentimes higher than the risk of ds. I will not know the outcome of her health status until after 36 weeks when the window to get an amnio done opens up again (cant get one done between 24-36 weeks because it can cause preterm labor). At 36 weeks if it causes labor she is big enough to safely be delivered. I have just been dealing with the possibility by just accepting its a good chance she does have ds (since the nasal bone is such a strong soft marker) and if she doesnt, which I constantly pray she doesnt, THANK YOU GOD! But will I love her any less, HELL NO! DS is no fault of your own if it turns out that way. It is a chromosomal miscalculation that just happens and still cannot be explained why, just that there is no control over it. The good news is that these days cases of DS are quite mild as the main problem were the heath problems (but these days those are corrected and early in life). Early jump start learning programs help DS kids be right on schedule learning wise and many now grow to live independent lives. I hope both our cases turn out for the best but if you have any questions or just need to talk to someone in your shoes feel free to message me at anytime.
Simone
In a world full of cheerios be a fruit loop!
260lbs.......148lbs........165lbs
Start........Current.......Goal
Goal met 11/23
Thanks Simone for telling me your situation. I hope to God for both of our babies that they are ok and HEALTHY! I'm just so nervous.
I'm still going to carry the baby. I wouldn't abort it even if it's 100% proven that it had Down's. We're going to love the baby no matter what. It just tears me up when ANYTHING is wrong with one of my kids and especially when it's a new little baby that hasn't even had a chance to be born yet, it might already be facing issues. Which I hope to God is not the case. Just got to sweat it out and see what the ultrasound shows. I'm still not decided what I'll do about getting the amnio done. There's too much risk involved for me to feel comfortable getting one. I think it will depend on what is found on the ultrasound.
It's good to know I'm not the only one going through this! My prayers are with you and your baby as well!
I'm still going to carry the baby. I wouldn't abort it even if it's 100% proven that it had Down's. We're going to love the baby no matter what. It just tears me up when ANYTHING is wrong with one of my kids and especially when it's a new little baby that hasn't even had a chance to be born yet, it might already be facing issues. Which I hope to God is not the case. Just got to sweat it out and see what the ultrasound shows. I'm still not decided what I'll do about getting the amnio done. There's too much risk involved for me to feel comfortable getting one. I think it will depend on what is found on the ultrasound.
It's good to know I'm not the only one going through this! My prayers are with you and your baby as well!
Allie
Mom to 5 cuties!! Ages 15, 7, 6, 4 & a 3 month old sweety!
-250 Pounds since GBS!
Yes just keep praying...its all you can do. If you are 100% sure that you would not abort baby then I say forgo on the amnio (unless not knowing for sure will eat you alive). While the chance of a miscarriage is small these days, if you refuse to do anything then why even tempt fate (and these were the words that came from my genetic counselor and the reason I didnt do it). Also, if you want to know there is another window after 36 weeks where you can get it done again....I will prob get it done at that time.
In a world full of cheerios be a fruit loop!
260lbs.......148lbs........165lbs
Start........Current.......Goal
Goal met 11/23
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