Down Syndrome and Neural Tube Defect blood test results

Hi ladies

Im 22 and 19 weeks pregnant with my first baby and have just received my blood test results back for Down Syndrome and Neural Tube Defect and my chances are showing as 1 in 9200 risk.

 Although this seems pretty low risk, I just wanted to know whether anyone else has had this test so you can share your results.

Many thanks

 Louise x

Hi there Louise.  I too am 22 I have not had these tests yet but am due to have them on Friday of this week.  If you don't mind me asking (i know it doesn't answer your question in the slightest) but how long do you have to wait for the results once the tests have been carried out and what exactly is involved in such tests?

It seems to me that 1 in 9200 is a very low risk but as I have not had the tests, i can't help ~ i'm sorry.

Jo (16 + 3)

Hi Jo

Thanks for your reply.

The test is just a very quick blood test in your arm which lasts a couple of minutes.

You midwife will also check your blood pressure and weight and I also got to hear the baby's heartbeat which was pretty amazing.

The midwife did say the test results may take between 3/4 weeks to get to me, however I only had to wait 2 weeks.

 I am 18 weeks and 5 days but i dont seem to be showing any bump yet so it all dosent seem real at the mo but i will be having my 2nd scan on 6th Feb to find out the sex so i really cant wait for that.

 I hope ur pregnancy is going all well for you.

Louise x

p.s It would still be nice to hear from any other mums-to-be that have or are due to have their down syndrome and spina bifida tests

Hi Louise,

I'm off to London to have the 1st part of the Integrate (or Bart's) Test done on Monday. I have to have a blood test done & the nuchal fold scan. Then, at around 15 weeks, I have to have another blood test done and they will take the results of all the bloods, the scan and my age, and will then give me a risk factor. I am anxious about it cuz I'm 37 and this is my 1st pregnancy. I'm currently 10+5.

Your risk of 1 in 9200 sounds great....I'll be very happy if I have a result like that, however with my age that is unlikely!

I must say, I am surprised that you have been tested for Downs at your age. Down here (Devon) they only 'offer' it for over 35's....and then you have to pay for it - £200. I'm going to London because the Wolfson Institute offer a more comprehensive test with a much lower false positive rate. As I have to pay for the test regardless, I want the best one!!!

I'll let you know how I get on!

Ciao...Kat x 

I'm a bit confused about all these tests to be honest...i had my bloods done, but im not entierly sure if it was for downs or not. My MW is not very good with communication to be honest, she just gave me the bear minimum of info. Im not to worried tho as im only 21 and in good health, so she did say the risk was extremely low. I do know, however that i will not be having any of the amneocentisis (or however u spell it) tests as i wouldnt want to risk the baby in any way and at the end of the day the results wouldnt make any difference anyway!

laura and ray xx

In our area I believe its called the Triple Test - they test (all expectant mums) for Downs, Spina Bifida and 1 other (not sure). I had a call from a MW at hospital within 3 days of them taking the blood, advising me of a raised AFP result (indicating Spina Bifida or in fact twins!) We were booked in for an early anomily scan the next week to check baby out especially the spine. This caused us alot of worry because my husband has a nephew with spina bifida. All turn out absolutly fine.

This isn't unusual my collegue had her blood test on Monday and recieved a letter today giving her the all clear. Did they not give you any indication of whether those results are ok, medium risk or high risk. If not, i'd give them a call and find out.

Px

I havent heard back yet, and im not entirely sure who to get in contact with as it was at the local hospital and my mw wasnt present! Might giver her a ring any way, she may already have my results. who knows with hospitals these days eh?!

Glad everything turned out fine for you and your bump!

x

Hi Ladies

 Thanks so much for your replys, its so nice to hear from other mums-to-be.

 Tinker2 - this test is also called the triple test in our area too, they also test for neautral tube defect. Before I had the blood test my age risk was 1 in 1500 and when i got the results it went up to 1 in 9200 which is quite amazing. It does state on the letter i received with all the results that im low risk for all which i was kind of expecting as im only 22 and im in good heath and have no medical background but it is still nice to know for sure. Im glad all ur results turned out to be ok in the end, bet it was a relief for you

Luvly_laura - U should get ur results in the post within 3 weeks, however if u havent heard anything yet, i would take it as a good thing, as they usually say, no news is good news but i would advise you to call the hospital if you are concerned at all to put ur mind at rest  I am also not going to have the amneocentisis (or however u spel it lol) tests as i too wouldnt want to put the baby at risk when ive already been advised im so low risk, it would break my heart if anything happened.

Suzie - Wow 1 in 20,000 that is a very low risk, my results were only based on a blood test, however i havent been offered the nuchal fold scan. do u have to pay for this do u know??

Kat - Good luck with ur tests, would be lovely to hear from u when u get ur results

 Love Louise

x

Hi Louise,

Thanks for letting me know what to expect tomorrow.  I already am able to check the baby's heartbeat at home as I have one of the dopplers that they use that I bought.  It's fab.  I'm not really showing much but I've noticed it over the past few weeks.  I have my scan on the 5th of Feb so we will be finding out the sex pretty close together!!

Laura, you're only 14 weeks aren't you and they don't do the tests for downs etc until you are 16 weeks or over so don't panic.  Ring you midwife next week and get booked in for the week after so you can have these done.

Hope all are well.

Jo (16 + 4)

xxx

Hi Jo

 Wow, Where can u buy one of those dopplers from to check baby's heartbeat? I've only ever got to hear it the once and that was pretty amazing but it would be great to be able to keep a good check on it.

 Have u felt baby move atall yet? I felt him/her move for the first time last night about 5 times, it felt like a bubble of air, was such a nice feeling

 Laura - I'm not sure how far gone u r but all expected mums-to-be have to have blood tests at around 11/12 weeks to check for any infections etc but the blood test ive just had was optional to find out whether i have any risk of having a down syndrome baby but u do not have to have it, its up to u, it is just nice to know i guess.

Hope everyone is all well.

Louise (18+6)

Hi again Louise.

Had the bloods taken, results in two weeks.  Worried about it now.

I bought my doppler from a website called Ana Wiz.  They do next working day delivery and it's fab.  It's a Hi-Bebe one and is very very sensitive.  Each time I have used it, I pick it up really easily.  It was expensive though (£100.00) but you can get them cheaper on e-bay and other such sites but they just don't have the one I have on there.  I would definitely recommend buying it, even though it is so expensive.  Peace of mind is worth every penny!

Yes I think i felt baby move.  Like you said it's like a bubble going pop in your tummy.  I asked my midwife about it today and she asked me where I felt it and she said that it is probably the baby although it is quite early for me to feel it however it's not uncommon for women to feel it after 14 weeks.

Talk later.

xxx

Hi there,

Louise, we went private for the test and had it just in time. They don't test beyond 13 weeks 6 days as this is the best time to test the neck for signs of downs. It cost us £200 but my husband wanted the test cause he was worried cause it was our first baby. NHS midwife told us it was something we didn't need to get but it is a personal desicion. It's us that would have to live with the result. It was worth it for peace of mind. They took blood and my age and combined all these together to get the low risk.

I was feeling the baby at 14 weeks but didn't realise until the nuchal scan when I was watching the baby moving on the screen and felt the movement simultaneously. At about 20 weeks thats when movement gets more definite. By 40 weeks you can see legs kicking your tummy and its very funny. sx

Hi Louise,

Im only 12 weeks at the moment, but when I had my "booking in" appointment with my midwife, she asked both me and my husband if we wanted to have tests for downs syndrome, which we had previously discussed. We decided against having the test, because although this is our first baby, regardless of how healthy or unhealthy, downs or not we would love and care for it as much as possible. The midwife actually asked us how we would feel if we had a downs syndrome child, or spina bifida etc, the answer was always the same.

I can understand why people want to have the test done. But I work with adults with learning dissabilities and have done for the last 8 years, and those with downs syndrome are some of the nicest people I have ever met. It's just a shame their families don't think so! 

I can understand why some people want the tests. Some people just know that they aren't able to cope with being put in this situation.

I was on holiday once and there was a really friendly girl with DS. Her mother was in her late 60's. I saw then how even although the girl was 45 she still totally depended on her mother for everything and seemed to be very hyper. She started screaming hysterically when she was in the pool. Her mother was holding her and trying to calm her down. I can understand why people do get the test while other's don't.

Hi Ladies

 Thanks so much for all ur replys.

 I had my 20 + 5 scan yesterday and found out me and my fiance are expecting our first lil baby girl. Were over the moon

I could see all the babys organs quite clearly especially the little heartbeat. It was such a relief to find out shes developing fine and shes healthy and like all of u said i was also advised that the more active the better. I could even feel her moving as we were seeing her move around on the scan machine.

One thing the doctor did write in my notes which im not sure about is that the placenta is NOT low. I have no idea what this means as im a first time mum so if anyone knows would be great to find out.

Hope all ur pregnancys r goin well.

 Louise + 20.6 bump

Hi louise,

great to hear that you had an interesting scan!

Yeah, If the placenta is not low then that is good as it means it is unlikely that you will have placenta praevia. This occurs if the placenta is lying low, close to the cervix, so can provide problems further on in preg. Don't worry about it cause it seems you have everything going to plan. Brings back memories of when I went for my 21 week scan. sx