Detecting down syndrome in second trimester of pregnancy?
March 22, 2010 by Guest Author
Filed under Second Trimester Pregnancy
I took the second trimester screening for down syndrome. The screening came back positive and that my child has a higher risk of being born with down syndrome. I really want my baby, but the screening results make me nervous. I am 35 and after the screening my chances of having a baby with down syndrome is 1 in 121. Now they want to perform an amniocentesis. Any words of advice and encouragement would be appreaciated. I have faith, but I am only human with a million thoughts running through my mind.
if you want the baby have it sure everything would be fine maybe pray if your religious sounds like you have a good chance to have a healthy baby 1 in 121 is rare just let them do the tests and sure everything would work it self out congrats on the baby and good luck
Those tests are very, very inaccurate. Two of my friends had the test done. One got a positive and the other had a negative result. When the babies were finally born the friend with the positive had a healthy baby boy and the friend with the negative had a baby with down syndrome so the outcome was completely backwards according to the rest results. Amnio is very risky and if you find out that your baby does have down syndrome there is nothing you can do to change that so if you plan to keep your baby no matter what results you get you might want to re think the amnio. All it will do is stress you out more.
I’m currently 32 weeks along with a baby girl. At my last ultrasound I was told my baby has 2 small cysts on her brain and dilated kidneys which are 2 “soft markers” for downs syndrome. My doctor insisted I had the quad screening so I did. My results showed no sign of any abnormalities, thank God. They gave me the option of seeing a genetic counselor or having amnio, but I declined. I will love her no matter what.
I can understand your anxiety, and I know your life will be more challenging than with an average child, should your child turn out to have down syndrome, but I have known several people with down syndrome and they are the nicest, sweetest, most innocent people I have ever met. They are amazed at life’s simple things, and in a way you get to experience your child’s child hood for longer. And don’t forget, there are a lot more mainstream programs now for DS people. They can hold jobs and have lives away from their parents.
Don’t think of how horrible it could be, think about how amazing it can be!
If you want to have the baby no matter what you shouldn’t get the amniocentesis test. Your chances of having a child with downs syndrome are very low and there are so many false positives with that test. There are women who have gotten the test, lost the baby and found there were no defects at all. There are women who intend on aborting if the baby does have downs and do it, lose the baby and find there was nothing wrong. If I were you, I’d act like the test was positive and prepare yourself. There is such a slight chance it isn’t accurate, I don’t think the benifit would outweigh the risks. Good luck mom, I’m sure your baby will be just fine either way
well speaking from experience, my result was 1 in 71. chances were a lot higher than you. I researched about the screening test and guess what? it has been proven that the test is WRONG 85% of the time. I had the amino done, the risks of the amino is extremely rare, I believe it’s 3-5% chance of a miscarriage after the amino is done. the result of the amino came back and my baby is completely normal, growing wonderfully.
right now, i really think you have two choices, ignore the test, pretend it didn’t occur, or get the amino done.
Good Luck and remember if you are still worried about the amino test, talk to your doctor. they can give you more information on it.
You have more of a chance of losing a baby from amnio than having a child with DS.
Plus whats wrong with DS? People almost always regret termination, never regret having a special child. This beautiful person inside you was given to you for a reason, embrace and love that fact. Its sometimes hard cause you lose your idea of what you thought was gonna happen,a dream really, trust me, it will be the best thing you will ever do.
I have a son who has DS and is 18 months old, I promise, you will NEVER regret it.
Some people are born great, some have greatness thrust upon them. You have a chance to make something great of this,
All the best.
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