Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

One of the first things the Dr. brought up at my first visit on Monday was the testing available to me to rule out Downs Syndrome. I guess being 32 (33 when I deliver puts me close enough to that high risk catagory in his eyes).

Now while I would never change the course of the pregnancy either way, both DH & I would want to know if we can. (it is on both sides of my family.....)

He gave 3 options:

1.
An ultrascreen and something else non invasive between 11-13 weeks.....I am to say I can NOT for the life of me remember when he said.

2.
An ultrascreen alone.(can't remember when)

3.
An amnio at about 16 weeks


I am considering the first option because it is non invasive and if it looks like further tests are needed will reevaluate at that time.

Has anyone had this done & can you tell me what that test entails? The Dr. office is closed eraly & I am just wonderring before I call tomorrow.

Thanks!!!

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

We did the ultrasreen and the blood test. We were only considering the amnio if something came up. Everything looked good so we only did the ultrascreen. I was 32 with ds and will be delivering only days before my 34 b-day this time.

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

I just had the ultrascreen done. It's a sonogram and a blood test-very non-invasive. There's also the AFP-another blood test that screens for spina bifida and I think some other things that I forget right now. I had that done at 16 weeks. I think the other test you might be thinking of is CVS. I think they take a sample of your placenta through the cervix.
I'd probably just do the ultrascreen and then based on the results decide if I wanted further testing.

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

I think they offer the ultrascreen test to everyone. I'm 27 and they offered it to me. We decided to do it. It is just a sonogram and bloodtest. I would start with that test and then go from there.

good luck with whatever you decide. Remember that those tests are optional.

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

I am 36, had the ultrasrcreen test done on Monday, if something had come up on that, we would have went straight to the amnio, however everything came back normal... In fact my OB said my numbers came back as if I was a 20 year old...

Based on this info , we are opting not to do the amnio...

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

I had the ultrascreen--which is a blood test and ultrasound. This test gives you a calculated risk of downs & trisomy 18/13 (like a 1/however many risk). Its not a definite one way or another. I had an ultrascreen, ended up getting a not so great result and had an amnio and (thank goodness) everything was fine.
Im not sure what I will do if I ever get pregnant again, but I guess what I would think about is if they recommend further testing based on the ultrascreen results what you would want to do. I think all of this testing is such a personal decision, ultimately you should do what you feel is right! good luck and congrats!!!

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

I did the Ultrascreen and my risk was that of a woman 5 years younger than me (I'm 34, so 29) and the risk was like 1 in 10,000 or something like that for Downs and 1 in 30,000 for the other thing - whatever it was it was all around low. I'm going for my AFP next week. Pending that is also okay, I will forgo the amnio this go around. Next baby I'll be over 35 so it will be highly recommended.

Re: Question about ultrascreen and any other tests to do with Downs..........

Thanks girls!!

Ultrascreen


I found this & it helped explain it well for me!

I will start with this and go from there if needed.