High risk results back

Rach97 · 12-20-2007, 03:23 PM

Hi everyone. This is my first time doing the nuchal, high risk testing for downs. It's confusing. I was 34 with my first pg. So none of this testing was as worrisome. Now I'm 36 and will be 37 when our baby arrives.

Based on age alone (before high risk screening), the risk for downs was considered 1 out of 187. Other less common downs (trisomy 13 & 18) carried a risk of 1 in 349.

My OB stated that the test is heavily weighted on the u\s nuchal evaluation. I don't understand why my numbers jump (in a good way) from the age based averages to new, better probabilities. It seems to extreme.

After the blood and u\s screening, my probabilities changed to the following. Downs is considered 1 out of 2571. Trisomy 13 & 18 are 1 out of 6961. Why are these numbers so much higher and better? It seems like we're apples to oranges.

A nurse told me that my results were comparable to that of a twenty year old pregnant woman. So my OB will likely not suggest an amnio which carries a 1 in 600 risk for miscarriage (no longer 1 in 200). We can still elect to have the amnio if desired.

Any insight or reassurance would be great to receive.

Thanks!

shef · 12-20-2007, 03:44 PM

Your results sound amazing!
I don't know what to suggest about doing an amnio, my husband and I are facing the same question. We have decided to just do the nuchal like you and base our decision on that. The statistics for a 36/37 year old woman are based on generalities; the health of YOUR eggs, embryo/fetus might indicate something different. The difference in your results sounds like it means that with THIS pregnancy your results came out statistically more like a twenty year old. That sounds pretty great to me. Part of our reluctance to do an amnio or cvs is that it took us years and multiple m/c to get here.
Best of luck!
shef

Rach97 · 12-21-2007, 01:50 PM

I don't really know anything about my results. This is the reason why a nurse tried to explain that my results were comparable to a 20yo pregnancy. It just seems so crazy. Why bother giving me age related statistics or probabilities if this new testing is so much more comprehensive?! We still need to review with our OB, but I guess these numbers will be good enough not to consider amnio. An amnio is a personal choice, but I'm a bit lost in considering it. So far I'm relying on a nurse's feedback and will put my faith in my OB. Not to mention gaining support from this FT BB. Thank you.

crissiej · 12-22-2007, 10:33 AM

They jump in a good way because if the nuchal scan is outside a certain range it is a soft marker for those chromosomal abnormalities. So your scan must have been very good. If your blood work is spot on and the range is aok for the gestation period, your rates get better. I had the exact same thing happen to me and we did not do an amino since our chances of downs was so much smaller than miscarriage d/t the amnio. My ob did not suggest an amnio due to the results. It looks like everything is AOK

We also did not do the quad screening.

**BC-GoMom** · 12-26-2007, 08:43 AM

Your results sound great! WTG!

smiley · 12-26-2007, 01:57 PM

You must have had a perfect nuchal fold/high level u/s result!!! I did all these tests at age 40 w/#1...only my Peri advised me not to bother with the initial blood tests because with my age factored in my results wouldn't be good. Better to go w/the nuchal fold and decide if further testing is needed from those results...and like you, my nuchal tests were great and no futher testing was recommended!

CONGRATS!! I know that has got to feel great!!!!
smiley

**BC-GoMom** · 01-07-2008, 09:49 PM

Will you be finding out the sex?

Rach97 · 01-08-2008, 01:13 PM

Well, I still haven't had the chance to speak with my OB about my test results done back around 14wks. Supposedly they'd call if something wasn't right. It would just be nice to have feedback (including positive reassurance).

Today (17wks) we were told that there's a 95% chance of us having a girl. I'm so excited and cautiously optimistic at the same time. We really want a girl. So hopefully the u\s tech is right on track. A doctor looked quick and thought it could be a girl too. We'll double check again in a few weeks.

My OB still wasn't available today after the level II examine. One of the participating partners was suppose to see me. We waited an hour before being told that I'd be the next patient. Then another name was called before me which was upsetting. This OB\partner may have been taking her own patients first. So we left without seeing anyone--annoyed.

I watched "Knocked Up" the other day. It was a rather funny movie. The part about picking the right OB was a riot. You never know what to expect from other doctors in a practice. I'd like to inquire about our practice. It would really stink to end up with an impatient OB that is pro-episiotomy or something like that.

Thanks for your support!

12-20-2007, 03:23 PM	#1 (permalink)
Rach97 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 362	High risk results back Hi everyone. This is my first time doing the nuchal, high risk testing for downs. It's confusing. I was 34 with my first pg. So none of this testing was as worrisome. Now I'm 36 and will be 37 when our baby arrives. Based on age alone (before high risk screening), the risk for downs was considered 1 out of 187. Other less common downs (trisomy 13 & 18) carried a risk of 1 in 349. My OB stated that the test is heavily weighted on the u\s nuchal evaluation. I don't understand why my numbers jump (in a good way) from the age based averages to new, better probabilities. It seems to extreme. After the blood and u\s screening, my probabilities changed to the following. Downs is considered 1 out of 2571. Trisomy 13 & 18 are 1 out of 6961. Why are these numbers so much higher and better? It seems like we're apples to oranges. A nurse told me that my results were comparable to that of a twenty year old pregnant woman. So my OB will likely not suggest an amnio which carries a 1 in 600 risk for miscarriage (no longer 1 in 200). We can still elect to have the amnio if desired. Any insight or reassurance would be great to receive. Thanks!

12-26-2007, 08:43 AM	#5 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	Your results sound great! WTG! __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

12-26-2007, 01:57 PM	#6 (permalink)
smiley 1000-4999 post queen of hearts Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: West Coast FL Posts: 4,354	You must have had a perfect nuchal fold/high level u/s result!!! I did all these tests at age 40 w/#1...only my Peri advised me not to bother with the initial blood tests because with my age factored in my results wouldn't be good. Better to go w/the nuchal fold and decide if further testing is needed from those results...and like you, my nuchal tests were great and no futher testing was recommended! CONGRATS!! I know that has got to feel great!!!! smiley __________________ dh & I married 9/88, over 20 years!! after 10 yrs ttc/8 ds S b 1/9/02, ds T b 9/17/03 *Nurture creativity as well as the knowledge needed to make it great. Keep the arts in school.*

01-07-2008, 09:49 PM	#7 (permalink)
BC-GoMom BC:Preg+35/Gaming/Webkinz Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Down South Posts: 4,917	Will you be finding out the sex? __________________ Mom of 6: DS - 10 yrs (IVF) DD - 8.5 yrs (IVF) DD - 7 yrs (Natural Surprise) DD/DS twins b/d 12/9/97 @22.5wks IC/PROM/GBS DS- 18.8 years -died Easter Sunday 2005 multiple disabilities since birth Mommy loves you all!

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12-20-2007, 03:44 PM	#2 (permalink)
shef Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 228	Your results sound amazing! I don't know what to suggest about doing an amnio, my husband and I are facing the same question. We have decided to just do the nuchal like you and base our decision on that. The statistics for a 36/37 year old woman are based on generalities; the health of YOUR eggs, embryo/fetus might indicate something different. The difference in your results sounds like it means that with THIS pregnancy your results came out statistically more like a twenty year old. That sounds pretty great to me. Part of our reluctance to do an amnio or cvs is that it took us years and multiple m/c to get here. Best of luck! shef

12-21-2007, 01:50 PM	#3 (permalink)
Rach97 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 362	I don't really know anything about my results. This is the reason why a nurse tried to explain that my results were comparable to a 20yo pregnancy. It just seems so crazy. Why bother giving me age related statistics or probabilities if this new testing is so much more comprehensive?! We still need to review with our OB, but I guess these numbers will be good enough not to consider amnio. An amnio is a personal choice, but I'm a bit lost in considering it. So far I'm relying on a nurse's feedback and will put my faith in my OB. Not to mention gaining support from this FT BB. Thank you.

12-22-2007, 10:33 AM	#4 (permalink)
crissiej 200-299 post 4 of hearts Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 240	They jump in a good way because if the nuchal scan is outside a certain range it is a soft marker for those chromosomal abnormalities. So your scan must have been very good. If your blood work is spot on and the range is aok for the gestation period, your rates get better. I had the exact same thing happen to me and we did not do an amino since our chances of downs was so much smaller than miscarriage d/t the amnio. My ob did not suggest an amnio due to the results. It looks like everything is AOK We also did not do the quad screening.

01-08-2008, 01:13 PM	#8 (permalink)
Rach97 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 362	Well, I still haven't had the chance to speak with my OB about my test results done back around 14wks. Supposedly they'd call if something wasn't right. It would just be nice to have feedback (including positive reassurance). Today (17wks) we were told that there's a 95% chance of us having a girl. I'm so excited and cautiously optimistic at the same time. We really want a girl. So hopefully the u\s tech is right on track. A doctor looked quick and thought it could be a girl too. We'll double check again in a few weeks. My OB still wasn't available today after the level II examine. One of the participating partners was suppose to see me. We waited an hour before being told that I'd be the next patient. Then another name was called before me which was upsetting. This OB\partner may have been taking her own patients first. So we left without seeing anyone--annoyed. I watched "Knocked Up" the other day. It was a rather funny movie. The part about picking the right OB was a riot. You never know what to expect from other doctors in a practice. I'd like to inquire about our practice. It would really stink to end up with an impatient OB that is pro-episiotomy or something like that. Thanks for your support!