The MSE Pregnancy Club

Js_Other_Half

minskerella wrote: »

Hi, I am 10 + 1 and new to all this. I am being offered a blood test to test for Down's Syndrome where apparently 1 in 20 women are considered high risk. If you are high risk you can have an amnio where you have a 1 in 100 chance of miscarriage yet ony 1 in 250 of Downs. What has everybody else done? I would be grateful of some advice as it all sounds like it could be v stressful! 1 in 20 sounds like it is a very high chance you might need further tests, yet the second test sounds very scary. I am only 27. Thanks!

If you are prepared to pay, you can have a nuchal fold scan along with some blood work which will give you the risk of a down's child. You can then opt for the more invasive procedures if that's what you want.

I had my nuchal fold scan in Leeds. This link tells you what you need to know about the scan- but be aware you have to have it between 11 weeks and 13 weeks + 6 days...
http://www.leedsscreeningcentre.co.uk/first_trimester.htm

hth

Claire_Jones_3

I was indecisive about the blood test as well, I'm only 23 but decided to have it done. I thought once you are past 18weeks you can't have it, so thought I would have it and then think about the results as and when they came back. However the hospital lost my first set and called me at work to go back for more, I don't think I've ever gone so pale so quick!! I thought the results had come back high risk and paniced before I'd even spoke to them!!

The midwife was worried I'd get really annoyed and shout at her for losing the blood and my reply was oh well it happens, I'll just do another one. It is something very personal and only you can decide what to do or whether you want to know. We decided once the results come back then we'd decide to take it further/terminate etc (although I don't think I could now!)

Stupid question for you all: When do you start to feel the baby? I'll be 19weeks on Monday and not felt a thing. I know I'm (hopefully) working myself up over nothing but is everything still ok in there? Also what effect does high blood pressure have? Midwife told me its high (1st time was 120/70 at 8weeks, then 130/90 at 16weeks and then 138/90 at 18 weeks). IS this something to worry about?

thanks
Claire

Dormouse

Claire_Jones wrote: »

Stupid question for you all: When do you start to feel the baby? I'll be 19weeks on Monday and not felt a thing. I know I'm (hopefully) working myself up over nothing but is everything still ok in there? Also what effect does high blood pressure have? Midwife told me its high (1st time was 120/70 at 8weeks, then 130/90 at 16weeks and then 138/90 at 18 weeks). IS this something to worry about?

It's not a stupid question . I think the average for first-time mums is about 20 weeks, so don't worry about it. You're probably feeling the kicks now, but just don't realise that's what they are. Give it another couple of weeks, it'll be fine.

Not sure what the definition of high blood pressure is actually... Mine's usually around the 130/75 mark and the MW has never said anything about it.

Dormouse

And a quick update from me: erm, there is no update. :mad:

Still no results from the slapped cheek test as nobody's sure what's going on. :rolleyes: They've either taken the wrong test, or they're not sure what they're testing for, or they're just generally faffing about. Just fills you with trust in the NHS... :rolleyes:

izoomzoom

Claire_Jones wrote: »

Stupid question for you all: When do you start to feel the baby? I'll be 19weeks on Monday and not felt a thing. I know I'm (hopefully) working myself up over nothing but is everything still ok in there? Also what effect does high blood pressure have? Midwife told me its high (1st time was 120/70 at 8weeks, then 130/90 at 16weeks and then 138/90 at 18 weeks). IS this something to worry about?

thanks
Claire

I assume this is your first. You probably won't feel baby for another week or two (21-22 weeks). When you do feel baby, you will be amazed, and will probably realise that you had already been feeling it for a couple of days, but just hadn't realised.

Regarding BP, yours seems to be creeping up. I assume you are being monitored more closely. Best to speak to your MW as it can have dangerous complications for you and your baby.

Claire_Jones_3

my post screams first time mum doesn't it!

I know I'm being paranoid just can't seem to help it, probably partly due to MC last yr. Don't think MW is monitoring me too closely at the moment but will keep an eye on my BP, make sure it doesn't get worse! Already had one water infection so monitoring that too!

After all this I'm still enjoying the thought of baby growing in my belly, even though I already can't see my feet!! (bump and chest rapidly expanding)

thanks for your replies

izoomzoom

Dormouse wrote: »

And a quick update from me: erm, there is no update. :mad:

:

I would be stressing out. You sound so calm !

jo_b_2

Justie wrote: »

we had the blood tests as it's noninvasive and the chances are that it'll be low risk (it was) but I wouldn't have had an amnio as I know someone who miscarried as a result of one. We wouldn't abort anyway but we'd want to know was our reasoning.

I felt the same. I'd rather have the knowledge beforehand so that we could prepare emotionally, to some extent, before the birth.

Dormouse

izoomzoom wrote: »

I would be stressing out. You sound so calm !

Believe me, I'm not calm. :mad: I've been so stressed out for days now, I'm tired of being stressed! :rolleyes:

Becles

Claire_Jones wrote: »

Also what effect does high blood pressure have? Midwife told me its high (1st time was 120/70 at 8weeks, then 130/90 at 16weeks and then 138/90 at 18 weeks). IS this something to worry about?

I don't think that is exceptionally high. They will measure it at each visit, and advise if it gets too high.

I'm the other way with low blood pressure. I'm 30 weeks and it was measured at 110/60 today. I go all light headed when I'm leaning over to tie my shoelaces