Maternal Serum Test

[nkenward]

Hi all,

Well I have reached the 18.5 week mark. Its so exciting. Anyway had my first OB appointment today and everything is how it should be - thank goodness.

However, OB was wondering whether I had any thought to the Maternal Serum Test - for Down Syndrome. I have till week 20 to have this test done.

I am not sure how important it is to go through with. I am 27 y.o and have no medical conditions. My husband is 30 y.o. and has 2 children from a previous marriage with no complications and he too is healthy.

Could anyone shed some light on whether they just had it done for routine sake? And how the results were received, and what were there next steps?

Thanks everyone.

[Pommy Mummy]

Hi
I think this is what I had at about 13 weeks. It is something that my GP sends all his pregnant patients to do. It involves a blood test and then an ultrasound and they fiddle around with the results and tell you your chances of having a downs baby as well as some other disorders. I'm 27 and due with my first in August and I think it was worth it as it helps put your mind at rest if you have any worries about having a downs baby. I think my results were like a 1 in 13,000 chance.
It did cost a bit I think I ended up being out of pocket about $80.
Hope that helps

[Moorish]

Hi there,

I'm 26 years old & 19 weeks with my 3rd baby (due 28/10/05). I also had this procedure done at 12/13 weeks when I had my first major scan.
It's as simple as taking measurements from the back of the baby's neck on the ultrasound and together with a blood test (which also does the routine tests like HIV, rubella etc) they give you an idea on the chances of having a downs syndrome bub.

I only had it done because I was having the scan anyway and also because I thought if I'm having the standard blood tests then one more vial of blood while they were there wasn't going to hurt. If it was a more invasive test I wouldn't have done it, because my husband and I both agreed that if it was downs anyway we still would have carried on with the pregnancy.

Doctors offer it because of the increasing choice that women have in this day and age to have abortions etc if their baby is found to be in a high downs catagory. But your doctor should have also mentioned that you are in a low risk catagory because of your age. From the age of 35, doctors start recommending it to especially first time mums as after this age the risk starts getting a little higher.

I guess the worst case would be that a test result would come back showing an increased chance of having a baby with some degree of downs and then your doctor would discuss with you all the options, eg, abortion, carrying on with the pregnancy etc. I guess this is sometimes good to know especially for families who may feel they would have trouble coping with situation or to help prepare parents if they do continue with the pregnancy.

Sorry I've dribbled on so much, I hope I've been sensitive for those who've been in this situation.
Good luck in your decision, I hope all goes well for the rest of your pregnancy
Anna

[Miaow]

I had the blood tests done at 11 &1/2 weeks - the doctor recommended it cause of my age (40) and the increased risk of downs - I think the GP that ordered it said you must have them between 11-13 weeks though i'm not sure there. Had my Ultrasound at 12 & 1/2 weeks - the guy doing the ultrasound explained/pointed out the measurement that they needed for the test. He did mention though all was perfectly normal for the age in measurements whcih was good:)

I haven't heard back since the test anything in regards to abnormal results so I'm taking that as all is ok... if there was a problem and further testing required (amniocentisis) im sure my OB or the GP that ordered the test would have said something after the ultrasound results were through (the ultrasound doc said only about a day or so after that they have the results in comparison to the blood tests).

[xkwzit]

Hi All
Just my humble opinion, but during both my pg, I wanted to know if there was any problem. I wanted to be able to prepare myself as much as possible to deal with raising a child with special needs if that was what was going to happen. The last thing I wanted was to discover at the birth that I had a Downs baby. But that's just me - I had to know the sex as well, no surprises on delivery day for me :D .

Cheers

[jes]

Hi Natalie,

Its prob best to get the blood test and the scan done even if you are young and healthy. My partner and i are only 23yo and we decided to get the tests done at 12wks just to be sure, Our risk for downs was really low but we discovered another problem while we were there. Our baby has GASTROSCHISIS which is a completely random amnormality(1 in 10000 chance!) Thankfully it can be fixed after the birth and should mean the baby will have a 'normal' life after with only a small scar. The only difference to my pregnancy is lots of scans and doctors visits(im 29wks and have had 6 scans, 7th next week) it could be worse!

Hope i havent scared you :eek: ! Its just best to get all non invasive tests done, its better knowing sooner rathere than later :)


Good luck with everything :D jess

[nkenward]

Thanks Jess and everyone else for their advice.

I will go and have this blood test, I suppose for peace of mind. Therefore, come 20 weeks I won't regret not having it done.

thanks again.