Having a baby after 40-is an amnio or CVS essential?

**bgbgbb** · 18-01-2009 14:49

Hi

I'm posting in this thread as I feel you girls would be the best to advise me on this question.

I have 4 children and am turning 40 this year. I would love a 5th, but would like to wait a year and a half for both physical reasons and so I can have a baby without any demanding toddlers around. If we are lucky enough to conceive another, I would be close to 42 when it is born.

With all my other babies, I had the standard blood test/nuchal scan and came back with excellent results (at 38 the dr likened my results to that of an 18 yo)

But I am aware that being pregnant at 38 and at 41/42 are quite different.

Did you have further testing, or were you happy with the nuchal scan results, if they were very good?

It would be nice to know how to deal with this issue before I get pregnant and the preg hormones mes my emotions around.

Thanks so much

Kaz

**Mrs Potts** · 18-01-2009 16:14

I think all pre-natal testing is personal choice. I'm about to turn 38 and had a bub in October. My Ob just said to me I needed to pick a number for the nuchal scan, and if my results were below that then we could look at further testing.

In the end my results came back better than they did with DD1 so it was no issue.

Good luck with your decision when the time comes.

**KatiesMum** · 18-01-2009 16:47

great advice there. Pick a number before you get pregnant, and say if the risks come back higher than this (eg 1 in 4 or 1 in 100 or whatever you think appropriate) then you will do the amnio.

Depends on your feelings, and on what you think you might do if you know the results. If the amnio confirmed downs syndrome, what would you do?

Its hard .... you never know what fate has in store.

**Ys_Woman** · 18-01-2009 17:14

It's really up to you Kaz. I had a bub at 37, one at 38, and last one at 44 and I didn't have CVS or Amnio for any of them.
With my last bub the Nuchal/bloods came back as 1:188 (for age 44 the usual would be around 1:22) then the 18wk scan measurements were computed and found to be normal so they said it was like doubling the nuchal result. I thought that was good enough for me..and thankfully he was born just fine like his siblings.
Hugs to having to make the decision either way.

Amy

**Oblena** · 18-01-2009 17:32

Originally Posted by KatiesMum

Depends on your feelings, and on what you think you might do if you know the results. If the amnio confirmed downs syndrome, what would you do?

this question is very important. A lot of people get tests because of age etc and the 'expected routine', but if you had every expectation to keep the baby no matter what ( for eg) then invasive tests are probably not worthwhile.

Good luck with the decision, sounds like it's abig one

**Pax** · 18-01-2009 17:35

I never had any of the tests and I am 38. Only test if you are willing to know... i was happy with however the bub came to me.

**PunkyDiva** · 18-01-2009 17:51

I was 39 and birthed our 6th child. We just had a 20 week scan for basic check to ensure everything ok for planned homebirth. I would never abort because of a diagnosis from one of these tests and I didn't feel I would need time to prepare myself for disability etc before birth so wasn't necessary for me to find out. Of course if it was a hole in the heart or kidneys needing surgery immediately etc etc then this will show up in 18 - 20 week scan.

These tests can so often be wrong causing unecessary stress and the risks of infection & m/c with amnio much higher then previously reported.

I guess you need to ask yourself some hard questions to determine whether these tests are necessary for your peace of mind etc.

**bgbgbb** · 18-01-2009 18:19

Wow, thanks for all your wonderful responses!

Picking a number is definitely a very good idea.

DH & i are quite in agreement on what to do is the baby had an abnormality that would significantly reduce its (and our) quality of life. We would not continue with the pregnancy, as we already have 1 autistic son (albeit high functioning) & a daughter with sensory issues, and need to give them as much of our time as we can.

Knowing our luck we'd get twins! (DH is Irish, they're quite fertile).

Do you mind me asking, anyone who has had CVS or an amnio, is it uncomfortable?

Kaz

**Ys_Woman** · 19-01-2009 11:55

I can understand you being hesitant as it sounds like you have your hands fairly full at the moment. Unfortunately though Kaz there are no guarantees, as you know. Certainly they can test in early pregnancy for a few conditions but there are many others they can't test for like ADHD or autism that can require the same level of special attention as a child with Down's for eg. I know several families for whom autism has touched all of their children, be they high functioning or low..and my eldest, almost 22, struggles with ADHD daily and required much more guidance than the average child when she was younger.
I hope when the time comes all goes well for you and you have the very best outcome hon.
I think you're very sensible giving it consideration before the event.

Amy

**JEMGIRLS** · 24-01-2009 13:41

Hi
I decided to go for the amnio as I was high risk. I had just turned 44 when I had my DD. My husband and I made the decision so that we were at least prepared for the outcome. The ob specialist was fanastic and I felt very confident in his expertise whilst I was having the amnio. One thing I can say though, it is quite painful having it done and seeing it all on screen is a bit scary. Good luck with your decision.
Maria