Down Syndrome - Happy Valley,OR

I agree, talk with your doctor. My daughter was born when I was 36... her neck measured outside of the normal width early on too. Later blood tests (never had an amnio) showed very low odds of Downs. She was born without downs. I remember being FREAKED out by all the tests they wanted me to take since I was (over 35!!!).... I/we decided we would love and raise the baby no matter what... so the tests really didn't matter (therefore I stopped them and didn't have an amnio). I know it's hard not to worry and you want it all to be perfect, but try not to get too upset. Enjoy your pregnancy, it's a magical time : )

This was probably a nuchal-translucency scan. The scans are a screening test (not diagnostic, just increasing or decreasing your odds), so the results are NOT definitive.
However, this scan identifies 70% of the babies tested who have a physical abnormality like Downs syndrome (or a few other conditions). The false positive rate is only 5%. (5% of the kids who have an abnormal screen actually are born physically normal.)
The results of this test are not a hard and fast line - it isn't like finding a gene that is or is not present. The thickness is measured, and measurements below a standard cut off are 'normal', while measurements above a standard cut off are 'abnormal'. If your measurement was close to the cutoff it is probably less of a concern than if it was significantly larger than normal. This type of information should be available with a consultation with a specialist.

If you have had an abnormal screen, i urge you to have a consultation with a genetic counselor or specialist who can further identify the odds for you, including exactly why your screen was abnormal.

Babies are growing inside us at such a rapid amazing rate ultra sounds are just a snap shot in the midst of an entire little being growing and taking shape. I think its a bit unreasonable to think at any given second taking a photograph of this process and measuring everything at ONE given morment is not always going to be perfect. My first child also had an abnormal neck measurement and it totally freaked me out that they thought it was important enough to meantion it to me that its a sign of Downs. Yikes! I just thought to myself why do an amnio? Regardless I decided not to worry because I was going to love my child and however they came out was just the way they were intended to be. And guess what? He was 100% healthy with no issues. With my 2nd there was an entirely different thing that was "abnormal" which was yet another ONE of the MANY signs of Downs and had gone/back to "normal" the next ultra sound. *sigh* As if we mothers don't have enough to worry about! Try not to worry too much, I know thats hard, but unless you have a family history or other reasons that this could be the outcome and even if you do, relax and enjoy your pregnancy. Doctors have to tell you all these things which is a blessing and a curse. I was born with a cleft lip and palette (which isn't even a genetic disorder) and was sent to a genetics councelor for it. I felt like it was a little rediculous because its not life threatening however I learned a lot of good information about genes and it gave me another chance to "see" my baby on a better ultra sound machine. If your truly worried about it you can do this, but make sure its covered by your insurance bc I think its spendy.

I suggesting speaking with your doctor and a genetics counselor.

The Doctor should have explained this or the "Genetic Counselor."

What does the DR say?

I don't know the answer to this question. Just wanted to point out that it is "Downs" Syndrome. Not "Down:. I know someone who gets offended by the people who refer to her daughter as having down syndrome. Not sure why. Must be a personal feeling.