I had my lab work last week for the Quad test, and the Nurse from my Dr's office called me today to tell me I tested positive for down syndrome. After losing it and talking to the nurse three times within an hour and making the appointment to see the specialist, I learned that the calculation gave me a percent chance of 1 out of 270. Has anyone ever heard of this before, or experienced a positive result?? The nurse assured me that the calculation for positive was double checked and was accurate. Im wondering what my odds really are at this point. I dont have a family history of Down Syndrome, nor does my husband. But like the nurse said, genes can start anywhere. If anyone knows of this test and/or people who have gone through this before, please respond!! I go to the specialist on Thursday. They said they would do more testing, an ultrasound and an amniocentisis. PLEASE RESPOND WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE. Thanks.
I know of a young mother who had the triple test (now it actually "tests" for four things) and hers came back positive. She worried and stressed, but when her child was born he was perfectly fine. I believe that way too mant times the Triple test returns a positive even when there is only the very slightest of chances that something is wrong.
I will pray for you and your sweet baby (number 2). God Bless.
Liz
I myself and my girlfriend were both positive for Down Syndrome. My doctor sent me to a specialist were they measure the baby as it grows thtough high tech songorams, They are a Fetal Specialist. I did not opt for the amnio. It would not have changed my descision to have her.
My girlfriends third child testes positive, she also went to the same specialist and her son was also fine.
The doctor said that there are alot of false positives but also false negatives.
It was not until I was about 30 weeks they concluded my baby did not have down syndrome.
Try not to drive yourself crazy until you it is confirmed with songorams and if you choose to the amnio.
Korin,
First of all, take a deep breath...you need to be calm for your baby. I am pregnant w/my first, due in Jan. The quad screen is just that...a screen. Just because the result came back "positive" does not mean that your baby definitely has Down's...just an increased probability of it. As the nurse told you, the baby has a 1 in 270 chance of having it. Further tests, like the amnio, will help the dr narrow down the chance that your baby has it. I have heard a lot of women who got a false positive to this test & go on to have perfectly healthy, normal babies. So, keep your chin up, & try to stay positive for your baby's sake! It's always scary to hear news like that at first, but just breath--it may not be as bad as it seems at first. Good luck!!
When I was pregnant with my son, who is now 4 months and handsome and healthy, I had to go to a perinatologist because of my high blood pressure before and during the pregnancy. Around 3 or 4 months in to the pregnancy, the doctor told us that the baby may have downs syndrome because of the measurements of his brain and kidneys. They continued the measurements each time we went in, and each time they were slightly larger than normal. He pushed us every time to have an amnio because of the concern of downs. We did not do the amnio because it would not have changed anything, he was our boy whether he had downs or not. I don't know what the percentage accuracy is with the amniocentisis, but you could ask the doctor when you have your ultrasound. The only sure way to know with most of the "screens" is to wait until the baby is born and be sure that the pediatrician knows your concerns so they can check as well. Good luck, and don't be afraid to ask the doctor as many questions as you have. My husband and I had to realize that the doctors want the moms to be as prepared as possible, which sometimes means being overly cautious with test results.
as others have said, I also tested positive for downs when I was pregnant with my first. I opted to have an amnio because I needed to know. My daughter was fine and I'm glad I chose the amnio for the peace of mind it gave me for the remainder of my pregnancy.
However, with my second pregnancy, I went straight for the amnio (which was negative) but my 2nd daughter was born with spina bifida.
So, do what is right for you and your situation, just know that false positives AND false negatives are possible with both the quad screen and the amnio.
I had this happen with both of my pregnancies. There is a lot of information on the internet about the Quad test. It does not have a true positive or negative result. It simply shows that your risk is slightly higher than other women at your age and gestation. This test is linked to the day of your gestation. If your doctor is off on your dates by even a slight amount, it can result in a "false positive." With both mine, I went to the fetal specialist and opted for the Amnio. I just needed to know so I could prepare. The Amnio actually takes a small amount of the baby's DNA that is floating in the amniotic fluid so it is extremely accurate (I think over 99%). Please don't let this result upset you. Even if your increased risk is accurate, you still have 269/270 chance that nothing is wrong!
Hi Korin! I know you must be stressed, but I have talked to several people who received false positives on this test. There is a good chance that everything will be fine. Although it will be very hard, I hope you can relax and enjoy the rest of your pregnancy.
Best of luck with everything,
Melissa
Just because you tested postive does not mean your baby will definitly have Down Syndrome. Really, I think it is a worthless test that just causes unneccessary stress. My sister-in-law had the same results and both of her kids are fine. I've heard several similar stories from other moms, and my midwives always advised against taking it. Really, what does it change? If your baby is born with Down Syndrome, will you love him any less? And if he isn't, you'll have spent all this time worrying over nothing. My advice is to just put it out of your head; easier said than done, I know. And remember that nothing will happen that you can't handle. Good luck!
HI - with my second daughter mine came back and they told me 1 in 20. Because of problems in my first pregnancy and the fact that I was 38 I went and had a level II Ultrasound and they measured all kinds of stuff (this was at 15 weeks) AFter the ultrasound my chances changed to 1 in 50. My doctor gave me good advice about the amnio. Unless your going to have an abortion if there is problem then don't have an amnio. His words "miscarriages are a possiblity and in my experience it's always a healthy baby" (since miscarriage is a possiblity) I was suppose to have a planned c-section at 37 weeks. The day before they did an amnio to check her lungs, and it put me into labor. At that point I was so relieved I didn't have one before because my body obviously couldn't handle it. Well, Sara was born by c-section, 4 hours later at 5# 14oz and she will be two on Nov 30th and she if fine.
HI - with my second daughter mine came back and they told me 1 in 20. Because of problems in my first pregnancy and the fact that I was 38 I went and had a level II Ultrasound and they measured all kinds of stuff (this was at 15 weeks) AFter the ultrasound my chances changed to 1 in 50. My doctor gave me good advice about the amnio. Unless your going to have an abortion if there is problem then don't have an amnio. His words "miscarriages are a possiblity and in my experience it's always a healthy baby" (since miscarriage is a possiblity) I was suppose to have a planned c-section at 37 weeks. The day before they did an amnio to check her lungs, and it put me into labor. At that point I was so relieved I didn't have one before because my body obviously couldn't handle it. Well, Sara was born by c-section, 4 hours later at 5# 14oz and she will be two on Nov 30th and she if fine.
Korin, I understand that instant fear. I've been there, done that, and wouldn't wish it on anyone. I have 6 friends I can think of who had positive initial tests as well. 5 were over the age of 35. One had a family history, including a sister with Down Syndrome. In the end, NONE of them had a child with Down Syndrome, and the ultrasounds and/or amnio confirmed that immediately so they didn't have to spend an entire pregnancy worried about it.
Downs happens, and if it happens for your family I can only wish you the best and believe that you are the kind of loving mom who will do everything in your power to be the best mom to both of your kids. But I also know it is VERY, VERY rare to have the initial positive test be an actual indication of Downs. I know no amount of comforting before hand will make you feel sane until you actually know for sure, but if you can compartmentalize the worry by telling yourself over and over the actual statistics, try that. It is very unlikely. And tell yourself that you are not going to ruin your wonderful pregnancy with that kind of worry. You only have 9 months to hold that beautiful baby inside... try not to be consumed with fear. I wish you the best of luck.
With my first pregnancy I also had the test and came back 1/84.... I cryed for many many days and could not get the thought out of my head- I felt I was hurting my baby due to all the stress and decided to go ahead w/ the amnio (which has a risk of miscarriage)----- My daughter was fine 100% and I could not believe that I had gotten myself so self involved that I actually had decided to do the amnio even though it had such a terrible risk to my little girl. I now have 3 healthy kids and w/ the 2nd and 3rd pregnancy I refused the testing, since I knew I was going to keep my babies no matter if there was anything wrong w/ them or not.
I wish you the best just know MANY of us have been in your shoes and know how you feel. Like the other moms said, try to relax for your baby and you are sure to make the best decision YOU need to make for the both of you.
I was more than 35 when I had my first boy; i have 2, 3 1/2 and 5 years old. i got results much worse than yours for both of them, got 2 amnios and i have 2 perfect boys.
I'm from Europe, and I can tell you that here they always make you feel that you are in the worse case scenario...
I move 10 years ago to florida and since then I had 2 suspicions of cancer 2 of down syndrome and after months and months of worries, stress, mother and sons are perfectly fine. Please, just take it easy.....
The other think I want to tell you is there is still that one chance...but what's really important is what you do with your life and how you care for the people in it...
I have a cousin with down syndrome and believe me her parents would not trade her for anything in the world. she is pure joy....Just you know, there's always a bright side. I wish you the best.
Korin, Please take this as only what i and a few of my close friends have went through....amniocentisis is a very risky / dangerous procedure! i would never do it because of the prior experience we had with my siter, she was 5 and 1/2 months when the Dr. decided to do one on her because they said this and she ended up finding everything was OK with her and her Daughter ...then 2 weeks later she went back to the Dr. and Never really thought to Stop and wait for movements. Well the Dr. which was her OB GYN decided to ask how many times a day do you feel baby kicking , moving etc... she said well now that you say that i really haven't noticed any movement lately.
took her into the ultrasound room and found no movement and heartbeat....NADA and then come to find out that the procedure she signed off on for them to do was so dangerous it ended the life of my soon to be niece!
they made her give birth to her which was a still birth and that is the hardest thing ever to do i think.
and just to mention that this is NOT The only case that i have heard this in. but when it is family it hits home harder and i tell everyone i know about it prior to the decision to do so. I strongly DO NOT reccommmend it!
mY GIRLFRIENDS Daughter In Law just gave birth in July, well they were telling her that her baby was down Syn. and i told her if the baby is born that way then we will deal with it then but do not do anything until, better have a baby alive with or without this than to have to deal with the loss of the child....well come to find out that when they did the ultrasound they look at the facial features and if the nose is really small as ( a pug dog's is)& BIG EYES they think it may be down syn. so all in all her daughter had really big cheeks, big eyes and small nose so they automatically think that she has down syn. WRONG...were they so WRONG!!!!
i am so glad she did not go through with that procedure because emily was born Perfect and beautiful as ever!
i did hear that they do not know how to detect or have the full understanding of what to look for and what process to do before even considering amniocentisis and for that reason alone...each time they proform one they are acting as if it is a experiment and learning process! which is totally WRONG in my book as a MOther, Sister,& Friend.
it kills me to see this or hear of this.
Well i hope you get more advice and please do some research on this prior to a decision to do so because it is VERY DANGEROUS and can KILL your Child that may very well be just Fine! hope all works out for you and your Family....will keep you in my prayers & thoughts hoping you made the right decision
YES! My best friend had this exact thing happen to her with her last pregnancy. Her Quad test came back positive, she and her husband freaked out, then they found out the chances were similar to yours, 1 in 200-something. When they did the ultrasound and amnio they found out the baby was FINE!!! As far as I know, it's a fairly common result to get a false positive on your Quad. They had a completely healthy baby boy in April. My advice is not to worry yourself silly over this, if you can possibly avoid it. I know she was very upset and worried, and it turned out to be over nothing. Good luck to you, and I hope this helps!
Korin,
I am so sorry for this news. My husband and I opted not to do the test for this reason: Even though the test comes back positive it could turn out that your baby comes out normal. In my unerstanding, the test looks for specific genes that are carriers of down syndrom and a lot of the time the test comes back positive and your baby comes out perfect.
I will say a prayer for you in hopes that it is not what you think.
Keep hope that you are one of the many that has a positive read with positive results (meaning no down).
Ever so sincerely,
Jaci
Hi Korin,
First, I am so sorry you are going through this right now. I know it is very scary! I went through the same thing with my daughter. I was a high risk pregnancy. Because of my age (I am pushing 40), I was at a higher rate to have a baby with DS. I had all the tests done and when the first round came back, had a 1 in 100 chance of having a baby with DS. I opted to have the amnio done because I wanted to know what we would be dealing with, with our daughter. The amnio does have a very small risk of miscarriage or infection, I believe 1%, but our doctor at USF/TGH had done many of the procedures and only had two patients that miscarried (in one something was very wrong with the baby and he knew right away when he saw the amniotic fluid). The amnio came back and everything was fine! For me, I would do the amnio again. It is the only test that will give you a positive answer. All the rest of the tests are truly just "screening" tools.
Good luck and hang in there!
Danielle
I'm sure the nurse told you this, but the quad test is only a screening measure NOT a diagnostic tool. The test very often turns up false positives. A friend of mine who has twin boys had the quad test and the results revealed that one of the boys was at increased risk for down syndrome. She delivered two healthy sons almost two years ago. The point is, the screeing test is just that. I know it must be extraordinarly difficult, but hang in there!!
Korin: My Quad test was positive also and came back with an extremely high chance for Downs in my baby also. I have a strong faith and I also did not have any history of this in my family nor does my husband. I "felt" very strongly that my child was fine. I did go for the extra ultra sounds, I mean who doesn't take every opportunity to see their miracle every chance they get. They can tell a lot by the ultra sounds alone. I DID NOT agree to the amnio however. Please do your homework on this before you let them do it. It is YOUR CHOICE to have that done or not. There are quite a few risks such as: miscarriage, drainage/leakage of amniotic fluid (later to cause HUGE problems for your baby) etc. They are actually sticking a needle in your sack where your baby is to withdraw fluid, this can cause tears and also there is a small risk of sticking your baby! The risks are too high and I refused that test. Do some research on this please. I also discovered that this particular test (the QUAD) has an EXTREMELY high error rate and in fact there is a push for it to no longer be used at all. Go with your gut instincts & heart is all I can say and please do a little research on your own. My daughter is now 11 months old, she is beautiful and very intelligent. I hope my experience helps you.