Edward's syndrome

[Dillard1107]

I am 33 years old and 13.5 weeks pregnant with our first child. I received a call from the doctor the other day stating I have screened positive for Trisomy 18 or Edward's syndrome. I am suppose to be scheduled for further testing in the weeks to come. How many of you have been in this situation and how many were screened with a false positive? I am terrified at the moment, especially since Edward's syndrome is a death sentence for our baby.

[lindarazz83]

I know several women screened with a false positive and it was stressing during their pregnancy,  which is not good either.  Just pray and keep your faith strong, at the end of the day doctors are not gone. Needless to say they both had healthy children :-)

[Brizabella]

When I was 20 weeks pregnant with my first pregnancy,  they diagnosed positive for trisomy 18, I e was so sad and worried, until 7 month pregnant they told me that it was a mistake , that my baby was just fine ..omg !!!!

[Drcsue]

I had a positive Harmony test for an extra X chromosome. The test claims to be over 99% accurate. I did go ahead with an amio and that one says it there is no extra chromosome. Both tests are over 99% accurate but gave completely different results. My doctor said he has never seen this happen. I'm almost 21 weeks now, the a at will be tested after birth.

[DADAT47]

You are NOT a carrier for T18. Was it the sequential screen that gave you a positive risk. Most likely a false positive. One or more of your serum analytes were probably low or high "driving" your risk to positive. The pattern of your blood test put you in the positive T18 risk.  Just get the cell-free fetal DNA screen that was previously mentioned. Over 99% sensitivity and noninvasive to baby. And also get a detailed fetal anatomy survey. Over 90% of T18 babies will show something on ultrasound such as a heart defect and clenched fists. Normal DNA screen and normal ultrasound, I wouldn't worry.

[octobermommy12]

We also had soft markers for trisomsy 13,
12, and 18 at our 20 weeks u/s. We went to see a high risk Dr for 2 more ultrasounds and all they saw was a soft marker (calcium deposit on Thr heart) for Downs. My baby girl was born perfectly healthy last Saturday no trisomys. I understand your anxiety, it will all work out. Sending positive vibes your way

[Dillard1107]

Thank you all so much for your responses! It has helped to calm my nerves a bit.

[bsjolie]

Our baby had a soft tissue markers for trisomy 21 on our 20 week ultrasound. We completed a more specific genetic screening called NIPT(noninvasive prenatal testing). They draw moms blood and able to extract fetal DNA and directly analyze the DNA and give you results that are 99% accurate for trisomy 21, 18, & 13. (Just as accurate as an amniocentesis & less risky) . It is very expensive but my insursnce did approve coverage with a prior authorization. We ended up having a false positive on the ultrasound, our baby does not have trisomy21.

[mfayb]

I am hoping you have a false positive.  However my second cousin has a baby with that and she is now 2 years old. She has been lucky that she has this time with her.

[cecilia_morgan]

With the nuchal test a lot of people don't test positive only about 5% get false positives. I tested 1/10000. Which means nothing wrong but that didn't mean there is definitely something wrong with the baby. Edwards is very scary I couldn't imagine going through that :-( and how hard it must be. Must you do amnio or could they do the newer blood test they have that checks for certain things I hear it is 99% accurate. Not sure what its cashed though. Best of luck dear I do hope the test was wrong and that you have a beautiful healthy baby! :-)

[Shanz04]

We opted out of the quad screening due to the false positives. My Dr said the are upwards of 30% And that is to high and to scary.  Also I am completely against having an amniocentesis done so I wanted to make sure I wasn't put in a position where the dr was pushing it to just make sure. You can tell most abnormalities on an ultrasound.  I pray for you and your baby and that everything is ok!

[Jsyska]

A lot of books and articles I've read said false positives are pretty common

[CaseysMommy]

Just to ease your mind a bit, a lot of moms will test positive for many disorders and syndromes. Just because you test positive for it does not mean that your baby will definitely have it. It just means that you are a carrier of that gene that causes the disorder or syndrome. I was told that almost all mothers will test positive ehich is why I opted out of getting it so that I wouldn't add any unnecessary stress to myself, only to find out that my baby doesn't have any of those disorders. But I will keep you and your precious baby in my thoughts and prayers until you get the call from the doc. Good luck mom

[lieschenb]

My sister in law also wad told her baby had edwards syndrome markers with ultrasound. She had to go for an amniocentesis and had to wait an excrutiatinf 4 weeks. Amnio was nwgative. She delivered a healthy boy who only had a cleft lip and palate. Good luck

[peaches0329]

Anything is possible with GOD'S mercy n grace. My mom got prego at 48. My lol sister was born trisomy 18. They wanted my mom to terminate the pregnancy that totally goes against our beliefs. My mom had my lil sister she passed at 5months. She did alot of things the doctors said she wouldn't b able to do. Even in her short time being here. I pray all is well n doctors can being wrong.