38 and wondering what to expect

[_GG_]

Hi guys,

Very early days for me, but having already been told I'll be classed as a geriatric mum at this age, I'm wondering what the standard procedures are for scans and testing for things like Down Syndrome.

Honestly, a baby is what matters, if it has Down Syndrome, we'll deal with it but I'm curious about tests and timescales.

Thanks in advance. X

 

[gesic]

They will keep a much closer eye on you and yes more scans which is a plus.
I was going to go for harmony testing but didn't in the end as the routine test came back with a 1 in 191 chance of downs and the other two were even better results so was happy to do without, I am 44, she was my first and she is absolutely fine. I did spend the whole pregnancy fretting though, wish I hadn't now with hindsight

 

[Wednesday]

No experience myself but my mum had me at 40. she was offered an amniocentesis as standard given the risk with age but I don't think the scans/blood tests were that advanced back then for early detection without the intrusive tests x

 

[_GG_]

They will keep a much closer eye on you and yes more scans which is a plus.
I was going to go for harmony testing but didn't in the end as the routine test came back with a 1 in 191 chance of downs and the other two were even better results so was happy to do without, I am 44, she was my first and she is absolutely fine. I did spend the whole pregnancy fretting though, wish I hadn't now with hindsight

Thank you for that i am by nature, a very laid back person...learned that life is going to throw stuff so might at as well catch it all and just deal with it.

I'm just full of curiosity. Had my entire cervix burned away after CIN3 smear results in 2013 so probably won't go full term. Broke pelvis once which didn't heal in the right place and I am just like my mum who needed two C sections. I kind of want them to just say I'll be booked in for a C section at 36 weeks and have it all decided early, lol.

 

[Hoping for no2]

I'm nearly 38 so in the same boat. You'll be offered the usual screening tests that everyone gets for chromosome abnormalities and will get a risk factor based on nuchal fold, blood tests and age. If your risk factor is 1:150 or less, you'll be offered further testing. The midwife just said I'd get the 12 and 20 week scan, no mention of extra scans or any other tests due to my age xx

 

[_GG_]

I'm nearly 38 so in the same boat. You'll be offered the usual screening tests that everyone gets for chromosome abnormalities and will get a risk factor based on nuchal fold, blood tests and age. If your risk factor is 1:150 or less, you'll be offered further testing. The midwife just said I'd get the 12 and 20 week scan, no mention of extra scans or any other tests due to my age xx

Thank you. I'll find out soon I hope. Had mc at 14 weeks many years ago and know I can't carry to term so prob be classed high risk anyway. Xx

 

[Skyeway]

When you go for your 8 week booking in appointmemt with your midwife you will be given a folder and one of the papers in it has a flowchart of all your appointments that you will be offered. I don't know much about tests etc except that amniocentesis has a miscarriage risk of 1 in 100, which sounds low but really isn't. I think this as I have HG in my first pregnancy at the moment which I only had a 1 in 100 chance of getting. Congratulations on the pregnancy by the way xo

 

[Baby Pickle]

I'm 38 too and was reassured by my midwife it isn't really that old in today's day and age! I think the geriatric name was something that originated in the 80s for pregnant women over 30 obviously times have changed so you may escape the branding!

You don't get any extra scans, checks etc providing everything is okay, the same as any other pregnancy! I have paid for the Harmony test as I had a high likelihood for downs with my daughter six years ago and had an amnio, I didn't want to go through that again.

Lots of best wishes for a happy and healthy pregnancy x

 

[Browneyed Girl]

I've just had a baby at 39 and never once was my age mentioned - unless you're over 40 you are treated no differently so you will have the same standard scans and care as anyone else (unless there are any other risk factors). The term geriatric has never been used in either of my pregnancies either and I was over 35 for both, I don't think this is used any more x