Is there a way to assess risk of Downs PRIOR to getting pregnant?

I am pretty sure it is just age, I don’t think it is hereditary. You can get tested during pregnancy, but those aren’t always accurate either. I don’t think it is fraternal age, I think it is only maternal.

Too bad that there isn’t some sort of test or assessment that can give an idea as to risk levels prior to conception…I thought I heard that within 2 years or so that there WOULD be such a test, anyone else hear that? Not sure how that would work though…

Age, and prior history can predict Down’s syndrome. There are also cases of trisomy 21 (Down’s) that are hereditary, though this is rare. These are called translocation Down’s syndrome, and in that case either the mother or the father can transmit the faulty (extra) copy of chromosome 21.

I’m a doctor, and I haven’t heard of any tests short of testing embryos produced during in vitro fertilization that would predict the risk of Down’s syndrome prior to pregnancy, since the passing of an extra copy of chromosome 21 appears to be a random event in either the sperm or egg.

I hadn’t ever heard of Translocation Down’s syndrome, thanks for that information. There are no cases of Downs on my side of the family that I know of but my husband’s father was adopted and we don’t know what his history entails.

So there really isn’t much a person can do but hope for the best, I guess. I’m 35 and not ready yet to have kids but have moved up on the scale of readiness recently. I think within a few years…but then the risks will be even higher…It just worries me.

There are tests you can do a lot earlier these days during a pregnancy, like the nuchal translucency exam (NT) at 11–14 weeks +/- a more invasive evaluation like an amniocentesis or chorionic villous (CV) sampling to tell you if you are carrying a fetus with Down’s. The NT exam is non-invasive and predicts risk, while the amnio and CV exam are invasive and give definitive genetic information.

If you are super concerned, and have the resources to do it, then you can opt to do IVF when you are ready as they test the embryos for that prior to implantation.

I know about the invasive evals like amnio but at that point it’s too late. I’m trying to find a more proactive approach (and in my opinion responsible) to the situation and find out my risk level before even conceiving. But, alas, it is not possible.

Althoug I do not have the resources to do IVF in the US, I wonder if that is an option thats more financial feasible in other countries?

I just had a daughter who was born a year ago with a multitude of medical problems. She has already had 5 surgeries and still has two more to come. I was 31 when I got pregnant and did everything right…I didn’t even take any aspirin or tylenol if I had a headache because I didn’t want the baby to have it. Well, after she was born I kept asking myself, what did I do wrong…and then I finally came to terms with it that I didn’t do anything wrong, this is how she was created. And it is a challenge, but she’s worth every minute of it. She was tested for 4 different genetic things, including Downs, and she didn’t have any…she just has this list of things that needed medical attention. I remember during the pregnancy thinking, what if my child is born with problems, and realizing that it didn’t matter, I would still love her and take of her regardless. I know that it doesn’t help in answering your question, and I like that you are looking at risk levels prior to becoming pregnant…because my daughter is a lot of work, but at some point you just have to say, yes, I’m willing to go forward with that risk or no, I’m not. Which, I think you are probably close to that point, but I want you to know that if you do have a baby with complications, it’s almost as if you are given more love for them because they need more help and then they end up blessing you in ways you never thought they would.

I also think that most pregnancies end up normal and that all mothers go through the same worrying that you are thinking about…it is very natural and normal.

Miasmom, thanks for sharing your story, it drives home the fact that this will be a powerful experience no matter what and some facets of it will be completely out of my hands so I should just do my best, at the right time for myself…and see what happens.
I hope I respond to whatever situation I end up in with as much grace as you. Cheers to your persevering positive attitude!

akmcg, I think you will be a great mom at the right time! Some people say to me that they couldn’t do what I am doing, but I tell them that if it happened to them they could…you just do when it is your child.

I wish you the best, parenting has been the hardest thing I have ever done, but definitely the most rewarding. :)

No matter what happens you will love your baby unconditionally. If you are blessed with a child with special needs you will have many learning opportunities and be a better person for it. Good luck!