Pregnant in my 40s!!! Testing?

[Anonymous]

Just had a positive home pregnancy test. Trying to recover from the shock.

If this pregnancy progresses without miscarriage... what prenatal testing do you recommend I do? I had my first baby a long time ago, with minimal medical support.
As much as I'd love to welcome a healthy child, I don't have it in me at this point in my life to raise a child with a serious genetic disorder or other medical condition, and would like to have any tests done as soon as possible, to keep my options open.

Could you please give me an update as to which tests are done when?

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

I can't even get my head around the fact that if this is a viable, healthy pregnancy, my son will head off to college a few months BEFORE this baby is born.

[Anonymous]

Virtual hug. I'm in the same boat. Planning on getting all the testing possible as soon as possible. I'll ask my OB when I see her.

[Anonymous]

Congratulations!!

[Anonymous]

we did cvs testing for my second 2 (41 and 43)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:we did cvs testing for my second 2 (41 and 43)

Can you tell us more about it? I'm PP and 43.

[Anonymous]

Get scheduled with an MFM office that has a genetic counselor during 1st trimester. The genetic counselor will be able to explain all of the genetic testing options that you have available to you now.
There is a screening test called NIPT that is a simple blood draw that can be done around 10 weeks or later. It can measure DNA from the placenta that circulates in your blood stream. It can detect Downs with high reliability, and also tests for a couple of other chromosomal aneuploidies. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/nipt/

CVS testing is considered an invasive diagnostic test. It comes with a slight risk of miscarriage, and if you have one, you want an MFM to do it. It's done by passing a needle through your abdomen or cervix to aspirate cells from the placenta for chromosomal analysis. I had a CVS in a prior pregnancy after the NIPT results were positive for trisomy 21. The CVS confirmed the NIPT.

[Anonymous]

I’m 41 with a surprise pregnancy. I had genetic testing done at 10 weeks to look for trisomies. I had to see MFM instead of my regular Ob for my nuchal translucency ultrasound at 13 weeks to evaluate for spina bifida etc. I don’t think there are any more tests to look for genetic defects that I have to do, although something could always pop up on the 20 week anatomy scan. There are additional blood tests you can pay for, but my MFM doc didn’t think I needed to do anything else.

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Good answers here. I am 15 weeks and did cell free DNA at 10werls and scan at 13 week. Best luck

[Anonymous]

Blessings and enjoy! My relative is almost to her due date at 43 and we are all thrilled!

[Anonymous]

I had all available genetic testing done at 10 weeks during both my pregnancies (one at 39-40 and one at 41-42). I believe the test was called Materni-T or something similar to that.

Congratulations and best wishes!

[Anonymous]

FYI - NIPT and cell free DNA are the same test. Materni-T is one of the several versions available.

[Anonymous]

Just had a beautiful healthy baby at 42. She’s almost walking at 9 months and is just a light. My older kids are so happy.

[Anonymous]

My second DD was a surprise pregnancy when I was 41. Prenatal care and delivery were handled by CNMs (I had seen them for my previous pregnancy/delivery at 37), and based on my age they referred me to an MFM for additional monitoring, which consisted of a few extra ultrasounds during 3rd trimester. I had NIPT testing (Materniti21) at 10 weeks and NT scan at 13 weeks. I chose not to pursue CVS or amnio. No issues with pregnancy or delivery, and younger DD is perfectly healthy so far (shes nearly 3yo)..
I did elect to be induced at 39 weeks, per the recommendation of MFM and CNMs not to go past 40 weeks. Compared to my first delivery (also an induction), the 2nd one was a breeze!

[Anonymous]

I am on your same boat. in my 40’s, 12 weeks pregnant and still in shock. This is not my first pregnancy, my youngest is 3 years old. I”ll be having the free Cell and 13 week scan next week.