Hi Shelley,

The best way to get an answer would be to do an amniocentesis. Otherwise we'd be guessing. To reduce the chances of something going wrong with the amnio, we highly recommend that it be performed by a perinatalogist. This is a high risk OB who has A LOT of experience. This is what I did for both my sons. The pregnancy was fine and they are fine and I had peace of mind.

Warmest regards,

Hi! We have two adopted little ones with DS. Unless it is an amnio (the blood test you are refering to) there is no way to definetly tell till the child makes it great entry into the world. Soft markers on an ultrasound are very common, I am assuming the blood test is the AFP triple screen- but it is way late for it to be htat if the baby is due in Jan.

There are people waiting to adopt children with down syndrome (we were suppossed to get another one and they decided to parent (yeah for them- bad for us and Colin was really upset) but we are being presented to another one, they had over 50 profiles get faxed to this family's social worker- so if this situation isn't for you if they have ds, make sure you don't feel bad an know there are a ton of families waiting for that little one

Oh0 Melea's bm did have an amnio and it showed no ds However Melea did have it- some one somewhere did screw up- but she had no soft markers and no problems typically assox=ciated except being chromosomally enhanced!!!!

The lady I spoke of above had an amnio because of her age and they were told no downs yet their daughter was born with it.

FYI- there are three types of DS. (and most chromosomal abnormalities)

1st is regular- present from conception either the egg or sperm had an extra chromosome (about 95-96% cases - this is not genetic and usually not an inheritied trait.

2nd Translocation- a part of the chromosome breaks of in first cell divisions and attaches to other of the pair and is replicated through out the entire cells (about 4%) This is the one that is inherited, and if your child has this type, the odds of having another child with ds or other chromosome issue are usually much higher than average

3rd is moasism- not all layers of cells have the evtra chromosomes. Usually cause becasue one cell gets an extra chromosome at a division, and it continues on down the line. It happens before the cells differentiate, this is usally the type where the amnio says no ds and child has it or that the amnio gives unclear results (less than 1%) Not genetic either.

Neither type is associated with better longterm results or development. A syndrome means there are a lot of problems and most children don't have them all, but I have seen a few that do.

In my personal opinion having researched lots of dialities and special needs for adoption. Of all the generic abnormalities available with extra chromosomes- DS is the least scary (and there are some real doozies out there)

I am utterly amazed how many babies are actually born healthy - with all the things that can go wrong without their parent helping( drugs, smoke, alcohol, accidents, abuse, etc). I just believe that any baby getting here to be born is a miricle in itself.

Amnio's are usually correct, I believe there waS AN ERROR AT THE LAB W/ Melea's because she has regular trisomy 21.

I love my two and am frequently asked if I could change it - wpould I. At this point- I would not. They wouldn't be the same children and Eric and I love them with all our hearts!!!!. (I just wish everyone could see the same beuty in them that we do- most people are very kind but about 1 or 2 times each week I get someone who irritates me with a rude comment

Thank you everyone for your posts! I have learned alot!! We have not been matched with this girl yet! I believe, but maybe I am wrong, that she is thinking of giving up her baby if the baby has downs but if it does not then "I" think she is going to keep it! We will see, she has another appointment on Thursday and I am hoping that she does whatever is best for her baby! That is most important regardless of the state of the baby. I have learned a tremendous amount of info from you gals and I really appreciate it! We will see how the adoption plays out and if we are picked I will definately let you know. Some of you may even here me from where your at. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> hee hee

We are getting to the point where I am starting to feel desperate about getting a baby, we are going on two years and I feel hopeless at times <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> But we are trying to live in the day and trying to stay focused that 2005 is the year to bring our little cherib home! So I am trying to stay positive! Hope everyone is planning on having a great year! I will send prayers out to everyone on the board!

Take care and thanks again for the info!
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Shelley