Markers for Downs
Hi Everyone,
First I want to say how inspiring this board is, what an incredible group of ladies you all are.
I am new to the board and really just have a question. First I will tell you just a little about myself. I am 37 years old and expecting my second baby, a girl, in January. We were supposed to have an amnio yesterday, but I am on aspirin once a day and heparin shots twice a day (for a blood clotting disorder)and didn't know I wasn't supposed to take them before the amnio. Anyway, the sonogram went great accept for one small issue. The Dr. found a 'soft' marker for downs. He said her pinky was curved in a little bit and a bit smaller. Now, my fingers are all messed up, double and triple jointed, and my pinky is curved in as well (as is my sons), so we are guessing that she is taking after me, but I do have some questions.
First, how often do soft markers, especially if there is only one, turn out to be downs? All other 'hard' markers turned out fine. Her heart is fine, kidneys are fine, ventricles in brain are fine. Facial features perfect, ears perfect, nose, perfect, etc. Even her little toes were perfect. Just the one marker.
Also, do the amount of markers found indicate the severity of the downs syndrome? What I mean is, if they find that the facial features are common for downs, and there is a heart problem, does that mean the downs is more severe? If they find a few soft markers, but nothing hard, and it does turn out to be downs, would it be a milder case?
I hope you all don't mind me asking all these questions, I just like to be prepared and know all the facts. We will love this baby no matter what, but I will feel much better for the rest of my pregnancy being prepared.
Thanks in advance!
Barbi
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Barbi
mom to Brennan ( To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. cautiously expecting #2, 1/29/04
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