HiI've just been told I'm at high risk for one of my twins to have downs syndrome. I am 40 so that will have played into it. I also read somewhere that this test is only 70% accurate. Is that right? I'm thinking of getting the NIPT test. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
I am 41 and have just went through the sane thing in the last10 days, although I only have one baby in there.
I had done PGT-A testing because of my age so I will tell you what my clinic and the specialist NIPT midwife told me and hopefully it will put your mind at ease a bit.
Firstly, the test is only about 70% accurate. Secondly, it’s not based on the blood test you would have had done but rather a computer algorithm, and a major factor in them determining the probability for downs will have been your age.
Due to how inaccurate they are my maternity unit is thinking of stopping the test altogether as they cause unnecessary panic.
If you had PGT-A testing beforehand, it should have shown up then, although that test is not 100% accurate (in fairness none of them are). Also if you had testing beforehand you shouldn’t have been tested in the first place. That made me particularly angry because it caused unnecessary stress to me.
The NIPT test is more accurate, about 99%. It’s only a blood test so poses no risk to your babies. It takes about a week for results to come back. If it comes back as a higher chance of downs, then it is more likely one of your babies may have it. At this point you can be offered an amniocentesis test, which poses a small risk of miscarriage.
I chose to have the NIpT test and should get the results back next week, when I am 20 weeks pregnant. Personally I like to know what I am facing and give me time to get used to it if the result comes back that my son has Down’s syndrome, but it is a personal choice for you. You don’t need to have the NIPT if you don’t want too, guess it depends on what will keep you calmer, knowing it not knowing.
Good luck xx
HiThank you so much for you reply. I also had a little look at your post and all the replies, which I found really helpful. I didn't have the PGT-A testing but I do think my age has skewed the results. I think it's a really bad system and that people who are 40+ should just be told they're more at risk without even doing a blood test! What's the point of the test really? I'm booked in for the NIPT so fingers crossed. All the best to you and good luck for your results 🤞🏼
hello, firstly I’d just like to mirror what systema23 has said in terms of your odds being generated by a computer algorithm & as soon as age goes in that affects everything !
I am 38, I didn’t have any PGTA testing & although my screening results came back low risk because of my age & a low Papp-a result, I was closer to high risk than not although the hospital were not worried at all. I did opt to have NIPT for reassurance, I went with a private scanning company that offered NIPT with a recognised London based clinic (The same used by many private medical companies) it was expensive at £350 but worth every single penny. If you have been identified as high risk, has the NIPT been offered on the NHS ?
I personally think NIPT should be offered for all pregnancies as the NHS screening programme does cause undue worry and stress
Good luck
x
Your age will be a contributing factor in the probability given. I recommend an NIPT - I had one myself and it came back high risk. We are continuing the pregnancy 
Whatever happens I wish you all the very best. x
Hi thanks for sharing with me. Yes, I will also continue with the pregnancy regardless of the outcome of the NIPT but I'd like to be prepared and have some time to process it. I also wish you all the best 🥰
High risk for DS- combined nhs test 
5+4 weeks with tested embryo and good HCG results but terrified for viability scan
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