One in one thousand babies will actually be born with Down’s Syndrome.
All pregnant women, no matter what their age, will be offered screening tests. It’s done within a certain amount of weeks when you have your first dating scan which is around 12-weeks and they might do a nuchal translucency measurement, which is the fat pad at the back of baby’s neck. Then you’ll have some blood tests after you’ve had your scan, which will check for some hormones and other markers that they’re looking for.
It’s important to remember that the screening test that you’re offered don’t actually give you a definitive answer of whether or not baby is affected. They’ll give you a risk factor. If they need further diagnostic testing that will only take place with counselling and proper consent before they have any procedures done.
If you are offered further diagnostic testing you’ll either be offered what’s called a CVS or an amniocentesis test. These will give you an absolute definitive answer of whether baby is or isn’t affected but do carry a risk of miscarriage.
Women have the screening tests for Down’s Syndrome in order that they can make informed decisions with their partner about their own pregnancy and their family life. And babies who survive past the age of one are actually expected to live well into their 50’s.
About video: Midwife Natalie Carter explains the tests your baby can have to find out if it has Down's Syndrome.
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