Most people understand that Down’s syndrome is a group of problems caused by having an extra 21st chromosome (3 instead of 2). These children have numerous issues INCLUDING mental retardation. The risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome increases with maternal age.The risk at…

• Age 20 is 1/1,667
• Age 25 is 1/1,250
• Age 30 is 1/952
• Age 35 is 1/385
• Age 40 is 1/106
• Age 45 is 1/30

All women are offered screening options during pregnancy. All women 35 and over are considered to be HIGH risk and are offered diagnostic services as well. I add this ONE caveat. THINK about what you will do with information before you obtain it. Are you getting this information so that you MAY avoid having a Down’s baby with a potential abortion? Is it valuable to you to know the answer to this question before delivery, just to be prepared? Just because there is testing available doesn’t mean you have to do it

Most people understand that Down’s syndrome is a group of problems caused by having an extra 21st chromosome (3 instead of 2). These children have numerous issues including mental retardation. The risk of having a baby with Down’s syndrome increases with maternal age.The risk at…

All women are offered screening options during pregnancy. All women 35 and over are considered to be high risk and are offered diagnostic services as well. I add this one caveat. Think about what you will do with information before you obtain it. Are you getting this information so that you may avoid having a Down’s baby with a potential abortion? Is it valuable to you to know the answer to this question before delivery, just to be prepared? Just because there is testing available doesn’t mean you have to do it