New here, looking for stats

TwoUnder2 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-13-2006, 07:17 PM

My name is Christine and I'm 36. I have two kids, my dd is 4.5 and my ds is 3. I had them both before that dreaded "AMA" marker (age 35). Now that I'm AMA and considering adding a third to our family, I'm really nervous. I wonder if anyone knows any statistics for the level of risk for a 36/37 year old. I'm nervous because I would choose not to have an amnio (or a triple screen, etc) so I am really having to think hard about whether or not I want to take on the risk of a third baby or not.

Doe anyone else worry about this? Especially those of you who already have children?

Thanks! I wish you all lots of babydust.
Christine

2moms2be · #2 (**permalink**) 09-14-2006, 06:58 PM

I unfortunately do not have any answers for you, but I wanted to say

!! There is a wealth of knowledge on this board so I am sure someone will be able to help!

LifeIsGR8 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 08:07 AM

I'm new too but wanted to say that I had my 3 year old at 36 and he is perfectly healthy and now trying for #2. I did not do the triple screen with #1 as I read it would probably come back with a false positive due to my age. I had a level 2 us at 18 weeks and while that couldn't rule out everything he looked healthy enough so I opted not to get an amnio.

If ttc #2 is a success, I think I would follow the same path as before.

Good Luck!

meadowgirl · #4 (**permalink**) 09-15-2006, 04:13 PM

I'm just lurking, but used to come here when I was TTC a few months back.

Chances are extremely GREAT that you'll have a healthy baby at just about any age. I had my first son at 35 and will have my second in November at just under 39. So far, so good.

I did choose to have the triple screen as well the as the Nuchal Tranlucency test, but only because both of those tests are not at all invasive. The triple screen is simply a blood test and the NT test is a fairly new, but very detailed ultrasound. (They take measurements of the back of the head as well as other Downs markers like the nasal bone length. It's done at around 12 to 13 weeks, so it's early.) But, I'm a "need to know" kind of person. Thankfully, all my tests came back "normal."

I guess if I were you, I'd make an appt to talk to my ob and ask him/her what the science is and what he/she thinks of your chances based on your family history, etc. I think the earlier you can become pregnant, the better your chances are of a healthy outcome.