Hi everyone

I am new to this forum. I am 17 weeks pregnant and had a blood test at 15 weeks which came back positive for spine bifida, risk of 1 in 70. My doctor says it's probably due to the bleeding I had from 10 weeks to 15 weeks, he does not think the baby has any problems but the placenta might be damaged and this could cause the high AFP level. I am scheduled for level 2 ultrasound next week, but I am so worried and it's hard to wait. Is there anyone who had a similar problem?

Monika

Im sorry ive not been in this situation, but i wanted to welcome u here and wish u all the luck in the world, hope the scan goes well and all is ok.
xx

Thanks Sophie! All the best to you too!

Hiya

Welcome to BabyandBump

I have not been in this situation but want to wish you l uck for your next ultrasound

aww hunny I have been there but not for SB mine was for DS (downs) it turned out my resluts were high levels of AFP (which is same for DS and SB) as I was 2 weeks behind in my weeks than they initially thought tho found out at the birth.
I didnt have the second scan I opted straight for the amnio and at time thought I would have terminated but know now I never would I just needed to know one way or another.

I would say 1 in 70 is not as high but to you i can understand those numbers are the focus on everything. I know it is no consolation but it is a good figure it could have come ack 1 in 2 or 3 thats what I kept telling myself.

I hate the triple test as it is not a clear test there are so many things that can give these sort of results and TBH I dont think i would bother with this test again as the anxiety it can give you is mad.

Try to relax (I know bloody hard) and maybe request another set of tests see if they come back again with the same number. But please remember this triple/double test is just a diagnostic test (have I got that right?) it DOES NOT say there is anything wrong just highlights an IF or MAYBE which 9 times out of 10 there is nothing wrong and with those odds and your number chances are things will go your way.

It was this time last year i went through this hell,so I feel for you so much I was a nervous wreck you ask Char (wobbles) she will tell you

If you want to chat hunny my email is **********

Take care chin up
Bex

*[edited by admin - email removed for your safety / so you don't get spammed by spambots - please PM your email - S.C]

Oh just noticed the bleeding part you mentioned I bled on and off too so i reckon you have nothing to worry about.
B.x

Woobles and Bexxie, thank you so much for your responses. I hope everything will be ok, today is the big day, I am going for the ultrasound soon. I'll let you know how it went.
Take care!

I am done with my ultrasound and I'm so happy, there were no problems, everything looked good, so my high levels were probably due to the bleeding I had. And I also found out we are having a girl!
Thank you all for your responses and support! Take care!

Sorry Monika I did not see your update yesterday *doh*

I am glad to see all went well though & congrats on your news

Two weeks ago my husband and I got the call that our second trimester screening came back with a 1:4 for spina bifida. Instant panic set in. The only thing the genetic counsler said was wait till your 20 week ultrasound to see what it says, that was over 4 weeks away. Luckily I had a routine prenatal appointment and the doctor agreed that I shouldn't have to wait that long and that an ultrasound could be done at 18 weeks. The stress of waiting was going to be worse than waiting. We were able to get an appointment with a great perinatologist. The ultrasound took about an hour but they could find no sign of spina bifida and everything was right on track with the growth. The only explination they had was it was a false positive, which happens quite often. There is a possibilty that it could signal placenta problems down the road, but that can't be determined until 24+ weeks, or a kidney issue with the baby that can't be determined until after birth or with an amnio (which we aren't going to do). That appointment brought much relief. I will be monitored more closely with ultrasound now until delivery, but I can deal with that, more oppurtunities to see the baby. I want to give you a little peace of mind that false postives do happen and try very hard to get in there and get an ultrasound done with the best doctor you can find. The stress of worrying is going to be worse than knowing and planning ahead. Good luck