To all the moms waiting for their genetic testing results after a positive quad screen, SIPs test or US: Hang in there!

Some of you are waiting to hear if your baby has Down Syndrome and others are waiting on harder news, like Trysomy 13 or 18 (less likely to be viable). The wait is absolutely painful and I just want to share my story, so when you’re scrolling through, trying to stay occupied, you have something to read.

For the record, all babies are beautiful! But hearing that something could be wrong, not knowing the severity or what health risks lay ahead is what makes it difficult (at least for me).

At around 16/17 weeks, I got a call that my SIPS genetic screen came back as a “positive” for Down Syndrome. My ratio was 1/270 (not bad, I know). They suggested that I do the Harmony test, but could also do an amino if I wanted.

I was oddly prepared for this and have thought about and discussed the possibility of DS with my husband. We knew we’d keep it. We have the means, the stability, I have experience with kids with disabilities, I was like: “ok, we’ve got this...”.

I went in two days later and did the Harmony blood test and waited. The wait was SO much more stressful than I thought it would be! Just not knowing, preparing yourself for a hard outcome...it was way harder than I thought.

After 12 days, 7 business days, I got an email that my results were in and everything was good, my risk was very low.

I balled. Just hearing that the baby was ok, took off like 100 lbs off of my shoulders that I didn’t realize had been there.

Long story short: the SIPs and Quad screens are known for false positives. I honestly wish that I would have either just paid for the Harmony test upfront or had not done any testing all together. The wait was so much more stress than I anticipated and wouldn’t have changed my personal outcome: we keep and love the baby no matter what.

To all the moms with positive Ultrasounds or found out that there’s anything wrong with their baby (in general), I’m so sorry that you have to wait in anguish while you see everyone else posting their healthy baby’s US or complaining about the gender (not hating at the moms posting! ❤️).

The whole experience made me feel incredibly lucky for the healthy boy I have and the healthy baby inside.

Good luck to all the mommas out there!!!

38 weeks..insomnia

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