Pregnant with twins... Nutrition advice to prevent down syndrome?

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jenp1

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I just found out I am pregnant with twins at 22 weeks... the Dr. missed it in my first ultra sound. Well one of the twins has a small amt of extra fluid in the ventricle of his brain, and a small amt in his kidney as well. The other twin is perfectly healthy and they are identical twins, which means they share all the same chromosomes and genes. They said that the extra fluid is border line normal, but that they have to tell me about it. Which I am worried sick now even though it's still within the normal range. They said there's a 8% chance it could be related to down syndrome. .... I'm scared.
I can't help to blame myself that one of them has this, and I am worried about everything I eat and if I am being healthy enough. I am only 27 so it can't be age related, and no one in my entire family history has this disorder or my husbands family, so It doesn't seem to be genetic.
So they say you can help prevent down sydrome by taking enough folic acid. Well I didn't know I was having twins, which you need twice as much folic acid. I don't know if I got enough. And the first few weeks, I even skipped out on my vitamins sometimes because they made me throw up. But once the morning sickness went away I took them everyday. And now I wish I would have just sucked it up and not skipped out those first weeks.
Is 22 weeks too late to make a difference... now that I know I'm having twins and I know exactly how much I need for both babies. Will my nutrition help change this around now? Or is his brain to far developed for it to make a difference, if he does have down syndrome?
Does anyone know? I am so worried.
 
theres nothing u can do to change if the baby is downs or not.

its not always an age/genetic thing either.

my mom was 20 when she had my brother with downs and theres no other downs in our family

IF the baby has downs,. its was decided at conception so there is nothing you coulda done to change it
 
downs syndrom is not diet related or genetic related... it is the luck of the draw. an extra chromosome is formed immediately which is what causes downs...it has nothing to do with environment,age,diet,family history. it can happen to anyone. so don't blame yourself. it kinda surprises me that in this day and age,people still think its a genetic thing...not that its wrong you didn't know that. I just wish people in general were more educated. good luck.
 
Congratulations to you on your double blessings!

First, Folic Acid is an important supplement but it prevents spina bifida, not Down's Syndrome. As well, it is recommended that ALL women of childbearing age take it even prior to pregnancy, because by the time most women realize they are expecting, it is too late for it to make a difference at that point (though it is not a bad idea to take it).

Second, eating healthy is important but a poor diet is not going to cause Down's Syndrome nor is a healthy diet going to "fix" Down's Syndrome.

I know it is hard, because there was a period of time when I was expecting my youngest child when we were worried about whether or not he had a condition that can be fatal. Thankfully, our results came back good. You need to focus on the positive, though again I know how hard that can be. The doctor's told you there is an 8% chance that it is related to Down's Syndrome. That means there is a 92% chance that it is NOT.

For the time being, I suggest you educate yourself as well as possible. Ask questions, get second opinions, etc. Be prepared for the worst and pray for the best. And do plenty of praying! I have already said a prayer for you and your little ones. Congratulations again! Even if your son does have Down's Syndrome, he is still your son and is a blessing.
 
There is nothing you can do now. Nothing you could have done in the beginning of pregnancy. Folic acid does not prevent Down Syndrome. This is a genetic disorder.
 
Hi, Though your child "is" a blessing from God no matter what, I am posting this article from Kimberly Beauchamp, ND. (Mother's nutrition linked to Down Syndrome) "Maternal intake of IRON and FOLIC ACID during the first month of pregnancy may be protective against Down Syndrome (DS), reports a study in Nutrition (2005;21:698-704). You can research in the internet. Also, if you find yourself thinking "what awaits me or what awaits my child", Just respond to yourself, "The mercy of God". Every person has a wonderful mission in this world, including your child.
 
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