Chromosomes are made up of genes (coded information-DNA).  We each have 46 chromosomes of which we get 23 from our mother and 23 from our father. Two sets of each. Sometimes during the cell division process, instead of splitting into 2, a third split happens

    Trisomy (the word) means three bodies. Three bodies of each chromosome can happen to any of the 23 pairs, so that is how they get the diagnosis name “Trisomy1” or “Trisomy 2” and so on. The most common being Trisomy 21, known by another name; Down Syndrome.

There can be 3 ways that the abnormality appears:

• Mosaic- SOME cells contain 3 copies where others only contain 2

• Partial- Extra segment of chromosome

• Full- an entire extra chromosome

  Screening for Trisomy 21, Trisomy 18 and Trisomy 13 can happen during pregnancy between weeks 10 and 20 “prenatal” blood tests. An anatomy ultrasound is performed during weeks 18-20 to check the growth of the fetus and can detect signs of some health conditions.

Click to Learn more about 3 of the types of Trisomy

Please know that I stated POSSIBILITIES while everything looks grim and hopeless, it actually isn’t. There are so many that have a full life living with Trisomy. Many of these individuals live without medical devices, then some have feeding tubes, and others have breathing machines, but they are thriving!! The reality is NONE of us know how long we each will live, a diagnosis doesn’t mean it’s over right then and there. Enjoy the pregnancy. Enjoy the moments as they come. Find a medical team that is lead by your decisions. And a good support team in your corner is an absolute must!

Very Well Health

https://www.verywellhealth.com/other-trisomies-in-humans-1120490#

Trisomy SOFT

trisomy.org

Intermountain Health Angel Watch

https://intermountainhealthcare.org/services/womens-health/angel-watch

University of Utah Maternal Fetal Medicine

https://medicine.utah.edu/obgyn/maternal-fetal-medicine