Genetic testing for Down Syndrome and Spina Bifida?

I am 37 and am currently 8 weeks pregnant, how do they do genetic testing to see if the baby had Down Syndrome or Spina Bifida? Anyone else had these tests done?

They check that through your blood work, I have four children and when they were tested for spina bifida my two daughters tests came back saying that they may have it so I had to get an early ultrasound with both of them and they were both born healthy baby girls.

I had the test done because I didn't know it was optional so I thought I had to. The only thing is with the blood test is sometimes people get false positives and end up worrying their whole pregnancy for nothing. Everything came back fine and my baby is fine but next time I will not have the testing done.

they do blood tests and see what the chances are that the baby has down syndrome, if the chances are high that the child will have down syndrome they will send you to a genetic coullosor for further testing, usually amniotic fluid testing
for spina bifida they check through an ultra sound, they can tell whether or not the spin is developing properly

yea i had these tests done.
And I wish I wouldnt have.
Im 18 weeks pregnant and 19 years old and down syndrome didnt even cross my mind.
I went to my 18 week scan on monday and they told me Im at higher risk because of my blood test....
I have never been so stressed out in my life, and thats not an exageration.
I come home from work and do hours of research, the past 3 days.
Its all I do is think about it. The chances, what if. Im a total wreck and im trying not to be.
I wont get a amneo so now im stuck waiting 22 weeks and wondering and praying.....

If you are going to keep the baby either way, then you don't need the tests done. If you aren't, then I think they can test the amniotic fluid. I think they stick a needle thru your belly button.

Actually they use an ultrasound and a blood test to check for these. I had them done and everything came back good.