AFP
I've been hearing a lot about this test, what exactly is it?
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AFP
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Re: AFP
It is bascially a simple blood test that is used to help determine if your baby is healthy or not.
There is a very high false-positive rating on this test and a positive does not mean your baby is sick or unhealthy. You are sent for further testing to determine that. It is not a required test either. Many women now opt not to have it done because of the high false-positive problem.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)
Between 15 and 18 weeks, the doctor may perform a test to determine the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance normally produced by a growing fetus. In AFP testing, a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm is analyzed. If the test shows that the AFP level is higher or lower than normal, further tests will be done to confirm or rule out fetal problems.
High AFP levels will occur with twin pregnancies. Also, measuring AFP can help determine the presence of a type of birth defect called a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects are an abnormality in which the spinal cord or brain does not form properly. An increased level of AFP may be found in the blood of a woman whose fetus has a neural tube defect or an abdominal wall defect in formation. An AFP level that is lower than normal may be linked to an increased risk of Down syndrome.
There is a very high false-positive rating on this test and a positive does not mean your baby is sick or unhealthy. You are sent for further testing to determine that. It is not a required test either. Many women now opt not to have it done because of the high false-positive problem.
Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP)
Between 15 and 18 weeks, the doctor may perform a test to determine the level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in a pregnant woman's blood. AFP is a substance normally produced by a growing fetus. In AFP testing, a blood sample taken from a vein in the arm is analyzed. If the test shows that the AFP level is higher or lower than normal, further tests will be done to confirm or rule out fetal problems.
High AFP levels will occur with twin pregnancies. Also, measuring AFP can help determine the presence of a type of birth defect called a neural tube defect. Neural tube defects are an abnormality in which the spinal cord or brain does not form properly. An increased level of AFP may be found in the blood of a woman whose fetus has a neural tube defect or an abdominal wall defect in formation. An AFP level that is lower than normal may be linked to an increased risk of Down syndrome.
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Re: AFP
what a thorrough response. A guy here on the job did not have his wife do any of the test that they usually give to older preggo ladies, he said knowing the results would not make them change their minds about bringing the baby in to the world so they opt out for all the test. I thought that was rather brave of them.
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Re: AFP
Shamma, Patrick and I agree with the man you work with ~ the outcome of the tests wouldn't change a thing.
In fact, the ONLY reason we had the AFP was because Patrick said that if anything were wrong with the baby, he'd want the in utero time to read and learn about the condition, and make decisions about our work schedules and the kind of care the baby would need. How could I argue with that logic??![]()
In fact, the ONLY reason we had the AFP was because Patrick said that if anything were wrong with the baby, he'd want the in utero time to read and learn about the condition, and make decisions about our work schedules and the kind of care the baby would need. How could I argue with that logic??
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Re: AFP
That is why I also had the test but I do not condem anyone who makes a different decision than I would. This is a very personal matter that only a husband and wife can make and a very difficult one.
