My husband and I were told that on our next visit we can take the AFP test. We are still undecided. If we found out anything was wrong, we would still continue with the pregnancy. Part of us says we should take it to be prepared, the other part says why worry needlessly if the results are often wrong.
Just curious to see what others have done or will do regarding this test.
THANKS!!!!
michele31
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
My thoughts were this: I would rather be educated and know how to care for my child if something GOD Forbid was 'wrong' then have to learn about it that day. Plus you can also have the proper doctors lined up in case your child requires special care. Scott's cousin had a Down's baby and no one knew until the minute he was born. The doctors had to scamble to get the proper medical care in place plus his cousin and her DH didn't know a thing about it. They have another child at home and had to figure out longer term care for her because their new son was kept in the hospital for weeks. It was a very stressful time. If they had known the doctors would have been prepared. She could have arranged proper care for her daughter and they would have known what was happening. JMO
Elizabeth
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I didnt have an AFP but I had an amnio for all the reasons that Michele stated. Since I didnt do it, I'm not up on the occurence of incorrect results are with an AFP. What do they do next if you get a 'positive' result? Do you get an amnio? I would think if it was wrong so often they'd double check it with another diagnostic test.
Stacey1403
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I did the same as Elizabeth, straight to the amnio
MichelleW
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
Given my age, God willing if I get PG I'll be going for the amnio
DaniRN
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I'm refusing mine.
Samanthas Mom
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
my dr. didnt ask she just said at week 18 we do the afp to test for spinal ...... and downs she said they just take blood from me so I will have it done on march 16th she didnt give me a choice though
chmlengr
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
Tammy - you can refuse the AFP test - its not mandatory!
For some of the same reasons Michele stated, I had it done. All came back fine. I think a lot of people think that if they get back a positive (which is a great chance since there is a high occurance of false positives) that the next step is automatically amnio, and that is not true.
Should you get a [false] positive, the Level 2 sono is the next step because with that technology, they can rule out a lot. Amnio is usually only a last step and even that is up to the mother to be.
Teri
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I didn't really get the option either - I guess if I really pushed the issue. I told my dr I didn't want an amnio if I got a positive result but luckily it didn't come to that....our results came back fine
Mary
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
Posted by tammyjill
my dr. didnt ask she just said at week 18 we do the afp to test for spinal ...... and downs she said they just take blood from me so I will have it done on march 16th she didnt give me a choice though
Tammy: We are practically on the same schedule. I am due one day after you. I am scheduled for the AFP one day after you.
My doctor has given me the choice. Honestly, DH and I have not yet discussed it. I am inclined to have the test done because, in the event that the test was positive, I would like to be prepared before the baby is born.
drjenn10
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I'm going to have it done next week. I will strongly consider amnio if anything comes out abnormal. I was considering amnio before pregnancy because of my age (34), but after discussing it with my OB, decided against it.
Samanthas Mom
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I am sure if I refused she would not push the issue.... she just said at my last visit at 17-18 wks we do an afp........... and simply draw some blood and told me why it is done I am just going to have it done.
Kate
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
Posted by tammyjill
my dr. didnt ask she just said at week 18 we do the afp to test for spinal ...... and downs she said they just take blood from me so I will have it done on march 16th she didnt give me a choice though
She may just assume that if you did not want to take it you would voice your concern. I was not asked perse either. but knew from other sources that I could turn it down. I decided to take the test and right before they took my blood I had to initial a form that I wanted it... so you definitely have a choice. Mine came out ok, then of course I thought well if there are false positives, there must be false negatives too! It can make you crazy....
HeatherandNick
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I had it done. Just in case anything was wrong, I wanted to be mentally prepared
elle
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I did not know you could refuse the AFP -- and I wish I had! My results came out not so good-- saying I had a 1 in 200 chance of having a downs baby -- it should have been 1 in 2000 for my age.. ANyway -- They told us to seek genetic counseling -- which was scary and stressful and wanted me to get an amnio. I did not -- due to the fact that I was going to keep the baby no matter what and the level two ultrasound showed NO signs of any problems. Had it showed problems I would have gotten the amnio. I was very upset and stressed due to this test -- Aidan was fine -- and they told me that a lot of women have poor results for some reason .. I wont have the test next time!!
Lee
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I refused mine. Another very personal decision. I just felt that whatever God handed to me, I would deal with it when the time came. My SIL had a false positive (that was surprisigly backed up by further tests) and spent her whole pregnancy preparing and freaking out and turns out she has a beautiful healthy baby with absolutely zero problems and she didn't enjoy her pregnancy at all. Now I know that is very very rare, but for me, I just figured that if God forbid, something was wrong, we would deal with it when the time came - even though normally I am someone who likes to be prepared. My dr. gave me the option and had no problem either way. Just another one of the very personal decisions you will make as time goes by...
Jeanene
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Re: Did you or will you take the AFP test?
I took the AFP test and the results came back fine. I also had an amnio and the results came back fine. For me, and I agree it is a personal decicion, I wanted to know what to be prepared for.
I think it is good to learn about the tests, the positives and negatives, and make an informed choice for you and your DH.
