Prenatal testing? (need personal opinions)

Did you take all the tests your OB recommended? (I think each practice calls the tests different names - or at least mine does!)

For me at least, my OB suggests the following:

1) Ultrascreen (sono & blood) to test for Down's, trisomy 18 and one other I've never heard of

2) Quad/Triple Screen/AFP - I think this tests for Down's again, as well as a few others? Anyone know?

What did you guys take? Anything? It's such a personal decision, but it's a hard one

I already went in for the Ultrascreen, but I'm very anxious for the results to come back. Both DH and I agreed that we'd never take any action depending on the results but DH would like to know for preparation. I didn't want to take any of these tests.

Now I'm wondering if I should go ahead with the last one...or not even bother?

I'd be SO upset and worried about a false positive and I would NOT want to go and get an amnio to be sure everything was okay....so then I'd just panic until I give birth which is not good either.

What are all of your thoughts? (I realize this is a personal and private decision but would like to hear what most others have done)

Thanks

If it were up to me, I wouldn't have had any tests. I'd rather not be unnecessarily worried, and sometimes the results are inaccurate.

BUT it was very important to Patrick that, if anything were suspected to be wrong, we had time to research and prepare for it. It really meant SO much to him, so I agreed and had every test offered.

It's a hard decision to make.

ETA ~ I had every test you mentioned.

Thanks Jenn - it sounds like we're in the same boat.

Wow.....42 views so far and only 1 response! The word 'personal' in a post topic really gets some people's interest, huh?!

I had the Quad AFP test but I knew that it has a high rate of false positives. I just figured I would take it anyway. Its just a blood test.
There is no right or wrong answer here.
Its a very personal choice.
Some people would rather skip that test all together. Some people decide to take the amnio because they would rather prepare if something is wrong. Some people choose not to get the amnio because there is a slight risk involved. Its a difficult choice. Talk to your DH and then make your decision.

I am about to go through my first round of testing next week when I am at 12 weeks. My DH and I will also be meeting with a Genetic Counselor.

This is a very difficult subject for my DH and I right now. I want to use the testing so I can be ready for the birth. My DH feels that terminating the pregnancy should be an option in the case of birth defects. In my opinion there is no right or wrong answer - just a personal opinion. It is difficult though when both spouses do not agree. I hope and pray that we do not have to cross that bridge.

Modern medicine is great in information it provides us, the diffiuclty is using that information wisely.

I had an amnio and everything was just fine

I had an amnio also and everything was fine. I also had the Trisomy 18 (or whatever the heck it's called) done.

I know it's nerve wracking and you don't know whether you're doing the right thing or not, but I HAD to know beforehand because I would've been a nervous wreck anyway, so if I'm going to be nervous, I might as well have the test done. That's my wacky way of thinking of things, doesn't work for everyone!

Do what you feel the most comfortable with and what's in your gut! Good luck!!

thanks everyone....it IS such a hard decision.

Jeanene - my OB also recomended a genetics counselor but I'm not going to pursue it. She had originally suggested we go because DH had to have minor surgery at birth and 25% of his male children could have the same problem, but to me, that's opening the door to a boat load of potential problems. That's at least how I feel. Not sure about DH - we need to discuss that too!

forgive me for asking, but for those that did have the amnio, was it due to a test result, or your age? Also, that's still technically a choice right?
Even though your dr would prefer one way or another?

Teri you should go to a genetic counselor. All they will do is talk to you and explain all your options. You choose whay you want to do with the info they give you.

(we went for genetic counseling )


ETA: I had an amnio due to my age

It was totally our choice but my Dr. recommended it.

Personally, I would never have the AFP test again. There is a VERY high false positive result, which is what happened to me, and then I had to go for genetic counseling. IF, God forbid, there was a problem, I would not have done anything about it.

Needless to say, I have a perfect almost 6 year old

I had every test and I didn't blink an eye over my decisions. My feeling is, the doctors perform these tests for a reason - whether it's to be sure THEY know what to expect (or what to look for) during their patient's pregnancy and delivery OR whether its to make the patient more aware of what may lie ahead for their newborn...either way....knowledge is power and I do believe your hubby has a good point in wanting to 'prepare' on the off chance (god forbid) that the baby isn't 100% healthy.

Having a sick child is difficult enough. Being caught off guard about an illness during the child's birth is even harder, IMHO. If and when we are blessed with another child, I will take all the tests again without flinching. I am just the type of person that wants to be prepared for what the future will hold for me, my family and the baby.

This is why I went straight to the amnio. I'm the type of person who needs to know.

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Posted by Stacey1403
ETA: I had an amnio due to my age

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What?! You can't be old enough to qualify for that!!

I'm 35

ahhh - that's what worries me about the AFP test! Maybe I'll s/w the dr before hand and find out exactly what the track record of accurate results are....


Stacey - what's involved with the genetic testing? Yet more blood tests between the both of us?

Claud - you see, I agree that it's best to be prepared, but I almost think most doctors nowadays are trying to cover their @$$ with these tests and get their patients to go for everything under the sun, regardless of the stress and nerves of their patients

Maybe I'm being too cynical though

It's one thing to go for blood tests, wait for results and hope everything's okay, but I don't want to deal with going for an amnio since there's more risk involved in that case. So then I wonder what's the point?

And I wonder why I couldn't sleep last night!

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Posted by Stacey1403

I'm 35

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NO WAY! You look much younger!

You old fart...

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Posted by JennRenee

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Posted by Stacey1403
ETA: I had an amnio due to my age

.

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What?! You can't be old enough to qualify for that!!

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LMAO -- not because I think you're old Stacey -- LMAO because I QUALIFIED for it!!!

Yup, this old hag had it done because of her age. But like Stacey, the decision was totally up to me. The dr told me it was my choice. I was a nervous wreck, but I'm so glad I did it because I was able to relax after that!


Jenn

Personally, I decided to decline all tests. My husband and I would not have acted upon any abnormal results and we didn't feel it was necessary to prepare ourselves. I think that I felt as if I would rather not spend the whole time wondering what if/how and just deal with the situation when/if it comes.

Edited to say:

I probably should have included that I have studied genetics and genetic diseases, so I already am somewhat prepared, I guess. I should have also said I don't feel that I can prepare totally for what may/may not happen.