To AFP test or not???? UPDATED AT BOTTOM

Stephanie - did you decide to do the test? DH and I were talking about it after the dr last night because they gave me the paperwork for the AFP. I'm not sure either if I want to take it. I wouldn't have the amnio either, so if I'm not going to do that - why take the test, right? I would have to go in 3 weeks.

PS - The AFP test is for spina bifida, not DS.

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Posted by jcndd

Stephanie - did you decide to do the test? DH and I were talking about it after the dr last night because they gave me the paperwork for the AFP. I'm not sure either if I want to take it. I wouldn't have the amnio either, so if I'm not going to do that - why take the test, right? I would have to go in 3 weeks.

PS - The AFP test is for spina bifida, not DS.

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Yes, I gave blood today to test...and AFP tests for Neural Tube, Spina Bifida and DS...that what my Dr. told me and thats what it says online...

I figured I would take any and all tests to ensure the health of my baby. I want to be prepared in case of special care...

Crossing my fingers that the test comes back OK!! I think everything will be fine.

Thanks everyone for their stories..

Let us know when you get the results!
So, the nuchal AND the afp test for DS? My dr only mentioned the neural tube and spina bifida. I did notice on my paperwork that there are 3 different levels of the afp - maybe different levels test for different things? I'll have to ask when I go back on Monday.

Also, does anyone know what the % rate is for babies to be BORN w/ spina bifida?

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Posted by jcndd

Let us know when you get the results!
So, the nuchal AND the afp test for DS? My dr only mentioned the neural tube and spina bifida. I did notice on my paperwork that there are 3 different levels of the afp - maybe different levels test for different things? I'll have to ask when I go back on Monday.

Also, does anyone know what the % rate is for babies to be BORN w/ spina bifida?

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Good question... I think that its low because I read that after they realized folic acid prevented Spina Bifida that the percentage of babies born with it dropped 70% because of the prenatals vitamins....

Yes, the Nuchal and AFP are for DS....strange huh?? I would assume that if you were ok with the Nuchal, then why wouldn't you be with the AFP?? Its all very confusing to me..

My doctor actually said that even if your results come back OK for the nuchal (DS) you can still get a false positive for DS with the AFP. My results came back good for the nuchal so I WILL take the AFP but not for DS, Ithey will test just for the tube defects and spina bifida

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Posted by jcndd

I think they aren't testing me for DS at the AFP either by the way they explained it to me. I will ask them the % rate on Monday. If it's so low I'm not sure I want to worry myself w/ a false positive result.

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You know...now that I think about it, my Drs office said...'Ok, we're sending you for the AFP test which will look for Neural Tube defects and Spina Bifida'...they never mentioned DS...but I'm pretty sure its part of the test...maybe they aren't looking for that in this test because I did so well on the Nuchal?

Argh...I'll call my Dr. and find out!! I hate all this speculation

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Posted by Betty

My doctor actually said that even if your results come back OK for the nuchal (DS) you can still get a false positive for DS with the AFP. My results came back good for the nuchal so I WILL take the AFP but not for DS, Ithey will test just for the tube defects and spina bifida

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I will do the same.
The center I went to for my nuchal actually told me it is important for them to ONLY test for neural tube defects and not test for DS again if you had first trimester testing done.
I go for the AFP (neural tube parto only) in 3 weeks.