Who here will be doing

SurroDoula · #1 November 2nd, 2007, 04:36 PM

I have to discuss this with my OB at our next appointment on Nov 5. My Intended Parents (IP's) really want this test done. I'm worried that despite having the testing already done on the embryo before implantation, that for some reason I'll get flagged as higher risk for chromosomal defects, and that my IP's will want an amnio. I have no objection to amnio when needed, except that it seems like an unnecessary risk to do an amnio when we already have had the chromosomes tested. Now, neural tube defects couldn't be tested for on the embryo, and I can understand doing the test for that reason alone.

For some reason, I just have this feeling that it's going to cause stress all for nothing, and if it comes back as a higher than normal chance of defects and an amnio is done, then there is literally going to be WEEKS of anxiety for nothing. And this will be happening right before/during Christmas, to boot, since it can take a few weeks to get back amnio results.

I'm going to talk to my IP's this weekend, and see how they feel about just finding out the results for neural tube defects alone, and if that's possible from my OB on Monday. I've just seen sooooo many people stress for so long about the results of this one screening test. I'm not sure my IP's realize how often a false "positive" comes up, or how agonizing it will be for them to go through.

So, am I crazy, or does anyone else have the same feeling about this test?

illinoismommy · #2 November 2nd, 2007, 04:40 PM

I know how you feel, I also wonder if maybe they would be happy with an ultrasound to look for "markers" instead?

mamatolots · #3 November 2nd, 2007, 04:46 PM

The Dr actually *just* called with my results for the NT scan. According to all of the results, my chances for Down's Syndrome and Trisomy 18 are both 1 in 10,000. We talked earlier this week about doing the triple screen and I told her I am fine with the testing I already had. I feel the same way as you. We are fine with the results we have gotten and don't feel the need to stress over more testing. Besides, I wouldn't have an amnio.

Good luck talking with your IP's.

emills · #4 November 2nd, 2007, 04:47 PM

I refused all the tests... I dont want any extra reason to worry, especially since no matter what any results would say it wouldnt change our opinion on the baby or termination or anything.

SurroDoula · #5 November 2nd, 2007, 04:55 PM

I suggested an u/s (and will have one anyway around 20 weeks) since most neural tube defects would be picked up on ultrasound. But they want this test done since the RE recommended it.

JulieC · #6 November 2nd, 2007, 05:26 PM

I will be having the AFP done.

*~Jen~* · #7 November 2nd, 2007, 05:29 PM

I was going to refuse it, but I talked to my OB about it a little bit at my last appointment and I think we're going to go ahead and do it. The main reason being that if the baby did have spina bifida, it would change the hospital I need to deliver at. They're not equipped to deal with it at my current one. There's an 80% chance of detecting it with the AFP screening and an 80% chance with ultrasound, so between the 2 of them, there's like a 96% chance they would be able to detect it.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be having it done because I know so many people who have come back with high levels and everything ended up completely normal.

tjo9 · #8 November 2nd, 2007, 07:40 PM

I was going to have it(basically to get a look at the little one) but my OB basically talked me out of it because I don't want a amnio. And it ended up that I wouldn't of been able to make the apt anyway so we just canceled. I don't really know to much about the test but my OB thought it would cause me stress I guess . Hope you IP get good news so they don't have to stress about it and you too.

mom_of_8 · #9 November 2nd, 2007, 07:47 PM

I decline this test as well. Way too many false results and who needs the extra stress.

*Ade* · #10 November 2nd, 2007, 07:55 PM

I will be getting the AFP test done. We had it done with Kylie...my doc told us that the best time to do it is exactly 17 weeks, otherwise there are too many false answers. He wont do it even at 16 or 18 weeks. Im not sure if we would go for an amnio if there were any causes for concern, Ive heard some pretty horrible things about them. But, I know u/s, especially 3D can pick it up, so if there were any concerns, we would just opt for that instead of amnio. But our big thing is that if there is a defect, we would like to be prepared---a very close friend of mine lost her little girl just 7 hours after birth due to Trisomy 13--they found out at her 20 week u/s, and I know she was happy to have time to really accept it and prepare for it.

SurroDoula · #11 November 2nd, 2007, 08:32 PM

My 20 week u/s will be 3D/4D so it should pick up anything that would warrant a level 2 u/s.

I know they're wanting to be prepared as well, and I really don't think anything is going to be a problem in the end, I basically just don't want for them to go through the added stress when it's not needed. It was hard enough for them waiting 2 days for the results of the PGD (the testing they did).

mk513 · #12 November 3rd, 2007, 05:55 AM

Quote:

I refused all the tests... I dont want any extra reason to worry, especially since no matter what any results would say it wouldnt change our opinion on the baby or termination or anything.[/b]

You know, it's interesting...none of the tests have been offered to me yet! Not the NT scan, not the blood tests - nothing! Which is fine with me, because I would opt out anyway.

amy1980 · #13 November 3rd, 2007, 06:58 AM

My OB hasn't offered any of them either....maybe because I declined for DS. I truthfully don't know very much about either test.
I hope things run smooth for you....it does seem like an added unnecessary stress for you. Especially since you will be having a 3D/4D u/s.
Maybe once the IP's are given all the facts (and realize that there can be false results) they will decide it's not necessary.

luvbnamomm · #14 November 3rd, 2007, 07:18 AM

I declined all extra testing i will have my 20 week u/s that is it. I have never had it done with any of my pregnancies. I will not do an amnio, which is the only way to tell for sure. I talked to a friend who is an ob nurse and she told me that they have a lot of false pos. and would not recommend it. If you have an amnio there is a chance of miscarriage. A 1% chance is too much for me.. My ob is not allowed to say one way or the other due to lawsuits.

Hannahsmommie · #15 November 3rd, 2007, 08:01 AM

I will not under any circumstances have the amnio. My sister lost a baby at 6 months b/c she had this test.

KimsBlessedWith#5 · #16 November 3rd, 2007, 08:15 AM

I will be getting the NT scan at 12 weeks with a blood draw and the AFP blood draw at 16 weeks. Its called sequential testing where they take the results from both testing and it is supposed to be very accurate at detecting. This is something new that my dr.'s office just started to do.

Astrid · #17 November 3rd, 2007, 10:35 AM

I'm not quite sure whether or not we will be doing it b/c of our situation but I'm going in to finally meet our peri on the 13th & will get all the info then.

MommyMaryann · #18 November 3rd, 2007, 10:58 AM

Quote:

I will be getting the NT scan at 12 weeks with a blood draw and the AFP blood draw at 16 weeks. Its called sequential testing where they take the results from both testing and it is supposed to be very accurate at detecting. This is something new that my dr.'s office just started to do.[/b]

My doctor offers this test too. We decided not to do it though. Im a stresser, so if it happened to come back positive, I would just be a worried mess for nothing.

Kelly · #19 November 3rd, 2007, 11:24 AM

I got the AFP last time, but this time, my midwife said it's not really necessary. Part of me wants to because last time I felt even better when it came back as being fine. I had never heard of an NT scan, I wonder if it's something I can ask my midwfe about.

Is it too late for me to even get an NT scan? I'm not exactly sure of what they are, I just know they look at a fold of skin on the neck or something.

Kids Everywhere · #20 November 3rd, 2007, 05:22 PM

We will be having the screening done. We won't ever consider aborting our baby, but if something is "wrong" I want to know that we had the knowledge and the best doctors on hand and the best hospital to handle the birth. I don't want to always wonder, what if we had known and had been prepared...... just a thought. With our second child (this is our 6th) the tests came back positive. And to be honest, there wasn't a lot of stress over it. God gave us this child and He will take care of him/her and us. We know he has a special child picked out for us. After further testing, our daughter ended up being 100% healthy. Praise God!