https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:36:24 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing/page/2#post-1751809 Thu, 10 Jul 2014 22:30:16 +0000 marionberry 1751809@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose not to find out for the same reasons as many of you (I am a huge worrier, we wouldn't terminate, etc.) but also because of personal experience. My mom did the testing when she was pregnant at 28 with my sister. The test told her that the baby had spina bifida and they highly suggested my mom should terminate. Given her religious views she did not terminate and said she spent her whole pregnancy very stressed out. I can tell you that my sister is perfectly healthy and the test was wrong. My mom begged me not to put myself through that stress and I trusted her on this one since at times I felt very up in the air about it. I understand tests have changed a lot since then, but sometimes mama knows best. :wink: </p> <p>I will say that when we get pregnant with #2 we'll have to decide if we want to test again. I think most likely we'll make the same decision but you never know. I see the positives to both decisions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing/page/2#post-1750822 Thu, 10 Jul 2014 18:43:50 +0000 limabeanbabies 1750822@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We decided not to test since we would keep any baby sent our way. I tend to worry, too, but I just had to accept that everything would work out the way it should. Any problems that come up are usually out of your hands until after birth anyway. Good luck! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing/page/2#post-1732433 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 13:12:06 +0000 Ms.Pumpkin 1732433@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CatchAFallingStar: We went ahead with the testing, for many of the reasons cited above. The blood test was very easy, we got the results back quickly, and they were quite reassuring- my doctor basically said that she trusted the results of the blood test to be highly accurate, to the point where a result that was within normal range would satisfy her to not worry about any additional invasive testing like amnio or CVS. For us, the whole experience was a really good one, and odds are, you are more likely to get a reassuring result than a worrying one. Certainly these tests do not guarantee that your baby will have no problems whatsoever, but that's just not possible in life. </p> <p>But in the end, you know yourself best, and you are the only one who can make the best decision for you and for your family. Whatever decision you make is totally valid, as long as it's the best choice for you and the ones you love! </p> <p>Best of luck, and I hope you enjoy the process of the scan too- it was so amazing to see the transformation that my little bean had made since I last saw her at 8 weeks- at the NT scan, they look so big, it's amazing! :happy: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing/page/2#post-1732385 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 12:58:11 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 1732385@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Well, after sleeping on it, I have decided to go ahead with testing. I go in tomorrow morning for an NT scan and a "Verinata" blood test, which is similar to MaterniT21. I'm scared! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing/page/2#post-1731355 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:16:32 +0000 HappyBaker 1731355@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose to do the tests for whether we were carriers for different genetic diseases with LO #1, not because we would terminate but because we knew we wanted more than one child, and if we were both carriers for something we would want to know that and make the decision to still try for another baby with that knowledge. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731351 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:15:19 +0000 blackbird 1731351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@catchafallingstar, some of the testing is 99% accurate, so I don't know what tests you are referring to...the NT test only gives odds, and then you can move forward with the bloodwork that is far more accurate. You can get definitive answers. The CVS, the amnio...all these things are pretty spot on. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731328 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 08:00:42 +0000 littlek 1731328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: Agree. This is a key point my OB mentioned. I'd rather be prepared early then be blindsided at birth. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731272 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:22:35 +0000 looch 1731272@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was 35 when my son was born and I have family history, but we did not pursue any testing. We did the nuchal scan and that was it. My doctor didn't mention any further testing because advanced maternal age in Europe is 40.</p> <p>I think the most important thing you can do is determine what you can deal with at birth, do you need to be prepared in case you need to get specialists? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731262 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:13:28 +0000 knittylady 1731262@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731260 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:12:24 +0000 spaniellove 1731260@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: I may or may not be bitter about finding out about so many health issues in the first few weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731254 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 07:08:57 +0000 knittylady 1731254@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@spaniellove: this. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731161 Mon, 30 Jun 2014 00:41:33 +0000 CatchAFallingStar 1731161@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think I've decided not to pursue the testing. As comforting as a favorable result would be, the worry and angst of increased risk would just be too much for me to handle. If it were a definite answer, I'd feel differently and I'd want to know ASAP to prepare, etc., should anything be wrong and be free to relax if everything looked good. I think I'll just wait for our 20-week scan. I will worry a little between now and then, but nowhere near as much as if I found out now that our risk was increased or high without a real, definitive answer. Thank you so much for all of your input! It's very helpful. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731127 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 23:11:08 +0000 Somebunny 1731127@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose to skip testing ultimately because we wouldn't terminate regardless of the results. We discussed how the test weren't always accurate and didn't want to worry unnecessarily. We also didn't have any risk factors to the chances of something being wrong seemed slim. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731120 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 22:45:53 +0000 keepcalmcarrie 1731120@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Like @MrsS_Alpha:, we chose not to get genetic testing for LO#1, and our anatomy scan at 20 weeks showed a choroid plexus cyst (soft marker for Trisomy 21, among others), which thankfully resolved and meant nothing. Now that I'm pregnant with LO#2, we've decided against genetic testing again. As others have mentioned, the tests only give you odds. And there are many false positives. For me, the results would only cause more anxiety and angst over amnio. If there is something significant, it would probably be noticeable at an anatomy scan at 20 weeks. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731106 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 22:15:26 +0000 spaniellove 1731106@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would add that it's not just about terminating or not...it's tough to find out at birth or just after that your child may have a significant health/developmental issue. You're already going through such a crazy time and that is not when you should have that dumped on you. As scary as it may seem to worry throughout your pregnancy about an issue that may turn out to be nonexistent, it's nothing compared to being immediately postpartum and getting the news. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731088 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 21:50:05 +0000 Mrs Hedgehog 1731088@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose not to have it done for a couple reasons. We knew that it didn't matter if our child was disabled or not. We were going to love and Care for them the same so why spend money just to find out something that, really, didn't matter one way or the other esp since it wouldn't be something we could fix or change. We also knew that there being no definite answer one way or the other, just percentages, that if we did get a result that worried is, that we could spend the entire pregnancy worrying over nothing. </p> <p>It just isn't worth it to us. Especially since it isn't covered by our insurance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1731069 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 21:29:22 +0000 Maysprout 1731069@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My reasons were similar to @Mae . I didn't do early testing with either. With my 2nd there was a bit of worry on her anatomy scan bc of an oddity with her umbilical cord that is sometimes associated with heart/kidney problems. But even with the odds going up we were told that an amnio was more risky than the odds of something being seriously wrong. We ended up getting a fetal echocardiogram because if something was wrong with her heart we wanted to know so we could take whatever steps to fix the problem as we could. </p> <p>We weren't burying our heads in the sand but neither of us thought we'd knpw what we'd do with odds ratios from a quad screen. Even after getting news on the anatomy scan I had no regrets of not getting early testing and my husband was still very against the odds ratios kinds of tests, I think for us it would have only fueled anxiety. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730973 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 20:18:22 +0000 blackbird 1730973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I couldn't relax without having it done. I had too high of a risk and my percentages were scary after my NT scan. Which I only got because I wanted to see the baby again. Go figure. My 48 hour results really helped me chill out the rest of my pregnancy. There is nothing like definitively knowing all the chromosomes are where they should be. I had a CVS. Very accurate.</p> <p>Termination aside, I would want to get as educated and linked in as possible if it came to special needs. Being blind sided isn't for me and I have MORE anxiety with assuming everything would be ok because that's bit me in be ass before </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730957 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 20:12:24 +0000 cmomma17 1730957@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@CatchAFallingStar: I skipped it all, because I would not terminate regardless and we didn't have any risk factors. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730866 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 19:21:39 +0000 peachykeen 1730866@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose not to do any genetic testing (I am currently 30 weeks with my first) and probably would not do testing with a 2nd child either. I had the same thoughts/feelings - we would not terminate no matter what, and I know the tests can give false positives. </p> <p>At our 20 week anatomy scan, the doctor THOUGHT she saw something (a choroid plexus cyst) that COULD be a soft marker for chromosomal abnormalities. She referred us to a perinatalogist for a higher-level scan to be sure. At the 2nd scan, the doc saw no indications anything was wrong (he did not even seen evidence of a cyst) and called her a "textbook baby". I did find out after this that they may not have put us through all this concern if we had done the initial genetic testing and tested negative for this condition, but I'm still not sure that would change my mind... Just another side to consider, I guess </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730848 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 19:04:14 +0000 swedishfish 1730848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: @ladybee: I agree with both of you. I cannot imagine taking care of a newborn AND trying to learn about the special needs the newborn has at the same time. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730840 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:57:37 +0000 Mrs. Oatmeal 1730840@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose not to, because we knew we wouldn't terminate regardless of results. We had no risk factors or family history. Also, because most of those tests pick up ANY marker at all for an abnormality, there is a higher risk of a false 'positive'. Knowing how stress-y I get, it wasn't worth it.</p> <p>The only test/scan we had was the 20wk anatomy scan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730839 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:57:06 +0000 ladybee 1730839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@knittylady: this is why I feel strongly that people, especially those with risk factors, should test. If your child does have a special need it is your job to be their advocate and love them regardless but that doesn't mean you want need time to grieve for the life you wanted for your child. I love your friends POV.</p> <p>ETA: I'm a special education teacher who see parents struggle with the news that their child won't be "typical" or have the life they planned for them. Time always helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730825 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 18:44:46 +0000 birdofafeather 1730825@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we chose not to do genetic testing because we had no risk factors, there is no definite answers, only odds and close friends of ours had bad odds, spent the whole pregnancy worrying and then everything was fine. we did the anatomy scan because there are definitely things they can find out during that U/S that could effect delivery, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730727 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:58:16 +0000 Mae 1730727@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We chose not to test for three reasons. First (at least with the NT/quad screening)... the testing doesn't actually tell you anything. It gives you odds. Which would then make me worry. And then we'd have a second decision to make on if we should get an amnio to confirm, and weigh the risks of an amnio against needing to know. Second, I tend to be anxious/a worrier and so given #1, I thought that it was very likely that getting the tests done would cause me unnecessary stress/worry when odds are, everything was fine. Third, we wouldn't terminate regardless and no amount of tests guarantees me a healthy baby, so it seemed pointless. </p> <p>I'm really happy with our decision. Honestly it caused me a LITTLE bit a of worry on the day of our anatomy scan because I hadn't already gotten one "all clear." But our anatomy scan was fine so that was quickly over. Then I thought I would be worried as I approached my due date and in the delivery room--waiting to find out if LO was okay. But honestly I totally forgot about it. I just assumed everything was fine, and it was. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730713 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:40:47 +0000 Silva 1730713@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like to have as much information as possible. We would have terminated if the baby had an abnormality incompatible with life. (Also, we too would have loved the baby no matter what we found out) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730706 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:33:13 +0000 ShootingStar 1730706@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>For me personally, sticking my head in the sand does not make me feel better, it makes me more anxious. I would not have terminated unless it would have been better for the baby (ie short painful life) but I still wanted to be prepared. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730699 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:23:42 +0000 autumnlove 1730699@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I plan on testing for future pregnancies so I learn as much as possible about potential issues. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730697 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:22:43 +0000 spaniellove 1730697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I actually did the sequential screen, but wanted to tell you that it's not a yes/no result. They actually give you the odds, like 1/500 or 1/10000 and you have to make your peace with it. So if you think you'd be second guess it, it may not be for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/choosing-not-to-have-genetic-testing#post-1730691 Sun, 29 Jun 2014 16:15:04 +0000 lilteacherbee 1730691@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I did the MaterniT21 test because I miscarried a previous pregnancy due to a chromosomal abnormality. I had lots of anxiety when I got pregnant again and I needed something that would ease my mind. I felt comfortable with the reliability of MaterniT21 to trust the results.</p> <p>We would not have terminated had something been found through the test, though. I just wanted to be informed and know as much as possible. </p>