I'm having a very hard time deciding if I should do it or not! I did not with my first, but I'm feeling more anxious this time around. My doctor doesn't push this, and says only about 15% of her patients do any screening. The free cell dna isn't available, so it would be the nt and bloodwork. Did you guys do this? Should I? I'm hoping it would offer me reassurance! But I'm also afraid it might make make crazy. For what it's worth, lo1 was fine, I don't have any risk factors.
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After our experiences, I wouldn't refuse any screenings. I don't think hydrocephalus would have shown up that early, but it really would have been nice to have not been hit with it at the anatomy scan.
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I did the first trimester screening and I've been in the unfortunate group that has had to deal with poor test results. After our Down's test came back as increased I took an additional blood test that our me back at low risk (after my second test). My PAPP-A was found to be very low so I will get additional ultrasounds to check on the growth of baby after 20 weeks. And now my AFP came back with increased levels. So I will be retaking that test in a week, and if it comes back high again CP is another thing my poor sonographer is going to have to check for in a few weeks.
I hindsight not doing these tests would have saved me all this stress and worry, but not doing them also would have been ignoring problems/ issues that now can be monitored and we can be prepared for.
For my next child I'll probably do the testing again because at least I am prepared now. -
I took any/all testing offered to me. Most women screen negative, so you wouldn't have any increased worry. You would obviously be anxious if you screened positive, but then there are more test options available to you, and I wanted to be as prepared as possible.
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I did for both pregnancies and glad I did. It was easy and nice to see the babies. They actually look like babies at that point and it was very comforting. I'm surprised your doc says only 15% do it. Everyone I know has.
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@auggiefrog: what is cp? Thanks for sharing your experience!
@travellingbee: yes it's apparently not popular here! Out of my group of friends 2/5 have done it eta: I'm seeing an ob at a large hospital do its not like it's a home birth community or anything!
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I'm pregnant with my fourth and decided to do the early testing with this pregnancy. Ultimately I decided to do it because the more knowledge I had the better. I'm glad I did, because it gave us piece of mind, knowing that the baby was healthy!
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@MamaBehr: did you decline with your others?
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@gotkimchi: Ceribal Palsy. I probably completely botched the spelling though.
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This is my 3rd child and we did all the testing. Personally, I'd rather be prepared for a special needs child then finding out right after delivery.
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For those who tested, did you get results the same day?
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@gotkimchi: where do you live? I live in California and all of my friends opted for the first trimester screen or the NIPT (cell free dna). I'm surprised the latter isn't offered to you as an option! My friend who lives in Hawaii says over there, it's standard for 35+ to get amnio instead of 1st trimester screening so it's interesting to see how it differs by state/region.
I'll be doing one of the NIPT, whichever one is covered by my insurance.
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I always do all the non-invasive testing offered. It's nice to have the peace of mind, but if there were an issue I'd prefer to prepare ahead.
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@gotkimchi: well not the blood work results, but I knew all of his organs were functioning and looked normal. The blood work came a week later, I think.
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@gotkimchi: For me, the blood tests have taken a few days to process. We ended up having the Harmony test done after the initial bad screening, and that can take up to a week to two weeks.
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With DS1 and DS2, I didn't do any testing (I was 33 and 35). I was ok with that. This time I got the maternity 21 test last week (37 this time). I asked about it and found out that my insurance will cover it based on my age. I figured it wouldn't hurt to get it and I would get to find out the sex sooner. But for me it really isn't something I feel necessary. Everyone is different and has different experiences and comfort levels.
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@starlitsky: I'm in wi
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@gotkimchi: I'm in WI as well!
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@auggiefrog: nice! Where? I'm outside Milwaukee
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I have and will take any and all non-invasive testing available. I don't see any downsides to it - whether you would continue the pregnancy or not if the result was bad, isn't it always better to be informed?
For the NT scan, the official results came in two weeks after the test was done. I was able to find out the nuchal folds during the scan, but it is that combined with the blood work that gives you your results. So whilst I felt fairly comfortable after the scan (nuchal folds well within the normal range), it wasn't until the two weeks that I got the official results.
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@gotkimchi: well we did it with this second pregnancy because I'm 35. If it wasn't my age, we wouldn't have done it. And my sister had a problem found with her seconds baby when doing the test.
We didn't with baby #1. And honestly, after hearing the percentages, the blood work would have been sufficient with finding out if baby has risk factors. Then just wait a few weeks to find out gender. They make you decide just blood work or both before you go in so I wouldn't do the ultrasound unless the bloodwork showed so something... Just a thought -
@gotkimchi: I am as well. We live is West Allis.
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After my experience, if I ever decide to have another kid (extremely unlikely!) I will definitely take every test available to me.
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Yes I do it and am a big proponent based on the fact that knowledge is power. I'd rather know in advance so we can prepare physically, mentally, emotionally, financially. Also, so we know if baby needs any procedures soon after birth we can do research and find the best doctors to do it. I just can't imagine dealing with all that while adjusting to a newborn and finding out that news.
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@gotkimchi: no it takes a few days
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@BandDmommy: at the ultrasound did they tell you everything looked ok? I couldn't deal with them not saying anything! I understand the bloodwork can take a few days to get your risk on the algorithm but hopefully the scan reassured you
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I have gotten all non invasive testing, as others have said I don't see any reason not to--the rate of false positives is extremely low.
We were able to get the results of the ultrasound (the neck measurement) the same day from the doctor, and the bloodwork took another several days.
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I chose not to because, after 2 losses, I just wanted to simplify things. We also didn't do betas or the quad screen at 16 weeks...we relied on the anatomy scan. I think you should do whatever gives you peace. For some, that means testing and, for others, it means opting out.
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My doctor didn't want me to because I have no risk factors and he thought it would make me more anxious if there were positive results.
I got the NT & bloodwork done anyway because for me, knowledge is always, always better than being in the dark. In the end, the good results reassured me SO much and helped decrease my first-trimester anxiety substantially.
I believe even if the results came back not-so-great, I would have been fine until an official diagnosis was made (instead of just risk estimates). I am the kind of person that is very comforted by statistics and knowledge; and I'd rather be prepared sooner rather than later.
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