Answered by -Lee-B - Oct. 23, 2012 11:56pm
I found this decision really hard. I don't think I want to know as it wouldn't change anything but add stress to pregnancy. I have worked with a handful of kids with down syndrome and have studied it a lot so feel I have a basic understanding to work with. But I kind of think it would help my husband to know ahead of time to prepare (he's an engineer and needs to know/understand things). If it were all 100% confirmatory with the tests maybe I'd be more sure in my decision but find the results a bit doubtful.
Anyways I ended up doing the full testing. The ultrasound at 12 weeks and 2 step bloodwork. Largely because it meant an ultrasound being booked earlier for me as they hadn't mentioned doing an ultrasound yet other wise!! If you missed the 12 week ultrasound measurement then I'd be more weary of what the results say as the one step blood work (skipping the ultrasound and blood work at 12weeks) is more likely to have false readings (thats my understanding).
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Answered by SydneeMomma - Oct. 24, 2012 1:35pm
There is a new test called "MaterniT21" that's just a blood test where they sort out the baby's DNA from's yours. Just a regular blood draw so no risk to you or baby. It's 99% accurate, and insurance often covers it. I recommend that one if you're concerned about the risks of the amnio. That's what I did. Best wishes!
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Answered by bahoward - Oct. 24, 2012 1:38pm
my blood test came back abnormal and i was sent to another doctor and he did a more in depth ultrasound and said he didnt see anything abnormal and my regular ob redid the test and it came back normal i was offered to have an amnio but i refused
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Answered by LalaRiley - Oct. 23, 2012 4:31pm
I just signed paperwork to have my blood test done yesterday. I've read online that there are other things that can be done besides the amnio, with lower risk of miscarriage. I'm not 100% sure what they're called but I was just looking into them last night. The What to Expect website has a lot of information on prenatal testing. Like you said, the chances are low since you are young, but it would probably be more reassuring to get the blood test back all clear than to wonder about it through the rest of the pregnancy. Good luck.
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Answered by marney529 - Oct. 25, 2012 3:53pm
So my DH and I have decided to skip the blood test all together because what is it really going to change?We will still have our baby and that is all that matters.He or she will be loved no matter what. Thank you everyone for your imput and all the information you gave me.
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Answered by Mrsfroomie - Oct. 24, 2012 1:16pm
The amnio is not a big deal at all. I have had two and will 100% have another.
If you have an experienced doctor and you check out their track record it's really not a terribly risky procedure.
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Answered by nwelch - Oct. 23, 2012 11:13pm
I avoided the whole test in general. I didn't want to know, it wasn't going to change my mind about having the baby I would keep it either way, so I didn't do the test.
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Answered by a member - Oct. 23, 2012 8:54pm
The screening is supposed to be done between 11 & 13+6 wks. The ultrasound screen is a moot point at this stage because the measurements of the nuchal fold need to be done then. The blood screening will still show if theres anything abnormal but there are alot of instances of false positives.
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Answered by momtobe1992 - Oct. 23, 2012 5:02pm
I had a screening around my 15-20th week. I told the doctor right away that I didn't want a amnio. According to what my doctor told me, the test can come out abnormal and the baby can still be fine. A abnormal test doesn't mean for sure that baby has spinal defects or down syndrome.
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Answered by a member - Oct. 23, 2012 4:08pm
I have had this screening done with all my pregnancies. Unfortunately for us we had abnormal results, but we decided not to have the amnio. It is up to you if you want an amnio even with abnormal results. Don't let the doctor talk you into it if you don't want it. They can do an advanced ultrasound also to see if they can see the defect.
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