Questions & Answers

Thank you all (well most really) for your comments!

Hey ladies, I felt compelled to be a buffer here lol. I think I see what lucky is trying to say. I agree with both sides btw. Many couples do indeed terminate solely based on those tests and sadly I know of two, so it does happen more often than you know. As for the amnio that often follows these tests, there is a small chance of spontaneous abortion and this can sadly happen at any stage of pregnancy, not necessarily right after an amnio. Many couples refuse testing for this reason and feel that they could never forgive themselves if they were to lose the baby. For myself, I refused testing simply because I would have my baby no matter what and worrying about what might be or the severity of the condition would not prepare me for what's to come but more or less make me worry more and possibly take away from the pregnancy experience. I prefer to face everything when the time comes. It's a personal decision and one that nobody should judge. Take care ladies!

It sounds like you feel comfortable with a noninvasive test first, then if there is any indication that one or both of the babies may have something unexpected, you may consider invasive testing. This is certainly very common, and in fact most women who choose to do noninvasive testing have this strategy in mind. One thing I would suggest, however, is that you pursue this test:

http://www.sequenomcmm.com/Home/health-care-providers/Trisomy-21/About-the-Test

as opposed to the first trimester screen that only analyzes the proteins in your blood instead of the quantity of actual chromosomal material. Still do the NT (nothing can replace the information that provides), but consider this newer noninvasive testing called NIPT (noninvasive prenatal testing) through the company Sequenom; the test is called MaterniT21 (they are approved for twins). The false positive/negative result rates are MUCH lower so you can make a more informed decision than with traditional biochemical testing.

Actually I'm not ignorant I don't believe in those tests. And find them unnecessary at any stage of pregnancy. I just contribute it to the parents being selfish. Just being I'm against them doesn't make me ignorant it just means that no matter how my baby turns out I'd love my baby. Instead of calling me rude names why don't you look up how many parents actually terminate based on the results of tests like that.

Luckymommy that's really ignorant. Some people like to plan and be prepared. If we knew our child would have special needs we would have changed how we planned after-birth care once I was due back at work. Also, if you find out your baby isn't going to survive, some people like to be prepared for that. No one terminates because of the results of a 1st trimester screen. No. One. They have further testing done if it's indicated as necessary to get more information. Everyone on this planet KNOWS FTS is just a starting point to gauge whether or not the parents need to find out more information. It isn't a definite anything-just probabilities. Do not judge other people or self-righteously assume they want to be informed because they would terminate a less than perfect baby.

Kelliers- I totally agree. Who wouldn't want another peek at the little nuggets? When I book the appointment I'll let them know so they can advise me on what to do. After further researching I found a helpful PDF. It says " Blood tests alone to screen for Down's are not currently recommended for multiples bc markers in the blood are affected by the presence of more than on baby." They recommend a Nuchal Translucency (NT) scan. Along with the mother's age as well as the blood tests they can calculate the risk. Jy- I think we'd go along with your suggestion, if everything comes back normal than I don't plan on doing an invasive testing. Mayebaby- Not only am I sorry for your loss, i'm sorry that you have to deal with ppl like luckymommy. Again, thank you all for your suggestions and comments!!

I wouldn't care if I was having twins or not. I don't think anyone should do those tests, they wanted a baby and they should love the baby no matter what. Not to mention all the people who get the wrong results and terminate their pregnancy because of it when everything is really actually normal. I didn't get tests when I was pregnant with my daughter and she came out perfect and I've refused testing for this one as well.

I don't see why you can't do the NT scan? Maybe the bloodwork won't be helpful because you will have higher levels but I thought they could adjust it for twins? Those are non-invasive and you get to see babies which is always a treat. It's the first time they really look human :)

@luckmommy25, that answer is so ignorant and as u have clearly never been thru it dnt judge so quickly.
Myself and my husband did this testing and they came up with soft markers, this was our first baby after trying for 3 years, we were terrified to say the least, we decided to have the amnio and find out for sure NOT so we could terminate our baby, so we could prepare the best care for her after birth and for the rest of her life, we wanted to be more educated so we cld properly take care of our little blessing, just to note, when it comes to ur baby, there is never less then perfect regardless of what chromosomes they have! We are glad we had the tests because at 33 weeks our daughter passed away and we gave birth to her 3 days later, had we not done the testing we wld never had prepared for this outcome and this wld have been a terrible outcome, losing a child is hard, but being a little bit prepared helped!! GL

My doctor had explained to me that most of the non-invasive testing such as the "blood test" for down's syndrome in the first trimester just shows an estimation of risk, and if that risk is high enough (as in if the test looks positive) then more invasive testing can take place in the second semester such as a the amniocentesis which is more accurate because it actually looks at all the chromosomes in detail.

Maybe this is what your doctor had tried to tell you but it seems like they did a poor job of it!

I personally decided to forego any genetic testing because I didn't feel like it. Luckily everything looks fine on the 20w scan; by measuring femur length, etc.

One test that is non-invasive that you could consider is getting you and your partner screened for cystic fibrosis to determine if your baby has a chance of developing it through inheritance. You can read about it here: http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/carrier-screening-for-cystic-fibrosis.aspx