Want to have another baby but scared because..?

Question

When I was pregnant with my son, they did a triple screen test and said my son was at risk for being born with downs syndrome. He was born a healthy 7lb 4oz baby, but now Im scared to have another because that was in my blood, no? I mean they took it from me, and what if this next one is at risk too? Now, Im not saying there is anything wrong with having a baby with downs. They are loving and very sweet. BUT, I feel it would be wrong of me to bring someone into the world like that. People nowadays are very cruel.

But my question is: Do any of you think that test is very accurate and would my next be at risk becauyse that test told me my first moght have it?

I just wanted to say that I refused the amnio. I would have had and loved my baby if he did have it. I do not believe in getting abortions, so I would have definitely kept him.

Answer 1

Oh my goodness, those tests have a HIGH rate of inaccuracy!!! http://pregnancy.about.com/cs/afp/a/afptesting.htm

Not to mention that they are done usually 15-20 weeks into the pregnancy. Talk to your OBGYN about the test and about the fact that just because it came back once that way does not put you at a higher risk for anything.

BTW, the woman that wrote that DS is due to the sperm is totally off base, it is NOT a 'sex-linked' problem at all. If it were then there would be no increase in occurance with a womans age. It is considered a non-sex linked Chromosomes Disorder.

Also-----I will share that*** THAT*** is exactly why I NEVER would allow them to do those darn tests on me. No matter what, I would keep that baby---so what did it really matter?

Answer 2

They say the risk goes up with age, once you hit 35.

I have a friend who had a son with DS when she was 16.

And I have another friend who was 40 when she got pregnant for the first time, had the test and was told her son had a 1 in 3 chance of having DS. He's 100% perfectly, fine and just turned 5. Her test with her second baby, the following year, said a 1 in 4 chance and her daughter is fine also.

I don't believe in the test at all! And it's optional. If you don't want to take it, you don't have to. I was pregnant at 35 and I opted not to take it. And my daughter is 2 1/2 and perfectly healthy.

Why put yourself through the stress? I mean, what do you do with the results? What's your cut-off going to be? 1 in 5 ... 1 in 50 ... 1 in 500?

Best of luck :)

Answer 3

experience tells me dont even worry about that test. that happened to my sister& it was false.my 2nd childs test said i was at risk for trisomy 18-i was devastated until the amnio results came back negative.if you truly want a 2nd child you have to be prepared to love it no matter what.if the 2nd child does have down s thats no reason to abort it either. i was 27 when i had my 1st baby 3yrs ago-btw-he has downs.i would not trade him for the world.i wish i could shelter him from the world,but it is cruel for all of us .I am truly blessed.My son is truly blessed to have me as his mother-it would be a sad world w/o him in it .he is at the higher end of the spectrum,i know every one isnt as fortunate but you never know what u r gonna get.trust me downs is not the WORST thing that could happen.do i think your @ a higher risk -i ask the dr about my sister-each preg. is diff. so no
good luck -base your dec. on wanting a baby-not a stupid test-also be prepared 4 anything. very glad to hear u feel that way.


i am @ a higher risk having already had one.im pretty sure u r not .every one knows that ur risk increases @35, but did u know 80% of downs babies r born to mothers under 35.oh yeah less than 10% chance of it being because of a mans sperm.it was hard for me to decide 2 have another child,but i thought i planned on 2 before he was born, so why change my plans now-i try to make life as normal as possible& try not to let 'downs' influence my decisions -exept when it has to.good luck&dont worry

Answer 4

The triple screen test for downs syndrome has a lot of false positives. Your Dr should have informed you of that before the test. If your Dr had a real concern then he/she should have done an amnio on you.

Answer 5

those tests come back positive even when they're not at risk. i refused to have it taken because of that reason. i didn't want to go thru my pregnancy thinking that there's something wrong with my baby when there actually isn't. and if u dopn't plan on aborting no matter what, why do it? are you over 35? that's the only risk factor i've ever heard of.

Answer 6

Did you know that the % rate for the test is higher for a FALSE positive than a true positive. I would enjoy the gift of pregnancy, some people cannot. Don't focus on things like the test, I wouldn't and didn't even take it. Your love for your child will overcome anything, that should be your peace of mind!

Answer 7

Those tests, from what I've heard, are pretty accurate, but not always 100%. You may look into seeing a genetics expert before you have another child to see if you and your partner are both carriers. That should help you make your decision of having another child. Good Luck!!

Answer 8

Every Baby and every pregancy is different. As long as you are under 40, the risks are fairly low. Every baby is a gift from God. If you really want another baby, go for it. For more information, talk with your doctor about this.

Answer 9

Downs Syndrome comes from the male sperm. I know a women who has 7 kids and it wasn't till her last one that had it. it one of those things that it could be 1 out of a 1000. talk to your doctor about it.

Answer 10

you can never know for sure i mean if you think that you can handle it i me just think wouldnt you rather have been made fun of or not lived at all? I say go for it