Pre-Natal testing: does it make sense from your perspective?

Question

So what happens if you have this test done and find out that your unborn child has something that is bad....what can you do about it anyway? Seems to me that the only alternative is abortion. I was just wondering what is good about pre-natal testing and why it makes sense. Your thoughts?

Thank you.

Answer 1

I had some tests although I am very against abortion (although I don't wish to impose my beliefs on others). I thought I would want to be prepared. The vast majority of times, all it does is put your mind at rest that everything is ok.
PS I don't think you are being shallow, i think you are being sensible faced with a very difficult decision.

Answer 2

I have had just the non-invasive procedures (ultrasound/blood tests) done until my second pregnancy. They found physical problems with our baby and suggested (but didn't push) an amniocentisis to see if there was a genetic problem. We did the amnio and he inherited a problem from my husband. We decided to end the pregnancy, though now we know we would not do that again. I have had a miscarriage since and am now pregnant a fourth time. I will not be doing any of the invasive procedures (there's one that can be done at 11 weeks, but gives a higher instance of miscarriage than an amnio). We are planning on continuing the pregnancy even if there are problems, so why go through this testing when we could end up losing a perfectly healthy baby??? I wish that we knew then what we know now and we never would have done that to our second son.

I believe that prenatal testing can be useful in that if the baby has problems that need to be taken care of right after birth (or if the baby has to be taken early etc), then those issues can be dealt with in advance by going to a hospital where those special needs can be met.

Answer 3

No, there is another alternative. You could choose to take care of the child regardless of what the test says and you will be better prepared for it. My wife is also expecting and we had these tests done. But before, we talked about what we would do in the event that something was discovered and we decided on abortion. And I will agree with some of the other answers that this may be selfish, and in a way it is. However, I look at it this way - a sick child will suffer. No matter how easy you try to make their life, they will suffer. Both physically and emotionally. They will not be able to do everything that a "normal" child can. And in all likelihood, the parent will outlive that child. I always like to think that quality of life is better than quantity, and I would not like to see my child, look into his eyes every day and know that I could have prevented his pain, and my own pain, and that of the rest of my family's. I think it makes sense.

Answer 4

For me, testing wasn't important -- it wouldn't have changed my mind at all about whether to have the baby or not. Too many of my friends had false positives on their AFP tests for it to hold much merit in my book. The chances of a spontaneous abortion were greater than the chances of them finding anything wrong with my babies through an amnio. The ONLY reason I went ahead and had the AFP with both my pregnancies was my husband. He respected that I would continue the pregnancy no matter what, but wanted to know so he could be better prepared.

I think it is great that the tests are offered. But like any other medical test, the result have to be taken as an educated guess, not a definate.

Answer 5

Well for some people they feel that they would be better prepared if there was something wring with their baby. They would love them just as much, but they could research what the problem is and educate themselves so that they would know what they were dealing with. There are wonderful support groups out there and they could get involved with those so they have other parents to talk to.

I chose not to get the triple screen test, because they are not very accurate, but did get the sonogram where they can detect a lot of problems. Either way, there are a ton of things that can be wrong with a baby and dont show up on any prenatal test.

Answer 6

Pre-natal testing is a broad area. Speaking generally, the outcome of prenatal testing might prompt the parents to decide on:

- an abortion
- pre-natal surgery
- treatment to manage disorder right at birth, and possible arrangements beforehand.
- the parents might decide to do nothing, but still prefer to be mentally prepared for challenges before birth. That way, as much as possible, birth can still be a happy event, since the 'bad' news has allready been processed.

Answer 7

I think it's just a way for people to be prepared for the specific abnormality, if your child should end up being born with one.

I felt the same way for the most part and opted not to have certain tests done (like the amnio) simply because it didn't make a difference to me, I wouldn't have an abortion after carrying the baby for 5 months or longer (when mosts tests are done).

Answer 8

If you find out something is bad does not neccassarily mean you need to get an abortion. I think it is good so you can be prepared for extra care your child may need if it does have a problem. A lot of times you may get a test that may be abnormal and then once your child is born it is fine. Mostly the test are to let you know the progression and health of your baby, to let you know, so you can not only be informed but be prepared as well.

Answer 9

Personally, if my doctor recommends a test, I usually listen to him. If you are concerned that you might find out your child has a disease or a condition like downs' syndrome, you could choose not to have the test. If I had the test and it showed something was wrong with my child that wouldn't stop them from living, then I'd be glad for the extra time before birth to come to grips with the situation. Every child is special, and I have been told by many parents of special needs children that they are worth every moment.

Answer 10

Problems can be detected that may be able to be repaired while still in the womb or shortly after birth. If there are issues that will need to be addressed advance preparation can make things less stressful once the child arrives.

A neighbor of mine has four sons; the youngest has Downs Syndrome. His parents were aware that this was probably going to be a problem. They were ready. Their friends, family and neighbors were ready and the little boy was welcomed into a community that adores him.