Can you refused certain prenatal tests (such as HIV, thyroid, diabetes)?

Question

Just wanted to know if I had a right to refuse certain tests?

Some of the things I already got tested for at a health fair this summer.

I told my doctor this but she still wants to do them anyway, after I told her I didn't want to

Answer 1

change doctors. u have a right to refuse it, i don't know why you don't want to though. those test can save u and ur baby gestational diabetes is very dangerous.
the reason i say to change dr. is because she is not respecting what u want. you know how they say to make a birth plan, what if u told her what u wanted and she decided that even though your plan is ok and safe,she still wants to do it her way because thats the way she always does it. for example u say no pain medication and she says no, u need the epidural.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

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Answer 4

They will try to make you, but in most cases you can refuse them.

The diabetes test you already did doesnt count. Regular diabetes and gestational diabetes are completely unrelated, the later only showing up DURING pregnancy and not before or after. So you should do that test if she believes there is cause for it.

Thyroid and HIV are routine and generally done at your pregnancy screening visit where they draw blood for an OB pannel. Refusing them is just silly. They're going to take the blood anyway.

The laws are changing now, where if you refuse some tests and the baby is born with defects or problems YOU can go to jail for endangerment. Its retarded since you can kill that baby and get off scott free... but if you refuse a test and its born with illnesses its your asss.

If you're under 30, dont have any family history of the four tests conditions, and are in good health, you generally should and certainly can refuse the quad screening tests. Theyre usually about 50% false positives for down syndrom and spina bifida. Everything else is in your best interest to go along with.

Answer 5

Your body changes alot during pregnancy. I can see not testing for HIV since you had a test done recently. However, there is such a thing as gestational diabetes. Basically, you are diabetic while you are pregnant and that pose serious harm to you and your baby during your pregnancy. I don't remember there being a thyroid test during my series of test but I don't remember everything they tested for. You can refuse the tests but it's not recommended because they not only test for diabetes and such in you, they test for the possibility of birth defects as well. Your doctor still wants to do them to make sure you have a healthy pregnancy. But like I said, it's up to you.

Answer 6

I have a question FOR YOU. Why would you risk your baby's health just because you don't WANT one? I HATE needles, prins and pricks, and I especially love my modesty, but when I found out I was pregnant, I did it all, just ensure the safest possible pregnancy and healthiest life for my baby. The Pap smear IS important. If you have something wrong, it could pass to your baby. And you may not know you have something wrong unless you get a pap. An ultrasound CAN'T pick up a disease. Blood tests are especially important. They can tell you if your baby has something wrong with its body, heart, or brain, like Down Syndrome or Aspergers. Deliverying vaginally is also much healthier than C-Section babies. Why? Because the baby is exposed to bacteria in the birth canal that helps the baby's immune system. Also, there's a longer recovery time and you'll need help even holding the baby for weeks after the surgery. So think about that.

Answer 7

You have a right to refuse them but why are you so worried about it if you know that you don't have any diseases? All it is, is a blood test. I felt the same way when I was pregnant but the nurses explained to me that the people delivering your baby wants to know whether you have HIV or not so that they can take precautions with you and your baby. It's not really so much for you as it is them. It's no big deal. Also, some people have diabetes when they are pregnant even if they don't when they aren't. So it doesn't hurt to get checked out.

Answer 8

OF course you can refuse, but why would you? These tests are there as a nuisance but to protect your child. IF you have gestational diabetes and the docto'rs don't know, you can lose you baby and may die yourself. If you have HIV, precautions have to be taken to ensure your safety and the baby's safety upon birth. These are important tests. Just becuase you had them done at the health fair doesn't mean that you won't need them again during your pregnancy. This should really be the least of your worries.

Answer 9

you can refuse to have the tests but why would you your doctor is only looking after you and your baby's health if your doctor wants to run the tests just to be on the safe side you should let her if the results all come back neg that's a good result but when you are pregnant your body changes diabetes is a serious complication in pregnancy you could be risking your baby,s life the doctor is just making sure that everything is going OK

Answer 10

You can refuse the HIV test, but you absolutely should NOT refuse the diabetes test because gestational diabetes only shows up after you are so far along. If you were tested earlier this summer for diabetes, those results will not still apply. Gestational diabetes can be harmful to your baby at the time of birth if undiagnosed, so you definitely want to know if you have it.

Answer 11

As far I as I know......in the NY state area, it is not mandatory that you take the test, but I should say.....they try very hard to encourage you to take it. If you refuse, then it is your right. The law states that any parent that does not take the test....then it is mandatory that the newborn will have to be tested. So pretty much if you don't take it, they will do the test on the newborn baby. Most mothers take it because they don't want to inflect that unnecessary pain upon their child. So it's not like their giving you much of a choice.

I would encourage you to take it for the health of you and your newborn. Lets starts off on the right foot and give both of you a fighting chance. Especially in this world where so many things can go wrong.