Downs Syndrome testing? Would you want to know?

Question

I have the option of testing for Downs Syndrome. I think I've come to the conclusion that I wouldn’t even want to know, but I'm not sure. What’s your opinion on the matter? Would you want to know? What’s the good in knowing?

Answer 1

My son has Down syndrome. We did the triple screen initially, not even thinking about what it was for...the doctor just lumped it in with some other stuff. We were told we had a 1-8 chance of having a child with Down syndrome and then promptly told that the test has a high false-positive rate. We didn't care really, we opted not to have an amnio because this was our child and nothing was going to stop us from having him. Well, he has Down syndrome and he is the greatest gift in the world!! I cannot imagine life without him.

If I get pregnant again, I will not have the test. The results won't alter the course of my pregnancy and the risk of miscarriage is to high a price to pay.

Answer 2

I personally did not test for down syndrome for my first daughter, because I felt the same way as you. It wouldn't make me terminate the pregnancy or love my baby any less so I opted against it. However, for my second baby my nurse talked me into it, here's why:
It's true that you wouldn't love your baby any less, but you should know before hand for a couple of reasons. 1. You will grieve, you will be heart broken, and you will have to learn to deal with it. If you know before hand you can get all that out of the way instead of trying to care for a new baby and feeling like this is your fault, why me, etc. The baby won't notice if you are upset about it now, as much as when she's a newborn and her mom is crying. 2. You need to be prepared. If you know ahead of time you can read up and research and learn more about downs and how to care for a child with this abnormality.
Also, once the test comes back negative, you won't have that nagging doubt.
Keep in mind though, that downs testing does have a lot of false positives, so even if your test comes out abnormal, your baby may still be fine, but your doctor can discuss that with you better than I can.

Answer 3

Okay...you are probably talking about a Quad Marker....a series of tests they run to find out if your baby will have certain birth defects and so forth. I really didn't want to do it either. They are wrong alot of the time...but here is what my Doc said:
It's not just to see about defects the baby will have when it is born...but other issues that happen in the womb. Also they test for things that sometimes may show it would be better if your baby were born early like 32 or 34 weeks rather than wait the full term...because there would be more complications. Also she said it gives them an idea of who is more at risk and what to watch for. And if you do get a positive they will monitor you and baby more closely. Mine said they have such advanced ultrasounds now that help identify if you get a false positive or not.

So this has alot of benefits.

Answer 4

I didn't have the test done and didn't want to know. She looked fine at my 22 week ultrasound. My husband and I would never even consider having an abortion anyway, so there was no need to know. Also, the triple screen test they do for downs syndrome has a LOT of false positives. That would be horrible and upsetting to be told your baby has downs when they actually don't, and have to deal with the thought of that for the rest of your pregnancy.

Answer 5

The good in knowing would be to prepare yourself for whats gonna happen when the baby is born. You can research Down Syndrome, talk to professionals, etc. I had the test done during both my previous pregnancies.. not because I thought I wouldnt love the baby the same as if he/she were healthy but because I wanted to get informed if the baby were to have down syndrome. I've heard of false postives but havent met anyone who has had one. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I didn't do any of the genetic testing for my two kids. I would have had them no matter what and didn't want the slim chance of spending the rest of my pregnancy full of anxiety. Also, I know two women (one of the twice!) that tested positive for Down Syndrome on the initial tests so they went to have an amnio and the baby was fine.

Answer 7

that test has proven not to be 100% accurate. My moms friend got it done and the test came back possitive she desided to keep the baby and spent her pregnancy preparing how to care for a child with down syndrome. She ended up giving birth to a perfectly healthy baby, no down syndrome

Answer 8

I tested for it. I wanted to know. Even if this baby would of had that I was going to love it no matter what. Sounds like you will also. There's not really good in knowing. But at least you would know and could prepare yourself for it.
Good luck with your decision and I hope it's nothing to worry about. Best wishes!

Answer 9

Well for me personally i would want to know. I would want to know so i could prepare myself mentally and emotionally - i would want to know so i could research the possible special needs and special care i would need to provide - basically i would want to know because i would want to keep myself well informed. But ultimately the decision is up to you. Would knowing change whether or not you kept baby? Obviously if it would then this is a deciding factor. Would you feel better prepared if you knew ? (assuming baby did have Downs Syndrome of course). I think you need to weigh up the pros and cons of whats important to you and base your decision on that.

Answer 10

I would want to know, I have Downs on both sides of my family, I took the test. Luckily all turned out well for me, but it would be good to be prepared if my child did have it. You can prepare and learn about any special needs they might have, problems they might be susceptible to and find support groups.