Should I ditch this appointment?

Question

I'm suppose to have an appointment later today to have some blood drawn to do the triple screen test to check for abnormalities. I'm deathly afraid of needles and I don't really see the need to go to this appointment because regardless if something is wrong, I still plan on keeping it. Is it wrong for me if I ditch the appt?

Answer 1

I didn't have any genetic testing done in any of my pregnancies (no amnio, no triple-screen). If there is no history of birth defects in your family and you would want ot keep the baby anyway, I see no reason for this intrusion...Have you had an ultrasound yet and did the baby look physically normal? Just curious. As long as this is the only thing that they are testing for then I say cancel it if it will make you feel better.

Answer 2

If it's just for the screen, and you wouldn't abort -- by all means, ditch the appointment. Blood tests are no fun, and there's nothing genuinely useful they can do if a problem does show up.

There're a lot of false positives, in which case all you'll do is worry for months, and possibly be pushed to have the risky sorts of testing -- amnio/CVS.

The people muttering about "your baby's health" are a little off the mark, I think.

If you want to put your mind at ease, call and ask what would happen if something did turn out askew. Could anything be done in utero if a problem was detected? What will this pick up that ultrasounds won't? Etc.

The only possible advantage I can see is that a problem like spina bifida would probably mean surgery for the baby shortly after birth, but...knowing about it in advance is a very, very limited amount of help there, and -- well, ultrasounds are very useful at detecting those sorts of problems.

If you're not going to abort -- and I don't blame you -- there's _nothing_ wrong with declining the test.

Answer 3

I wouldn't ditch the appointment. I'm not sure how far along you are but those tests are not only to test if something's wrong with the baby but they are also to make sure nothing's going on with you. If something is, it doesn't mean you would have to terminate the pregnancy. They do a test at 28 weeks (?) for gestational diabetes. That most certainly will not end your pregnancy. It would just mean a change in your diet. They could find something that says you need to be put on bedrest. They could find nothing. I'd go take the test. If I remember right, you get one set of tests done within the first trimester then next set isn't until 7 months. (That's the gestational diabetes test). If you're afraid of needles, you should take someone with you. (Mom, best friend, boyfriend/husband) I'm glad they did those tests because my husband and I have different blood types and if the baby had my husband's blood type (which she does), it would make future pregnancies very difficult. If you're concerned about what they are testing for, ask your doctor when you go in next. Ask them what they are testing for and why. Let your doctor know of your fears and he/she can help. Good luck.

Answer 4

You have the right to not want the test and I think you should at least cancel the appointment if you decide that you're not going to go through with it. I would like to say though I don't really agree with you allowing your fear of needles to stand in the way. I think it's great that you already know you will keep your baby even if something is wrong but suppose it was helpful for you to know ahead of time? You will experience alot of issues during pregnancy that make you nervous or uptight or even downright scared but you have to try to work through it without letting fear take over. Good luck to you and your baby !

Answer 5

That is a personal question! Because of the fact that yes I can tell you sure yeah ditch the appointment but what if there is abnormalities and all you had to do what show up for this and they could have caught them before something could happen? If they are lookin for somethin that not that important then I'd say yeah sure go ahead. But i'd think that through before you run. Im affraid of needles too.. but when they had to take blood, i just turned my head the otherway and thought of other things. It doesn't hurt, there is times in life when you will have to do things you dont want to.. and taking blood seems to be one! you'll be ok, just let the doctors do what they have to, it will probably be in your best interest just to do it. It'll be over in seconds! Dont worry yourself!

Answer 6

Please, do not skip this appoint. It is great of you to have come to the conclusion that you'll keep the baby no matter what's wrong, but finding out IF there is anything wrong with the baby will allow your doctor to care for you and the baby appropriately. If your blood work shows normal, you will get a routine care. On the other hand, if your blood work shows that there is something that is potentially serious, your doctor will monitor you accordingly.

So you don't want your doctor to assume that everything is fine when it may not be.

Answer 7

I woudl at least call and cancel the appt.
Being afraid of needles...well...you will need to get over that at some point...there are alot of tests that you will NEED to get (that are IMPORTANT to get) during pregnancy...so keep that in mind as well...however there is no need to go to this appt if you are not planning on terminating the pregnancy if there is something wrong.

I, like you, did not get the triple screen done...nor the quad screen....for the same reasons.
However, there are many times and tests that I had to get done (normal testing) like the glucose tolorence test (to test for diabeties)...that was one prick in teh arm...then the three hour glucoas test, that was 4 rpicks in the arm.

So just be aware that getting over your fear of needles is something you need to work on...it woudlnt be smart to ditch/cancel the other appts that you will need bloodowrk done for! ;)

But yeah...for this one...just call and cancel...they wont give you trouble about it. If they do...tell them that it is YOUR choice and you are refusing the test!

Good luck and congrats!

(also, I wasnt trying to be mean or discredit your fear of needles...I just wanted you to be aware that eventually you will have to go through it...not tryign to be mean or scare you).

Answer 8

dont ditch the appointment but if you dont want to do the triple screen just tell them you decided against it. they will still probably do a regular visit, weight, pee, doppler, ect.

i opted against the triple screen because like you i would have kept the baby no matter what, and those tests are horribly inaccurate and can make you worry for months over nothing. the only reason to take them in my opinion is if you are at high risk for the abnormalities they are testing for.

Answer 9

I went through these tests and I didn't know it at the time but I had a false reading they told me my baby tested positive for downs so they wante to do an amnio, but that could cause a misscarriage I said no they sent mefor a level 3 ultrasound where this doctore can measure the baby an features to tell you if the baby has downs Thank God mine didn't, but the stress that it put me through was pure hell, even with being told every thing is alright you still have that doubt until the baby is born, these tests are not necessary so if you are against them cancel, but when the doctor wants you to have the gestational diabetes do go to that one. what ever you decide good luck.

Answer 10

Do not skip your appt. If there is somethig wrong with the baby, depending on what it is, doctors may be able to give meds to correct it or make it so it is not so significant or at least so it does not get any worse. Also, it is better to know sooner and be able to prepare yourself then to find out later. This wasy if there is an issue you can read up on it and research it so that once your child arrives you will understand what to do.