First trimesters screening . . . I need advice. . . Please help?

Question

My husband and I lost a baby at 26 weeks (last Aug) to a rare non-genetic birth defect. The birth defect affects 1 in every 21,000. I am 35 and my husband is 42. We had an appt yesterday and everything went great until she asked about first trimester testing. We have three other heathy children and never had these tests. We are both worried all the time anyway and would like some reassurance. We would like to have the tests done so we can have some peace of mind. However, the paper our doctor gave us said that the test will detect a problem 85% of the time. It also says that 5% of the time it will give a false positive result. If my math is correct that means that 20% of the time the test will give you an inaccurate result. Maybe I am crazy, but in my opinion 20% is a very high number. How could this test make you feel anything other then confused?? The last thing I need right now is something else to worry about, but I never want to have an medical induction at 26 + weeks again. If there is a problem I want to find out early. What should I do?? Please help me

Answer 1

They often push for these test in woman over 35 which I am sure you are aware of. My friend actually went through this. She did not know she pregnant for 3 months, she was on the shot so that is why she was confused, and she did some heavy drinking. They ran these test and she ended up in a certain percentile, sorry can't remember exact figures. Well what happened next is that she went to a specialists who did further testing and everything ended up being fine. Basically, your math is right, the first round of test only give you a "suggestion" that something may be wrong. If you score in a certain percentile they will send you to someone who will give you a more definitive answer.
My advice would be if you are that worried have the test done, but keep in mind you may worry over NOTHING. Just make sure you have someone explain every figure to you. They didn't do this with my friend and she cried everyday until the specialist explained everything.
Good luck to you and I bet everything is just fine :)

Answer 2

That is something you have to look into your heart to find the answer to. If there was something wrong would it make a difference?? Would you want to terminate the pregnancy if there is something wrong?? Only you and your husband can answer these questions for you not some strangers on the internet.
With my first pregancy I had the testing done, my boyfriend then informained me that if something was wrong I would terminate the preganacy. Thankful nothing was wrong with my child. With the second preganancy I took all wondering out of the picture and didn't get the tests done. I knew either way I didn't care I would have my baby no matter what.
Good Luck in whatever you decide. I hope you end up with another healthy baby.
I can tell you on my parenting message board at ivillage.com there were about 25 women that got the tests done that had them come back positive. None of those women had anything wrong with their babies after further testing were done.

Answer 3

First of all, I'm very sorry about your loss, that must have been terribly painful, especially so late in the pregnancy.

The screening tests you're talking about (probably AFP and nuchal translucency) aren't definitive tests, which is somewhat frustrating, but knowing what they are and what they can and can't do is helpful going in to it. I had both done recently and even though we were planning on NOT doing an amnio, had there been alarming results from the nuchal (which appears to be better than the AFP from what I've learned) we might have decided for the amnio just to have as much info as possible.

One thing you have to think about is what you'd do with the results if they were concerning. If the AFP and/or nuchal greatly elevated your chances of having abnormalities, would you do an amnio, which is more definitive but more risky? Then if the amnio was positive for something abnormal, would you terminate? [these are questions you have to ask yourself... not meaning to ask you to answer them here! :)]

Or would having the results, bad or not, at least give you something to prepare for during the last few months of pregnancy, which is how we were looking at it.

We had great nuchal results and decided that was that and didn't do the amnio due to its risks. But as I mentioned, if we'd had alarming results from the nuchal, we probably would've opted for the amnio to at least have time to prepare, especially being that we're expecting twins.

Good luck with your decision and being that your other baby was lost due to non-genetic abnormalities, chances are in your favor that your new baby will be healthy!

Answer 4

The pre screen will give u results for birth defects and u r right, sometimes they are not accurate.
What I did was ask myself if it would make a difference in if i chose to keep the child or abort in the event of a defect.
My immediate decision was that it would not make a difference. Either way, its what God gave me and I would not choose to abort in any case.
So, ask yourself this question and determine if you want the tests done.
Also, if u choose to test and then they want an amnio centesis to confirm, there is a 1 in 500 that u will miscarry.
There are risks all the way around.
I elected to do nothing. I am 32 weeks now and will handle whatever God gives me. I am thrilled either way....:)
Good luck to u hun. and congrats on baby #4!!

Answer 5

I doesn't sound like the test is going to give you a peace of mind. I know someone who had the test and was told her daughter would be born with Down Syndrome. She ended up giving birth to a healthy baby girl. Also, you need to think about how this test is going to effect your pregnancy. If it comes up positive are you still going to love and care for your child? Will it bring you even more fear? I would do more research before making a decision to test.

Answer 6

One of the screenings they will do is called a nuchal transparency test. They check the skin on the back of the baby's neck and are able to tell about birth defects and such. They will also probaly take blood to rule out down's. This is really common for women over 30-35 who are pregnant. Don't sweat this! Everything will be ok. :)

Answer 7

I would have the test done. I had my screening and it put my mind to ease. I say better safe than sorry. I understand that it migh not be 100% accurate, but I would much rather have an idea of what I might be facing, than to worry for the rest of my pregnancy.

Answer 8

Well i got one and im 14 weeks pregnant i got it like 2 weeks ago, and it came back positive for having high chance of downsyndorm. but i did not find out how seriouse it was tell like a few days ago. i about had a heart attack and probably stressed my babe out, but it was only 1% higher then normal so im not so worried about it now.

Answer 9

well i think if its a simple blood test then go ahead and do it.coz there gonna take blood anyways why not test it.but i do understand i have a child with a rare gentic disorder.

Answer 10

please do not do it. I did it and so they mentioned my youngster might have down syndrome and that i went five months studying and finding out methods to deal with infants with down syndrome...after which genetic checking out and amnio declared a fake constructive within the eighth month. It despatched us on a brain blowing emotional rollercoaster...very frightening and emotional and i did not get time to experience my being pregnant.