I'm 13 weeks pregnant. OB/GYN asked to start thinking about genetic testing. Don't know if i want to do it... It's not 100%accurate anyway...please advise from your experience...
2007-04-02 08:07:50 · 9 answers · asked by igma05 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
It's called California Expanded AFP Screening program. And it's voluntary.
To screen the birth defect in unborn fetus. Done between 4th and 5th months.
2007-04-02 08:22:54 · update #1
I question why your OB would tell you to "start thinking about genetic testing" when it should be automatic and routine blood work...at least in my experience
2007-04-02 08:11:57 · answer #1 · answered by Invisible Pink RN 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Amniocentisis or CVS is quite accurate for the things it is testing for. You can always get a confirming test with a different lab. There seems to be a lot of commentary on the net about inaccurate results, but I've never seen it at a LEGITIMATE medical site. The AFP test is the one that could be wrong, but looking at DNA and finding extra pairs is a mistake that would be hard to make.
The thing is, what will you do with the information? If you will not terminate a pregnancy if you receive bad results, then it's pointless. There are other, less invasive ways to find out if a baby has Downs or other things that can be tested for, so that you can be 'prepared.'
I personally would do it, but my risk for Downs and a couple of other things is higher than average.
2007-04-02 15:19:45 · answer #2 · answered by CarbonDated 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I went last week to have my blood taken for the triple test, which I am thinking is the same thing that your doc is calling a genetic test. My doctor told me that most people have one of three thoughts on the testing; 1. I want to know so that if something is wrong, I can terminate the pregnancy. 2. I want to know so that if something is wrong, I can be prepared for when the baby comes or 3. I don't want to know at all, if something is wrong I will deal with it when it is born. I fell under the #2. I think that it is just extra information that will help prepare you for your baby.
You are correct though that the test is not 100% accurate, but it does have very high results. If something does come back as a potential issue, they will do more testing, if you want it, to help determine what the problem is.
In the end it is definitely YOUR choice, but I just think it is something that will help you prepare for your future with your child if something is wrong.
Good luck and congratulations!
2007-04-02 15:18:30 · answer #3 · answered by jenlynn42 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My question is why did the ob/gyn bring it up? I'm not trying to be racist or stereotypical, but certain genetic diseases tend to be associated with certain races. If you and baby's daddy fall into a category of someone who's at higher risk for a genetic disorder, it may be wise to consider the tests Also, you never know when you and daddy could both have a recessive trait for something which makes likely for baby to get it. Another thing to consider is what will the results mean to you? Do you want to wait until the symptoms show up or do you want to be prepared ahead of time for any potential difficulties? I am pro-life, but if something were determined to be affecting the baby would you still want to keep the child? You and daddy need to discuss these things and decide what's best for your new family.
2007-04-02 15:15:21 · answer #4 · answered by Huggies 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is really up to you. If there are genetic problems that run in either family it can be a good idea because you would be prepared for any problems at birth. I never did it with either of mine. I wouldn't have terminated the pregnancy and I had no reason to think there would be any genetic problems (there weren't). Plus, since they aren't 100% accurate then I figured why do it?
2007-04-02 15:14:26 · answer #5 · answered by kat 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My little girl was born with Cystis Fibrosis and recently my friends son was born with Downs Syndrome .Both of these genetic illnesses can be tested for ,with my daughter they do not test for CF. You have to have the test and if you are both carriers then you have a 1 in 4 chance that the child will have it.I would have the tests .
2007-04-02 15:28:21 · answer #6 · answered by paul t 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you mean for diseases and such? I thought it was automatic. Mine was, and I wouldn't want it any other way-- I'd want to know in advance if I was going to have a child with difficulties so I could be prepared, or if it was still early in the PG, so that I would know whether or not I wanted to make a choice.
2007-04-02 15:13:10 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For us, we considered a couple of different things:
1. Regardless of the results, it would not have influenced us to terminate the pregnancy
2. There are no genetic diseases on either side of our family.
2007-04-02 15:11:58 · answer #8 · answered by Heather Y 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes or no.
Who will ask you if you agree everything going about money.
2007-04-02 15:11:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋