birth defects and pregnancy?

Question

i am 37 and what a baby, i am scared of birth defects and would abort if there were any.. what tests do they have now and can they tell birth defects in time for an abortion? i dont want to seem selfish but i really couldnt handle it if there were.

Answer 1

Wow this question kinda hit close to home. Im 22yrs old and had a test done @ 13wks where they did blood work and did an untra sounds to see if the baby had spinal bifida or down syndrom. Me and the father are healthy young people so we didnt think anything of it. Well they did this test at a specialist office and since their machines are alot stronger then one at a regular doctors office they saw that the baby did have a birth defect it can be fixed when the babys born the father wanted me to abort the baby and theirs no way I could I heard the heartbeat, I saw her sucking her little thumb. So of course me and him are no longer together.

The reason im sharing my story with you is no matter how old/young you are or how healthy you are you have that risk of having something wrong with your baby and after you hear the heart or see him/her through an ultra sound you realize thats a part of you thats living inside of you then you might change your mind and realize how stong of a person a child ur child can make you. Good luck and best wishes

Answer 2

The only two tests that can accurately detect chromosomal defects such as Down Syndrome are the CVS (done between 11-13 weeks) and an amniocentisis (done around 16 weeks). The AFP, Quad Screen, and NT only give you what your odds are, they are in NO WAY definititve and nowhere close to 100%. Other than that, a Level II ultrasound will look for other, non-chromosomal defects between 18-22 weeks.

There are always problems (like heart problems) that can go undetected until birth. If you truly can't handle anything but a perfect baby, you might want to reconsider pregnancy as there are never any guarantees.

Answer 3

Unfortunately you would be well into your 2nd trimester by the time any defects were detected, would you do an abortion that late in the pregnancy? If not then I would reconsider getting pregnant at 37, most women can have normal healthy babies, but the risk of birth defects goes up after age 35.

Answer 4

I had an NT test at 12 weeks, which can detect with almost 100% accuracy the rate of down's syndrome and the extra chromosone. It's not even an invasive test - they do a finger prick and an ultrasound to take measurements of baby's neckfolds.

You can also get an AFP test at 16 weeks which checks for those defects and spina bifida.

By 16 weeks you should have most of what you need to make your decision.

Answer 5

Do birth defects run in the family? Are you a drug user? If you are just worried because of your age, you really shouldn't be. Nowadays possible defects can be detected in enough time to terminate any pregnancy - not always, but more often than not. And don't fret over the quad screen - the numbers always freak moms out, and they really shouldn't.

My mom gave birth to my littlest brother when she was 45, and he is perfect. As long as you are healthy and your family history is healthy you should try to relax.

Answer 6

If you do enough research you will find that there are PLENTY of women over that magical age of 35 that have healthy babies. Yes, the odds for certain defects increase as we age, but you have to weigh out those risks and whether it's worth it for you to try. Here is a wonderful sight to check out:

http://mothersover40.com/

I know you are only 37, but there is a lot of info here..and other sites as well.
I wish you luck...I personally know that this is a hard decision to make. God Bless.

Answer 7

Well if you do end up with a defective child you could always toss it out when its old enough to speak. People get caught in their love for the good children and they lose sight of the fact that you dont actually owe your children anything. Really all that matters are that a person is free of defects.

Answer 8

you want a baby? they can test for almost every birth defect very early in a pregnancy. why don't you adopt? I have never been married and have 2 children through adoption. I knew all about them before I saw them. I'm glad I have them both.

Answer 9

they do an AFP test at 17 weeks and it tests the baby for down syndrome.

Answer 10

YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE A BABY IF YOU ARE ALREADY THINKING ABOUT ABORTION.. HOW CAN YOU PURPOSELY KILL YOUR OWN FLESH AND BLOOD.. THAT'S HORRIBLE.. I WOULD NOT HAVE KIDS IF I WERE YOU.. YOU KILLER...