I Am Choosing not to have Down Syndrom testing Done?

Question

I am 4 months pregnant and I am choosing not to have a test done for Down Syndrom because of the risk of miscarriage...and because not one in my family has ever had Down Syndrom am I making the right descison based on these 2 reason

Answer 1

Down syndrome is not generally inherited. It is caused most often by a mistake in the division of the egg or sperm. Main risk factor for having a baby with Down syndrome is older age but most Down syndrome babies are born to younger women because most babies are born to younger women. There is a risk of miscarriage with the "definitive" diagnosis of Down syndrome which is amnioscentesis (risk of miscarriage 1/200). There are screening tests, however, that can better approximate your chances of having a baby with Down syndrome that have no risk to the baby. (Quad screen/second trimester screening) but if this test comes back positive the next step would be amnioscentesis. The decision to proceed with testing also might depend on what you would do if you found out you had a baby with Down syndrome, but some people even if they would not terminate the pregnancy would still like to know because babies with Down syndrome can have many other health issues that can be addressed and prepared for ahead of time.

Answer 2

Ask yourself this question: what would happen if you found out that your baby had Down's Syndrome? Would you terminate the pregnancy? That is really the only reason to test. If you would continue the pregnancy, don't test. That is my personal opinion.

How old are you? If you are under 35 or so, your risk of having a baby with Down's Syndrome is very low. The risk of miscarriage from an amnio is greater. I don't think that family history matters, since most people with Down's cannot have children, it is not a genetic disorder that can be passed on.

Answer 3

Would you keep the baby anyhow, even if the tests came back positive for Down Syndrome?

I didn't have the test done either... but I knew I'd keep my baby, regardless of the results, so I didn't feel a need to take the risk of the testing itself.

The one benefit to going through with the test is if it does come back positive, it gives you some time to decide what you want to do (if you are undecided) and also gives you time to prepare for raising a baby with DS if you plan to keep the baby.

I was also told that even a positive result can be wrong... So there was no way I would have ever risked terminating a pregnancy based on a test that may or may NOT have been right to begin with!

I personally think you are making a good decision... but it is a totally personal issue...

Congratulations on your pregnancy! :)

Answer 4

Do whatever is right for you...however I just had the test...and it doesn't involve anything that is life threatening to you baby. They do a simple blood test and I also had an ultrasound and with the results of the 2 test combined..they gave me a risk factor. If it had have been a high risk pregnancy (one where it is possible my baby DID have Downs) then they would have done an amniocentesis which does carry a slight risk of miscarriage. But the triple test that you get at 13 weeks does not have any risks what-so-ever. Oh and just because no one in your family has had Downs...doesn't mean your baby is immune to it. Not every Downs baby is born to a family with a history. It depends on a lot of factors including your age. Good luck.

Answer 5

Seems like everyone agrees on this one... if you're going to keep the baby no matter what, then why have the test?

You didn't say how old you are. The only reason tests are recommended for women over 35 is that it is the age at which, statistically, the chances of a positive test begin to outweigh the risk of miscarriage. In other words, that number means something only to women who would rather miscarry then have a baby with Down's Syndrome.

Sounds like you are prepared to be a wonderful mother. Congrats, and God bless.

Answer 6

have you had... or are you planning on the alpha fetal protien test??

Down Syndrom is a very serious birth defect..... but if you are under 40 yrs old.. healthy and there are no other birth defects in your family... well... it's a purely personal choice....

I had the AFP test with all 3 of my sons.... would the results have changed my mind about bringing any one of the 3 into this world... probably not....

I totally see your point about the amnio being dangerous and the risk of mis carriage... again.. this is a personal choice.. only YOU can answer if your making the right or wrong choice.

Answer 7

During my pgcies with my children I never did the AFP screenings or any other testing (such as amnio) because to us, it didn't matter. I had many ultrasounds done, because I was high-risk, and during my pgcy with my daughter we found out that she would be born with a cleft lip/palate. Then a geneticist told us that many other things could be wrong, and offered the amnio and other tests, but I declined, because, still, it didn't matter to us. Oh, and I was 35 at the time.

It's a personal choice. You are making a correct decision based on what you are feeling, and there is no harm in that.

Answer 8

Sure. And if I remember correctly, the test does not test for down syndrome, but the possibility of having a child with down syndrome. And false positives are common. I think your decision is fine.

Answer 9

Just because no one in your family hasnt had a child with down syndrom doesnt mean you wont. Does it really matter if your child is going to have down syndrom? Your gonna love it anyway and be its mother anyway so why find out and get all stressed out about it because when your pregnant you dont need to be stressed. Remember its your baby your gonna love it no matter if its healthy or not

Answer 10

This test is just a blood test your thinking of a amniocesis thats were they put the needle in your belly. Personally i would get the down syndrome test done just in case so you can be prepared.