The new medical push to have all women who are pregnant have a test for Downs Syndrome is it needed?

Question

Without getting into a debate on Pro-Life and Abortion does this new push lead to more abortions. Do we continue to find more thinks to test for and then someday ensure no one is born with certain things that at the time are determined to be not wanted in our population. I see many downs syndrome children and adults and how many of them would be born if this test was given to all. Do we want to preselect all. Yes you don't want your child to have any disability or problem that makes there life harder but what is next - pre test for bipolar disorder, heart disease, etc.

This is a new process not one typically offered to women as some answers have falsely stated.. Only after you are 35 was this pushed. But since women younger than 35 make up 80% of pregnancies the OB-GYN board felt this necessary. It might be used for other things but it is primarily a tes for Downs.

This is a new process not one typically offered to women as some answers have falsely stated.. Only after you are 35 was this pushed. But since women younger than 35 make up 80% of pregnancies the OB-GYN board felt this necessary. It might be used for other things but it is primarily a tes for Downs.

The main reason I brought this up is that I do have a cousin who has Downs and I will tell you I would give up all my other relatives for him alone. Every day you talk to him you know that there is a reason for life. He can make you laugh at the most mundane things, try your hardest to figure out the latest playstation game, or he can as no one else understand your pain from a circumstance better than anyone else. You have no doubts when he tells you he loves you, ever. So I could not believe someone ever wanting not to have someone like this even though we all want perfect wings. We do place to much emphasis on perfection with the use of plastic surgery to correct some minor flaw in our noses, wrinkles, or jaw. We need to accept what we are given and sometimes that Downs child is the one to show us why.

Answer 1

You'll have to forgive my ignorance, but I refuse to watch the news on TV or read it in the paper. Is this something that's actually happening--someone's trying to force women to have amnios to test for Down's?

That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Where are we living--the US, I thought. Apparently I was wrong--we must be in China or Cuba!

I think this is horrible. I never had amnios with either of my two kids. I was young when I had them (28 and 30), but still wouldn't have had one even if I'd been older and had been at risk for having a child with birth defects. Who cares? I find out that my child is going to be born with Down's Syndrome, missing an arm, a cleft palate, spina bifida, etc., it won't affect my decision to keep and raise the baby. Even disabled/retarded kids deserve love, too.

Answer 2

I think most women at 16 weeks of pregnancy are offered a test that could determine markers for Downs. It isn't 100% by any means-there are also ultrasounds that can determine if a woman is carrying a child with disabilities. I chose not to have the test done, and would rather face the situation when the child is born than worry for months about the fate of my child if test comes back positive. Just my 2 cents

Answer 3

I am the mother of twin 14 month old girls. When I was pregnant I struggled with the idea of the test and if I wanted to have it or not. I knew that regardless of what it showed, I was still going to have the girls! I had a wonderful doctor who discussed with me the pro's of having the test. He stated that the test not only screens for Down's Syndrome, but some other conditions as well. With early detection some conditions (such as Spinal Bifida) can be operated on in-utero. Also, if a birth defect or condition is detected that requires additional medical attention during or directly after delivery, doctors and additional medical professionals can be on hand. Some hospitals are equipped with the equipment and personnel to handle any possible situation, but some, especially more rural hospitals are not. If an abnormality or defect is detected early, doctors can arrange for patients to give birth at more well equipped hospitals.

Answer 4

i'm 19 weeks & i had the test done a couple of weeks ago. i was just told that they were gonna test to make sure nothing was wrong with the baby such as neural birth defects. i wasn't approached as if it were optional and only need to get it if it would make my decision as whether or not to have the baby. i knew that it was optional though.

on the other hand, my sister (she'll be 21 weeks tomorrow) was told by her doc that they offer this test and should only be taken if she wanted to terminate the baby if something was wrong with it. she said they scared her by the way they put it & said it kind of harshly. she had the test just so if anything was wrong she and her s/o would be prepared.

i think it should continue to be an option not just so one can decide to terminate b/c they can't handle the situation but so if they keep the baby, they will be prepared and know what to do. i don't know anyone who has down syndrome so if my test came back positive i would like to have the opportunity to do some research and know what i would have a head of me.

both of our test turned out negative!

Answer 5

I understand your point perfectly. I beleive that these tests should be given as an option to the expectant mothers. As a mother of one special needs child and pregnant with my 3rd I did choose to have these tests ran. In my case the outcome of the tests would not have affected my decision to carry or terminate the pregnancy. I only took the opportunity so that I could prepare myself and my family for what is to come.
I don't think that these tests should have any affect on the decision to terminate pregnancy, but it is only my opinion.
I think if it is in the interest of the baby's well being then the tests should be offered, but as you stated these tests should in no way become a screening process to create a defect free population.

Answer 6

Well as a mother of 3, I have to say I do think its a good idea. Not for the "chance to abort" but so I can prepare. I have had the wonderful opportunity to work with those with Downs Syndrome and other disabilities. Those children are just as important as the rest of us. But they do sometimes require special care, and a vast percentage require many life saving surgeries at some point in their lives. So in order for me to give them the best care possible, I do opt for the test.

Answer 7

you raise a good point, but it all boils down to what the parents want. My son showed markers for DS in a high level ultra-sound...I opted for the amnio. If I was in the same situation now, I would do it all over again. I did the further testing to know for sure. I wanted to be prepared both emotionally and to learn all I could about DS. Like you stated, we all want the "perfect/healthy" baby, instead I was given my son who is "perfect" in my eyes. by knowing ahead of time the obstacles he would face it gave him a head start on life.
Alot of this "testing" isn't perfect by any means, and in many repects it scares mom's-to-be and adds more stress and anxiety. Most of these "tests" should be taken with a grain of salt and not taken as pure fact. When parents are faced with situations like mine, I believe it is so important to do your research...learn everything you can....talk to others who have gone through similar situations....then and only then make an informative decision.....not one based on fear or stigma.

Answer 8

its a personal decision best left to a woman, her partner and her dr. I am pro-life, but I know not everyone has the ability to care for a sepcial needs child. These screening test are for many disorders, many that are more crippeling than downs, some of which are fatal. If a family feels that termination of a pregnancy is the right thing to do then its their decision.

Answer 9

I think you are correct. It's very disturbing that these tests are being used to determine whether a baby is a viable human being or not. Only God can decide that. My husband and I have felt since the beginning that whatever God has in mind for us is what's meant to be. If my son has Down's Syndrome or Autism, or any other kind of disability, I will love him just as much, and will feel blessed that God let me have another child in my life.

Answer 10

I think this is a disturbing trend. But in our kind of society it is an inevitable one. It is interesting that you bring up bipolar. I held that diagnosis for many years before being properly diagnosed with Asperger's. There is no objective test for bipolar aside from a spinal tap. I doubt any expecting parents would ever allow their child to be given such a procedure.