Did you opt for genetic screening?

Question

At my ob's office yesterday they handed me a list of tests I will take, should take, and can take. Under the Should section was downs syndrom and cystic fibrosis. I didn't want to take either one. I saw one of those childbirth related shows once that had a couple who's screening had come back with high downs syndrom markers and so the whole pregnancy they thought the kid would have it. In the end the baby was fine. I don't want to put myself through any more stress than I have to. 

Question is.... Did you or will you opt for genetic screening?

evthing4reason · Answer

I didn't vote
My first pregnancy i said NO, we ended up finding out our baby had a fatal genetic disorder through an emergancy u/s. They couldn't tell me if it would've shown up if we had the test anyways. Our baby had a 0% chance of making it to term so we chose a medical induction over a d&c (an option cause they babe had already stopped developing in size) or waiting for it to happen naturally.
This pregnancy we didn't have the option but i couldn't get excited until we had the NT at 12 weeks.
Personally i do beleive there are too many false positives and get people worked up over nothing, especially with the screening that is just the bloodwork. But i also beleive in the power of knowledge to get prepared for what you are to face, so I am very torn on the subject

sweetangel7 · Answer

I had the screens done not because I'd love my baby any less BUT I think there are a lot of different preparations you might need to think about it your child did have health concerns.  I wouldn't want that kind of surprise right after delivery...making decisions about my child's health which I felt uninformed about.

jenkaye21 · Answer

The triple screen or quad screen test is known to have a high rate of false positives.  If you ask, your doctor or midwife will tell you this.  If it does indicate apossible problem,  they want you to follow up with amniocentesis to determine for sure what (if anything) is wrong.  I knew I would never go through with the amnio, so I have always refused the triple screen.  Also, I knew I would not abort.

I personally know quite a few women (at least 6, personally) who have had a false positive on the inital test.  Then they had to go thru with the amnio or refuse the amnio and just worry and wait.  Not worth it!  All went on to have healthy babies, by the way.

In certain cases, as mentioned above, I can see why it would be a good idea but for me, not worth the trouble.

tiredbuthappy · Answer

I am a CF carrier. I am greatful that i found out in early pregnancy because they were able to test DH right away. He is not a carrier so we are fine. 
This is good to know. We had no idea, since noone has CF and noone ever said they tested positive. Since i am a carrier, there is a chance my siblings are. I have made sure to let them know so that they can be tested prior to having children. if they are carriers, they can have their SO tested. If both are carriers, then they can work with a genetic councelor to ensure that their child doesn't have it. 
When it comes to CF, i feel knowledge is power. Even if you wouldn't terminate this pregnancy due to the outcome, i feel it's important. If you know there's a chance your child may have it, they can do tests at birth and start treatment immediately and hopefully improve the baby's quality of life for a while. 

As for the other tests, I personally would not do an amnio to check for downs. I did/am doing the AFP test to check for neurotube defects. Delivering a child with a condition like spina bifida vaginally can cause more damage. Knowing in advance can help improve the child's quality of life by planning a c-sec and having specialists standing by.

bryanarae · Answer

I opted out of the genetic screening. As much as a part of me wanted to know, a bigger part didn't want to. None of the m run in either family, and we are young at that. My husband and I's reason was that it simply wouldn't change anything. Whether this baby is born with one of the genetic deformalities/retardations, it wouldn't change our choice of keeping her or not. We believe that we would be given what we can handle, or learn to handle. Plus, it is just one more stress do worry about, so we opted out.

tatorbug40 · Answer

some of those tests, like the quad screen can come back positive and freak you out, and then there is nothing wrong with the baby afterall... I decided not to with Taylor, because I knew I wouldn't abort either way- and because I didn't want to get freaked out for no reason!...   with Colten I did, just because we had a miscarriage right before we got pg with him and that baby had a genetic defect...  I still wouldn't have aborted,  but I thought it might get me prepaired, just incase...  he is fine... :)

NicMom · Answer

I'm with Joy on this one, I wouldn't abort either way. The only other reason I would want to know is so that I could receive any medical training necessary to care for a special needs child. I choose to have as normal a pregnancy as possible and therefore might be slightly unprepared in the even that something is wrong, but it's going to be better for me in the long run.

jenntanis · Answer

Well, my husband is adopted, and we don't know alot about his medical history, let alone his family.  I knew that I didn't have any abnormalities in my family but I liked the reassurance.  My first blood work contained a cystic fibrosis test, and was negative as far as I know, and I have my NT ultrasound scheduled for 2/16.  I haven't seen the baby since I was 6 weeks, so I'm more excited to see the ultrasound than worry about the screenings!

LauraB78 · Answer

I also had the NT scan. Personally, I could not handle a special needs child and I am not ashamed to be open about this. I would do it again in a heartbeat. I needed to know, but it is definitely a personal choice!

Good luck!

ArmyPrincess819 · Answer

My dr asked at the first app if he could run labs to make sure I wasn't a carrier for cystic fibrosis and then I elected to have the ntt and now I will have the afp done next week. I want to know. Good luck,
AP

leighanne143 · Answer

i opted for the NT scan  because even though i am young, i had 2 previous MC's and just wanted to assure all was well.  it was more of a peace of mind thing.  and like mumita said, the ultrasound is great and i think it was worth it.

Mumita · Answer

You can see the pictures of my lil one on my page from the NT scan. :)

Mumita · Answer

I had a Nuchal TRanslucency scan (NT Scan) they check for Down Syndrome and other stuff and its non invasive.  It actually gives you the chances that you have of having a child with DS based on your family history, age, blood test and ultrasound.  Plus its a chance to get to see your baby once again on an ultrasound.  I had a great experience you could literally count the bones in the fingers through the ultrasound I loved it, you see your baby move and its just amazing.

also once you know if you are high risk or not then you'll know if you need to do any more invasive tests or not.

JoyRenee · Answer

I want to add that the reason they even offer these tests is for two main reasons- to prepare for a child with a special need(s) or to offer abortion if an abnormality is found. While being able to prepare if I were to have a baby with one of those conditions would be great I'd still opt out of the screenings. Most ultrasounds can pick up many of the markers and are non-invasive anyway.

JoyRenee · Answer

Woo hoo! I was the first to vote. I opted OUT of the genetic screenings because 1). I'm young, 2). No history of genetic problems, 3). I had the choice and didn't want to stress about the "probability" of having a problem and end up having a healthy baby, 4). The risks associated with an amnio outweighed my concern about Down Syndrome, 5). I wouldn't abort my baby, even if they did have a problem.