Genetic Screening -- To Do, or Not to Do?

[kimmery]

Hey Everyone, I'm looking for some feedback on genetic screening and testing.

Have any of you decided to do the blood tests, ultrasounds or amnio? My husband and I are leaning toward 'No' as the reading we have done says that there are a lot of false positives and the risks of amnio seem too high to chance, but I'm really interested in hearing what others think....

[NicoleW09]

We chose not to. I was offered the blood testing and I turned it down simply because I didn't 'want' to know at the time. I did look for soft markers for downs and trisomy at my ultrasounds, but as far as testing went, no I didn't opt to have them done. In the end, it wouldn't have mattered to me. I still would have kept my baby regardless.

If it'll put your mind ease, go for it. I just didn't.

[tryingfor1sttime815]

Only do it if you want to be prepared and or peace of mind.  I did the blood test on both pregnancies.  I wasn't going to do it on the first one until my doctor told me it would be good to prepare if something could be wrong.  Then on my second (current) I did so that I can be prepared not only mentally but physically  I wanted time to look into organizations that help families with disabilities and find a specialist for our newborn, if I needed it.  I wanted to be all set up with people who can help this baby out the day it comes into this world.  

All in all, it is your decision and there isn't a wrong decision.

[Michele, Katy, TX]

I always get the blood test done.  I don't really see the big deal but many make it one.  It's true that there are a lot of false positives but the test can be done again.  I would never terminate, but I like to be prepared so if I found out my baby had one thing or another, I would want to be as prepared as I could be when my baby was born.  That's my personality.  It has nothing to do w/ termination for me.  It's all about being as prepared as I can be.

[Ashelen]

We chose not to...I know that we would've kept the baby no matter what, and most things will show up on later u/s anyway so you wouldn't be unprepared....

but it's all up to personal preference. some people feel more comfortable knowing, some don't. I am the latter, lol.

[coffeebuzzedliz]

I did the blood testing and had it come back that everything looked OK. I don't know if I would do the amnio? But it wasn't an issue. Blood test is easy and it gave me peace of mind.

[shell0209]

I didn't do any, thats because my sister did and my nephew tested possitive for down syndrom, they prepared for it but he came out normal. I don't see why bother yourself with all the worry since you will love the child no matter what.

[KitKat71688]

Well, I'm in the military and so is my husband so cost isn't an issue for us to consider and I am still not going to do it. The thought that they may come back and say there is something wrong with the baby but in the end there isn't is just too much stress and worry for nothing. I think it's better to leave it in God's hands. Even if the test came back positive and are accurate I don't think it makes a difference. You are still going to love that child as much as you would have if you hadn't known.

[worththewait78]

My doctor actually recommended against it.  He said only about 5% of his patients actually do it and most likely there is no need.

[lisa1905]

i have a Schedule to do the genetic test on Monday , mine is only ultrasound and the blood test . I am not going to  amino test. I am nerves about it , even we don’t have any history of genetic problem on my side family or my husband.

[kimmery]

Thanks for your input, Clysta! I'm also leaning strongly toward no, even though we are older (I'm 34 and he's 35), but we are healthy people and also would keep the baby regardless. I'm also thinking that the tests are more about money making than accuracy... have heard that opinion from quite a few other people as well.

[Clysta]

I personally turned down all of it. My reasons are that I'm young (I was 20 when I got pregnant), we have no history of genetic problems, and regardless of how baby turned out we were still going to keep it.