Alpha-Fetoprotein Test... Please help me decide!

[lamb18]

Hello ladies. I have to make the decision of whether or not I want to have the AFP test done. Can you please let me know why you did or didn't have the test done. This is my first pregnancy and I need some help and advice in making these big decisions. Thanks.

[tarajanes]

Hi from what i have read about this test there are minimal risks,is there a reason why they wish to do this test since you are very young.is there a history of problems.to be honest the doctor is the only person that can give you that advice.googe the test there is lots of info out there,sorry couldnt have been more help.

[110279hld]

I never had it done with my 2 girls - but it is a personal decision for everyone.  I chose not to have it done because I thought the stress of having a possible false positive would drive me crazy and the stress wouldn't be good for the baby.  I decided that I wouldn't terminate a pregnancy anyway so it wouldn't matter. I hope this helped and good luck.

[KStarr07]

I think amniocentesis is a much more personal decision.. the AFP test has NO risks, because it is blood drawn from the mother... that's all, just like regular routine blood draws.. It can be personal, if you find some sort of abnormality in the levels, so it kind of comes down to "if there were something wrong, would you want to know ahead of time?" although they are not always 100% correct, and sometimes the levels come up higher than usual (or lower) for different reasons, and there is actually nothing wrong. It is a personal choice, but it's not dangerous... If you'd rather be prepared, or maybe even clear your mind, whichever, then it is right for you. If not, then just don't have it done.

:)

[KStarr07]

Oh and, I had it done.. Just to be sure, but that was mainly because my baby's father had a baby brother that died of spina-bifida so there was a risk there.. and everything turned up fine. They test for a lot of different things, and although it is not necessary, I think it's a good thing to have done, personally.

[JoyRenee]

I didn't get this test, or any genetic-related tests done, because they have many false positives. Also, I would not terminate my pregnancy anyway, so there wasn't a point to do the tests. We just had a very extensive, hour-long sonogram with each pregnancy at around 20 weeks. Every little organ was measured, every little vertebrae was counted. That was enough for me!

[lamb18]

Awesome ladies. I know what you mean... I would never terminate a pregnancy either. I don't think I am going to get it done for the simple fact that it doesn't matter to me... I would love the baby either way. You are right... why worry and put myself through stress. I will be having that extensive ultrasound at 20 weeks that should tell me something. I have no history of any diseases or anything like that so I am pretty sure that everything will be fine! Well, thanks for your opinions!

[sameerab]

i never had the choice they basically said next apt will be your triple screen test which will be tommorrow..at first i was a lil scared and nervous but now it doesnt bother me as much..i love my baby and whatever the dr ask of me im just going to do it.....

[natemomma27]

i didnt even have the choice to have it done with my 1st son they just did it. it came back positive. i was high risk the ENTIRE pregnancy from the high afp levels. i had ultrasounds every week and blood drawn every 2 weeks. i was always back and forth to the doctor. my son however was born just fine. 10 toes, 10 fingers, 2 eyes etc...he has no problems! it can be VERY stressful though. that is for sure!

[sameerab]

ultrasounds every week omg i cant imagine having a ultrasound every week

[aarroyo]

i also had it done and tested possitive!what a crock! i will never ever take that test again i was worried out of my mind 4 weeks put so much stress on me and baby.which my baby ended up being fine by the way,im 35 weeks now.its a scarey test with way too many false possitives ugh!