Quad screening...

[Wendy80]

I'm posting this because I'm rather curious how beneficial the quad screening actually is.

I'm 14 weeks 4 days and at yesterday's appointment the doc told me I would be getting the quad screening done sometime between 15 wks and 20 wks (apparently it's time sensitive).  I assumed this test was more of an option based on your risk factors (ie: if you're over 35, if you have past family history of defects, etc)... but he phrased it as though it was necessary.  My concern is that we'll get the test done and have it come back abnormal and then have to do follow-up testing like amniocentesis (sp?).  I've read that this quad testing can give false positive/negatives, which can therefore lead to needless stress.  My DH and I have already discussed the fact that if we found out our baby had Down Syndrome, we certainly wouldn't terminate it.
So I guess I'm just wondering if other women on this forum were instructed to have this test done (even if they didn't have any risk factors), or were you given the option?  And if so, can anything they test for actually be "cured" in the womb?  I mean there's no cure for Down Syndrome or neural spinal defects (that I know of)... does the quad screening even have a benefit?  Any thoughts would be appreciated.  

[precious03]

I chose not to get the test done.  I figured that if something was wrong, we would deal with it day by day when the time comes.  I see no reason to be stressed out any more than you need to be during pregnancy, it can only cause more complications.

[g8r grl]

The test is so confusing. They compare your results with 100 other women and your odds are based on the odds of everyone else in the group....at least that's what I can remember from the explanation that I was given. A lot of people get false positives and panic...but the results are just your odds based on everyone else that was in the group. It's weird. I chose not to get the test because I didn't want to know. I figured anything major would show up on an ultrasound and I had 7 of them with no problems. I did not want to worry my head off for 22 weeks...it just wasn't worth it. I was in love with my son (already knew it was a boy from 13 weeks) and wanted him no matter what. I had to sign papers saying that I was rejecting the testing, and that was that.

A lot of people get false results...I just wanted to enjoy my pregnancy and not worry. It's up to you!

[wild.blue]

I took the test and it came back positive. Theres a 1 in 170 chance my baby has downs. But I think it is FALSE positive. I am only 20 years old and no one in my family (or dad's family) has any problems.

Plus I decided not to go through with the amniocentesis because its dangerous.. so all the quad test did was make me worry :S

[Wendy80]

Thanks for your responses.  That was my concern about taking the test... I hate to be stressed over something needlessly.  And if, God forbid, they were to find something wrong, what's the point if it's not treatable.  And like evthing4reason said, for Trisomy 13, knowing won't change the outcome.  If we opt not to do the test, I just hope my doctor will be understanding and non-judgemental about our decision.  

[evthing4reason]

I chose not to take the test (it may have been a different on it had to be done twice between 9 and 16 weeks). I had many friends take this test and then many have to go for more intensive testing at another hospital...all were majorly stressed over it and everything was fine with them all. At almost 18 weeks we discovered major problems (trisomy 13) every Dr I met with and every u/s tech asked me if I had the test done and I said no i didn't. I felt very very guilty, like maybe we could have known sooner (not that it would've changed the outcome, there was a 0%chance of survival) Later when I was researching Trisomy 13 I found out that it wouldn't have shown up on the test anyways
BTW my Dr was totally fine with me not taking it- she said that if it was something I "needed" to do she'd tell me. My next pregnacy I will be in a speical clininc and probably won't have a choice.

[sameerab]

i have to have the triple test next week where i will be 18 weeks i was never given a choice either im 24 and i dont know anyone with down syndrome or birth defects but they are still giving me the test...umm i actually feel nervous but its for the best...but my baby is an over achiever lol he/she was sucking his thumb all ready at 13 weeks thats something they dont do until around 15 or 16 weeks lol so i say damn the test but im going to just take the test even though i dont see the benefits

[neasyc]

i sorry i would help if i could but i really dont know anything about thes tests sorry im no help

[Wendy80]

Anyone?