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Anyone else opt out of amnio and that type of testing?
GaBeekeeper
Posts: 916
So far my DR has not discussed any type of testing to find out if the babies have down syndrome, etc. I don't think I want to know, b/c I know the type of person that I am , that I would just worry and it wouldn't be good on the babies, if I found out something like that.
I couldn't terminate one of the babies for that anyway, so I don't think I will do them anyway. I feel strongly that my babies are healthy and strong and that this isn't an issue. But with my lovely age of 40, it will come up and be suggested at some point.
Did any of you over 35 moms opt of of this type of testing?
I couldn't terminate one of the babies for that anyway, so I don't think I will do them anyway. I feel strongly that my babies are healthy and strong and that this isn't an issue. But with my lovely age of 40, it will come up and be suggested at some point.
Did any of you over 35 moms opt of of this type of testing?
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Comments
You can opt out and rest assured that you are in good company!
Zen I know a TON of people who had amnio's and several who were pretty open about the fact that they would terminate if something was found (not that that is what you said you would do). I think in the SMBC community more mom's so opt for an amnio because they either want the preparation...or know that as a single mom they couldn't handle the stress and challenge of a special needs child.
Mommy to Twins plus One - donor 733
Good luck with your decisions regarding your little ones...there will be plenty during and after pregnancy also...you really just have to go with your gut.
October 2014
u
Good luck on your decision.
If you are just curious to prepare, then you should ask yourself why you wouldn't want to do the testing. If you feel no need to prepare or it just doesn't matter, then maybe choose not to do the invasive testing??
On one hand I see a good reason to know in advance to be prepared, but I don't want to risk having something happen and then I would blame the amnio for it.
I have always said that I just did not want any testing, and I'm probably going to stick with it.
But thank you all so much for sharing your opinions, and I respect each and everyone's view on this.
It just so happened a coworker of mine had a pregnant sister that did have an amnio at 37 weeks (I forget why). Her water broke in the elevator when she was leaving her appt. Probably a coincidence, but who knows?
L on the left, G on the right
Need to update a ticker, Silas Anthony Jordon born Oct 11, 2013. 6th baby, so much love!
the main reason for finding out if your baby carries an anomalies is not to terminate - it is so there can be preparations for what kind of staff/hospital is required for the delivery and antenatal care.
Many babies born with Down Syndrome have a heart defect. I have two friends who have children with Down Syndrome, and both had extensive open heart surgeries after birth. If the babies had been born in a birthing center etc they would not have survived.
Knowing more about your baby's medical needs before birth allows for planning on what hospital is the best to deliver in - does it have a level II NICU/PICU, do you need a kidney specialist on call, cardiology, etc.
This is a very valid point... I maybe should have added with my responce that I live in a small town and would have to travel 4 hours to have an amnio done - we have our own nicu, but don't do any of the testing in this town. There is also only one option for hopsital deliveries, but it is the regional hopsital, so well equipped (and with a helipad, just in case)
Need to update a ticker, Silas Anthony Jordon born Oct 11, 2013. 6th baby, so much love!
g
The blood test is a screening. It screens for who is more at risk, considering both a high and a low level (both have meaning). There is no such thing as a "false positive" because it is saying whether your risk level is higher or not. Women who are at a higher risk group can then decide on further (more invasive) testing.
as far as your story that people you know with "false positives" were told they should terminate? I'm sorry but this is bogus. Any Dr. is going to tell you the AFP screen just tells what your risk group is, it does NOT tell you if you if the baby is affected. They will not tell you to terminate based on the screening. What they will tell you is that you are at higher risk depending on your abnormally low or abnormally high level, and they would then offer additional testing that would be covered by your insurance since your risk level changed.
Even when anomalies are found for certain via amnio I I find it highly unlikely any doctor would suggest anyone "should terminate."
I caution people to get more informed information from your health care provider before you make these decisions.
a LOW AFP level in your blood indicates a higher risk for Down Syndrome
a HIGH AFP level can show higher risk for neural tube defects, abdominal wall defects, esophageal and duodenal atresia, some renal and urinary tract anomalies, turner syndrome, some low birth weight fetuses, and placental complications. Some of these things will not show up on ultrasound screenings, by the way.
In particular, in women with high AFP levels the risk of placental abruption is higher... where the placenta may separate from the uterine wall. This is life threatening for the baby and the mother.
In my case, the quad screen result showed that I was at risk - and I chose to have my baby screened further. No congential conditions were found upon full diagnostic testing. But they kept looking into it and a problem was found with my placenta, which is one of the things a high AFP level flags for.
I went on to have a placental abruption later in the pregnancy. The AFP was a warning sign for us and we were able to be prepared based on having the full information. I did deliver with a midwife but I did so at a hospital with a NICU. ((It ended up not being a good decision though because within hours my baby had to be emergency airlifted to a bigger hospital with a more equipped NICU - and there I was, stuck at the hospital I'd given birth at... Trust me, even though your baby can be airlifted... you don't want to be stuck at an entirely different hospital. It will take at least 24 hours for them to transfer you))
More information is just that - more information. It doesn't mean you don't want to keep the baby!
the false positive bullshit that says over 35 + elevated numbers = possible issue put the fear of god into my sister and had her freaked the hell out that her baby had something seriously wrong. i'm glad in your case it saved your baby's life but i do honestly think that any testing with this wide of a range of incorrect results should be explained in better detail to pregnant women before they make the decision to have it. in my sister's case the nhs just gave it as a matter of course without any explanation.
g
there is no such thing as a "negative" or "positive" AFP. There is normal level and then there is concern for both a high level and a low level. It is not a negative/positive test.
People need to understand what these tests actually are before getting all dramatic
Again, I highly doubt a physician would tell a mother that her baby HAS down syndrome from a low or high AFP level, because there are many other reasons for a low or high reading. I can't speak to what a doctor supposedly told your co-worker over the phone - but if you want to read published information on what the AFP test does indicates I can provide many links. If you prefer to go by what a friend of a friend said, well that is your perogative
And as far as reading published information on the AFP, then I suggest you go to http://pregnancyandbaby.sheknows.com/pregnancy/baby/Understanding-the-AFP-test-4450.htm Because there it clearly says AND I QUOTE
"Positive/abnormal AFP
Once a patient receives an abnormal or positive AFP result they are then advised to schedule an appointment to see a genetic counselor, a health professional with a specialized graduate degree and experience in medical genetics and counseling." SO AS FAR AS YOU WERE SAYING THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "NEGATIVE" OR A "POSITIVE" AFP,, WELL,, I FOUND THE PHRASE "POSITIVE AFP" USED!!!!!
And if you go to that link you will also see references to False Positives.
And I am pregnant with twins, and you know what else I have known about the AFP?
" A high level of AFP can be an indication of a neural tube defect such as spina bifida. However, high levels of AFP can also indicate that the mother is further along in her pregnancy than realized and her due date needs to be recalculated. A high AFP could also mean the mother is carrying twins, according to Kaiser Permanente."
So, it can be inconclusive for women with twins.
And you did make a valid point about finding out about issues before the baby is born so the hospital will know how to be prepared. Well, I was making references to AMNIO'S and other invasive type of testing. I am going to a Perinatologist so even tho I will refuse the amnio, I will have several in depth ultrasounds that will make sure the babies are fine. They will be checking their hearts and their growth rates.
And we are not "getting all dramatic" about these test. PREGNANT women will get emotional about any type of testing done to their unborn child and you calling them dramatic just isn't very nice.
With regard to the nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound, many go that route. When I was pregnant my doctor opted not to send me for that because of the incidences of high false positives. But we already knew that I was going to have an amnio so there was no need to have the possible extra stress of the NT results. Fast forward 2 years and his office now routinely sends all their maternity patients for the NT scan. Not sure if it's a sign of the times but doctors like tests. And if they're non-invasive, so much the better.
You're pregnant with twins. My personal opinion? Skip the amnio, let them monitor you with ultrasounds, and tell us when you know if they're boys, girls, or both!