[Magic_Mikki]

Hey! What do you all think about prenatal testing for things like Downs Sydrome, etc? I am going in on Friday at 12 weeks pregnant for my first trimester prenatal screening. I did the screening (although not the extensive screening) with my first, too. I've been hearing things lately about how controversial the screening is. I'm not doing anything invasive, like the amniotic fluid tests, but it's still seems to be controversial with some people, even the basic stuff... Why is that, anyway? I see it more as an informative procedure!

[1stTimeMomOf2]

I didn't opt to do any of the screenings because honestly no matter how my children came I was going to keep them and love them anyway. I think really the only reason people should get the tests is if they are going to terminate the pregnancy because they're child is "flawed". I can see how getting the outcomes earlier would help you prepare for what is to come, but if you got the information earlier you'd stress out earlier and possibly cause problems for your pregnancy.
I'm not anti-testing. But I don't think it really makes a difference because there's nothing they can do to reverse the findings. I say do what you want.

[purelegance]

i turned down all genetic testing. i didnt care about the results, and they have such a false positive rate, that i didnt want the stress of it.

[twinzplus3]

I won't consider getting those types of tests done. . .there is no point. It has an extremely high rate of false positives. If it comes back positive. . .one recommendation is an amnio--which is more likely to cause you to miscarry than the chance that your baby actually had whatever they said it did. Highly inaccurate test, used to scare moms silly and force them into procedures that are unnecessary.

[jkl123]

I guess I'm on the other side. I had the tests done with my first 2 and will again for this one. I am a firm believer in knowledge is power. For starters, if the tests all came back fine, I know I'd relax a little more and have a sense of relief. If the tests showed a potential problem (false positive or not), I'd have the remainder of my pregnancy to prepare myself and read up on the situation so I wouldn't have that added surprise to learn about, on top of a new baby and all the emotions that come with that alone.
I guess it's really a personal chioce, but I'm all for anything that will help you prepare either way, as long as it is not harmful.

[poliscmjr]

I had the testing done. I actually got my results back today and everything came back negative. I truly think its a personal choice. If it didn't come back negative I wouldn't change anything. I would still love my child, I would just be more prepared on how to take care of my child.

Good luck with your decision.

[ruthann8]

Some of the tests are only 60% accurate. To me that is like flipping a coin and just not worth the heartache of a false positive or the pain of a false negative. For me I knew I had a very good chance of being a carrier of Cystic Fibrosis so we tested for it. I was positive and my DH was negative. Testing for CF was the only genetic testing I did. I believe it is a personal choice, but I have had many friends have false positives and they were unable to enjoy there pregnancy.

[Tracey with 6]

I had the tests done, although for me it was more baout seeing the bub on the ultrasound than anything else, I guess the question you need to ask yourelf is will you abort if there is something wrong.

[twinzplus3]

Just to be clear--we are talking about the AFP right? I don't think cycstic fibrosis is on that. And of course it's different if you're a genetic carrier. Of course it's a personal choice--I don't think anyone is saying there's a right or wrong answer here. But I'm curious why you would take a half accurate blood test (the flipping the coin analogy is very good) when you can detect the same things much more accurately on a sonogram? And if you really had to know as some of you had said that it is important to be prepared--would you do the amnio then--bc that's the only 100% accurate test. And then my last question is that you'd do the amnio--knowing the statistically speaking, you're probably more likely to have a miscarriage than to have a downs baby?

[jkl123]

I don't mean to argue, but CF IS on the test. My son is 5, and that is how I found out I'm a carrier. They did NOT test for it 12 years ago when my oldest was born. I had no idea I was a carrier (no one in my family has CF that I can trace) and would not have known if it wasn't for that test.
I would also never, ever abort if something came back wrong - I just want to know if there's a possibility. Just like the CF - I know it's a higher possibility for me, and have done a ton of research. I feel comfortable that I would know how to handle that if it should arise.
I'm also the type who hates secrets!!