We decided not to get the genetic screening tests for 3 reasons. 1-My doctor told that because of my age and our genetic background we were not at a high risk for a problem. 2-I read that a lot of women get false positives for down syndrome. Usually when you get a positive they want to do an amnio test which has a risk for miscarriage and that scared me. 3-My doctor also told me that most abnormalities can be detected with a sonogram, or at least suspected and then you can take the test. I would say just go with how you feel and what you doctor says.
I did not have it done. Skyler and I talked about it and we decided we weren't going to because we knew that we would love our baby either way. It did us no good to know in advance and worry my entire pregnancy.
We did not have any genetic testing done. When they told us about it we felt right away that it just wasn't for us. We knew we weren't at high risk and did not want to put ourselves through all of that. Adam felt that even if they did find something wrong, it would just make us (especially me) more worried than relieved. And we felt like it wasn't going to matter anyways because we were going to keep the baby no matter what the results showed. They told us some people do it so they can get counseling done before hand to gear them up and all, but we felt it would make things harder. We knew the Lord would provide no matter what so we just decided not to take the chance.
We decided to not get it done. It did not matter to us what the outcome would be - we would love our babe not matter what. Plus it isn't always accurate.
We also decided NOT to do it. I have a sister with Down Syndrome and my parents doctor was so negative about them not getting the screening done to have been more prepared, but what difference would it have made? It's not like they would have aborted the pregnancy. We decided not to get it because we'd love and accept our child no matter what may or may not be "wrong". Just like everyone else said :)
I agree with EVERYTHING everyone said. We also did not do it. If you don't have it in your family, I wouldn't worry too much about it! :-) I have also heard that quite a few insurances will not cover it unless there is a family history and still they may not, but that was a couple years ago so I don't know now. Good luck making your decision!
We had it done with our first. But really at the ultrasound at 20 weeks, they can tell you if you really need to have it done. Like Julie said they can tell a lot of the signs at the ultrasound. My nurse said a baby can have every sign and be perfect or no signs at all have have downs. Plus, there isn't anything you can do to fix the problem. Good luck! :)
I think you should read this story, I am posting anonymously because I don't want people thinking I am a horrible person for wanting to get it done. I think it would be doing a disservice to you and your baby if there was something wrong and you didn't find out about it until they were born, and your reaction was sadness instead of joy. The grieving period for Downs is a rough one, better to do it before they're born than try to struggle with a new born who has special needs and trying to educate yourself at the last minute. However, this lady did find out about it in her ultrasound. So I'm sure it wouldn't matter if you got it done or not, but I think it would be helpful to know in advance. Plus it might just give you peace of mind. http://www.designmom.com/2010/01/ultrasound-memory-from-jennifer-byard.html
we didn't do it with riley, it wasn't even a concern. the truth is, if it doesn't run in your family and you aren't over a specific age it really isn't much of a concern. at least thats what my dr. told me.
Thank you anon poster...I don't think that you are a horrible person for getting the testing done. I had it done as well. It doesn't mean that you don't love your baby or that you won't love your baby just as much if they have Downs. I just felt that for me no matter what the outcome was I needed to know so that I could prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I am so glad to hear that people out there can say that it doesn't matter to them and that they would love their baby no matter what. I too will love my baby no matter what happens...but I also know that if I can be warned about something and have time to prepare that I will jump on that chance, especially something as life altering as Downs. But as with all tests nothing is perfect...even pregnancy tests can tell you that you aren't pregnant even though you really are. To me getting a false positive and worrying for 3 months outweighed the not getting it done and being surprised on the day my baby is born. But we are all different and all can do what we feel is best!
We decided not to get the genetic screening tests for 3 reasons. 1-My doctor told that because of my age and our genetic background we were not at a high risk for a problem. 2-I read that a lot of women get false positives for down syndrome. Usually when you get a positive they want to do an amnio test which has a risk for miscarriage and that scared me. 3-My doctor also told me that most abnormalities can be detected with a sonogram, or at least suspected and then you can take the test. I would say just go with how you feel and what you doctor says.
ReplyDeleteI did not have it done. Skyler and I talked about it and we decided we weren't going to because we knew that we would love our baby either way. It did us no good to know in advance and worry my entire pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteWe did not have any genetic testing done. When they told us about it we felt right away that it just wasn't for us. We knew we weren't at high risk and did not want to put ourselves through all of that. Adam felt that even if they did find something wrong, it would just make us (especially me) more worried than relieved. And we felt like it wasn't going to matter anyways because we were going to keep the baby no matter what the results showed. They told us some people do it so they can get counseling done before hand to gear them up and all, but we felt it would make things harder. We knew the Lord would provide no matter what so we just decided not to take the chance.
ReplyDeleteSorry this is just a long answer.. ha.
We decided to not get it done. It did not matter to us what the outcome would be - we would love our babe not matter what. Plus it isn't always accurate.
ReplyDeleteWe also decided NOT to do it. I have a sister with Down Syndrome and my parents doctor was so negative about them not getting the screening done to have been more prepared, but what difference would it have made? It's not like they would have aborted the pregnancy. We decided not to get it because we'd love and accept our child no matter what may or may not be "wrong". Just like everyone else said :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of the comments above :) And we decided not to do it for the same reasons. Hope things are going well for you!
ReplyDeleteAll of the comments above are exactly the same reasons we didn't either.
ReplyDeleteI agree with EVERYTHING everyone said. We also did not do it. If you don't have it in your family, I wouldn't worry too much about it! :-) I have also heard that quite a few insurances will not cover it unless there is a family history and still they may not, but that was a couple years ago so I don't know now. Good luck making your decision!
ReplyDeleteWe had it done with our first. But really at the ultrasound at 20 weeks, they can tell you if you really need to have it done. Like Julie said they can tell a lot of the signs at the ultrasound. My nurse said a baby can have every sign and be perfect or no signs at all have have downs. Plus, there isn't anything you can do to fix the problem. Good luck! :)
ReplyDeleteI think you should read this story, I am posting anonymously because I don't want people thinking I am a horrible person for wanting to get it done. I think it would be doing a disservice to you and your baby if there was something wrong and you didn't find out about it until they were born, and your reaction was sadness instead of joy. The grieving period for Downs is a rough one, better to do it before they're born than try to struggle with a new born who has special needs and trying to educate yourself at the last minute. However, this lady did find out about it in her ultrasound. So I'm sure it wouldn't matter if you got it done or not, but I think it would be helpful to know in advance. Plus it might just give you peace of mind.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.designmom.com/2010/01/ultrasound-memory-from-jennifer-byard.html
we didn't do it with riley, it wasn't even a concern. the truth is, if it doesn't run in your family and you aren't over a specific age it really isn't much of a concern. at least thats what my dr. told me.
ReplyDeleteThank you anon poster...I don't think that you are a horrible person for getting the testing done. I had it done as well. It doesn't mean that you don't love your baby or that you won't love your baby just as much if they have Downs. I just felt that for me no matter what the outcome was I needed to know so that I could prepare mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I am so glad to hear that people out there can say that it doesn't matter to them and that they would love their baby no matter what. I too will love my baby no matter what happens...but I also know that if I can be warned about something and have time to prepare that I will jump on that chance, especially something as life altering as Downs. But as with all tests nothing is perfect...even pregnancy tests can tell you that you aren't pregnant even though you really are. To me getting a false positive and worrying for 3 months outweighed the not getting it done and being surprised on the day my baby is born. But we are all different and all can do what we feel is best!
ReplyDelete