Downs testing - anyone not having this?

[mumdream2013]

hi there,

me and my husband have chosen not to have this test for various reasons.
1. if the scan showed high risk - would I go ahead to the 2nd test where miscarriage risk involved, I don't think we would, and we would then be worrying the whole pregnancy.
2. if we are high risk or it was downs, we would still go ahead anyway with pregnancy.
3. this is our 3rd ivf try and our babies are precious, what will be will be.

Is there anyone else thinking the same?

thank you xx

 

[fdcsw126]

my oh have decided not to do any genetic testing because it wouldnt change our minds about the pregnancy or our baby, we see our bean as a blessing from God.

 

[MissingBubs]

We didn't have it with my Daughter and won't be having it with this baby either. For the same reasons you listed.

 

[pinkpassion]

We won't either, for the same reasons you listed. We view this baby as a miracle so it wouldn't matter to us either way!

 

[hmusgrove]

I agree with your decision. I haven't decided whether or not I'll have the test, but I wouldn't chose to terminate the pregnancy even if the baby was at risk of having it. I guess the reason I would do the test was to be more prepared, but I agree with your decision. Also, I've been asked to have the sequential screening done which looks for neural tube defects because I'm on anti-anxiety medication which hasn't even proven to cause any birth defects. My insurance doesn't cover this screening, and I'm not sure that I would get it anyway, my baby is what it is.

 

[jenmcn1]

I totally agree with you. This is my 3rd baby, and we have never had any tests done, and we will stay with that decision for this pregnancy as well.
The risks with an amnio are not worth it in my opinion

 

[Krissykat1006]

You ladies just put the biggest smile on my face and I'll admit I cried.

My DS has Down Syndrome, I didn't know prior to him being born and it was so scary in the beginning not being prepared, but I wouldn't change having him in my life for anything. I dove right into learning everything I could and took it one day at a time.
I've been thinking about whether or not I was gonna test and I finally decided I wasn't. I talked with my husband about this the other night and he agreed that it wasn't important for us to test and know.

I wish you all a happy and healthy 9 months

 

[Rachie004]

I'm having the screening which carries no risk, so the blood test and NT scan, if that came back as high risk I'm not sure what we'd do regarding the CVS, it would depend on what the results indicated. We would rather be forewarned and prepared which is why we're opting for the initial screening.

I brought it up with OH after our booking in appointment where the midwife discussed it with us and we both agreed that it wasn't worth us placing a huge amount of emotion into it unless it is an issue that we need to actually consider.

 

[o0oCharlieo0o]

I have had the blood test and scan with every baby so far, but it would not make a difference to me what the result was i would not go for the second testing and risk losing my baby, i have the blood test and scan and if they were to say i was high risk thats as far as the testing goes, my baby would be perfect with or without Down's syndrome xx

 

[catty]

We didnt have it with our baby or the new baby. I didnt regret it, I think if there had been any heart defects etc that could be related to downs im sure they would tell you anyway but id rather not test and stress myself.

 

[amslou]

Definately not having this test. Apparently they do it at the 12 week scan in my area now... i never had it with dd and wont be doing it with this one. Like most say it will make no difference and not only that my midwife was saying its only a risk factor they cant actually tell you if your baby has downs or not so whats the point in adding another stress to something thats hard enough.

 

[ItsAWonder]

I am having the tests because they test for things that are much more severe than Downs - like major organ malformation. If something severe would cause my child to have a lifespan of 3 days and be in excruciating pain during that time, well, it could affect my decision.

Issues like Downs are another story and not as much of a concern but it's nice to be prepared if that is a possibility. I would want to talk to people who have children with Downs so, from day 1, I know how best to help my baby.

I also will not do further testing though as any miscarriage risk is too high for me - even though it's less than 1%.

 

[viccat]

Me and my OH are of the same mindset. Both of our brothers have mental health challenges, and they are much loved family. Our child would be no different.

 

[viccat]

I am having the tests because they test for things that are much more severe than Downs - like major organ malformation. If something severe would cause my child to have a lifespan of 3 days and be in excruciating pain during that time, well, it could affect my decision.

This is my main concern, and didn't think that the blood tests could show that, just the ultrasound? I would be interested if anyone could point me in the direction of relevant articles?

Thanks

 

[kerri28]

I agree with your decision. I haven't decided whether or not I'll have the test, but I wouldn't chose to terminate the pregnancy even if the baby was at risk of having it. I guess the reason I would do the test was to be more prepared, but I agree with your decision. Also, I've been asked to have the sequential screening done which looks for neural tube defects because I'm on anti-anxiety medication which hasn't even proven to cause any birth defects. My insurance doesn't cover this screening, and I'm not sure that I would get it anyway, my baby is what it is.

I have to agree. We would only do for the purpose of being prepared. We have always chosen not to because we believe in pregnancy being as natural as possible without posing any risk to the baby or myself.

 

[jenniferannex]

Me and my DH aren't having it either, we just don't see it being a need to do. It wouldn't matter to us either way

 

[ItsAWonder]

I am having the tests because they test for things that are much more severe than Downs - like major organ malformation. If something severe would cause my child to have a lifespan of 3 days and be in excruciating pain during that time, well, it could affect my decision.

This is my main concern, and didn't think that the blood tests could show that, just the ultrasound? I would be interested if anyone could point me in the direction of relevant articles?

Thanks

I am having both a blood test and ultrasound. The doctor said the blood test can look for issues such as organs growing on the outside etc as it's commonly caused by genetic disorders. (And I am talking about more severe issues than one organ on the outside which can be operated on.) For issues like this, if the first u/s is clear but the blood tests show high risk, they will do another genetic ultrasound at 20 weeks. He understands that I am not interested in more invasive tests. Unfortunately I do not know of any articles but you can google search medical journals.

This recently happened to a friend of mine. She had her 20 week follow up scan and things were so, so bad there was no chance of survival. It was heart wrenching.

 

[Scout]

I feel the same as most people here in that I would not terminate no matter what (goes against my personal beliefs); however, I did do the screening and testing. My reasoning was that I'd want to be prepared and, more importantly, I'd want my doctors prepared for any intervention that may be needed. Also, I had planned to birth at a small hospital about 10 miles from my home. Had there been any problems with the baby, I'd have wanted to birth at the larger, level 1 hospital since they have more resources and specialists. I actually did have a risk of 1:11 for trisomies 13 and 18 (both of which are devestating) and 1:17 for trisomy 21 (downs). I didn't want an invasive test either, so fortunately, there are tests now that are not invasive. I did the one called the MaterniT21 which extracts the fetal dna out of the mother's blood and then can look at the baby's chromosomes. There is no risk at all to mother or baby. (It's not available yet in all countries) i understand why some people don't want to know, but, for me (I think it's my personality bc I'm like this with everything) I have a need to know what to expect even when I can't, or wouldn't, do anything it. Heck, by the time they do the screening and testing i was already too madly in love and nothing would have changed that.

 

[Fairydust22]

This is my 6th pregnancy I have never had the test with my others so I won't be having this time even though I'm worried a little by the risks as I'm 35 now

 

[jenmcn1]

The blood test (with NT scan) is not all trhat accuate. My doctor told me that the blood test can still come back 'high risk' and yet have a completely healthy baby. The NT scan is good but the blood test is unreliable.