Comments on: Normal Prenatal Testing?

By: MJ

MJ — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:36:16 +0000

when i was pregnant with my second child, i didn’t find out until i was eleven weeks, but at my twelve week ultrasound scan, i was actually fourteen weeks pregnant, so it was too late for me to have the Nuchal Translucency test done. i was advised to have amniocentisis, and told there was a 1% risk of miscarriage, so after discussing with my partner decided that we thought the risk outweighed the benefit.

even if the test had shown me to be high risk for downs syndrome, or another genetic abnormality, we wouldn’t have done anything anyway…we were just delighted to be having a child no matter what.

when i had my next child, i did have the Nuchal Translucency test done, as it is none invasive, and although our attitude hadn’t changed, we did also think it was good to be preparred (i was a few years older by this stage too so would have been higher risk).

read all you can, make an informed choice and stick to your guns.

By: Danni

Danni — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 22:47:27 +0000

Congratulations to both of you

I hope things go well, no matter what you decide.

By: Nissa Annakindt

Nissa Annakindt — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:15:49 +0000

If you are going to have any testing (for Downs syndrome, for example) it might be important to have a doctor who is prolife to ensure he won’t pressure you to abort. I’ve heard of doctors who insisted on scheduling an abortion in such cases in spite of the loud objection of the mother-to-be.

I personally would not have done the genetic testing. The main reason behind most of it seems to be the elimination of ‘defective’ children, and if you are not planning to do that, it’s just an extra worry.

By: Autumn

Autumn — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:02:47 +0000

I waved all the testing.. and I was pregnant at 40 years old.

I feel it (like everything) is a personal decision.. let others give advice.. listen to it.. then listen most importantly to what’s going on inside you. You’ll know best. Good Luck!

By: chaoticidealism

chaoticidealism — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 06:23:05 +0000

I think if I were pregnant, I would have any testing that was safe. That rules out things like amniocentesis or CVS, which are invasive enough to raise the chance of miscarriage and should only be done if a non-invasive test suggests a problem.

I’d want to know about things ahead of time, so they could be treated. Some things can be treated while the child is still unborn, others do better if there’s special equipment or a specialist available in the delivery room.

No abortions, certainly. Knowing, however, is a good thing, as it means you can be prepared and perhaps even start treatment. Pre-natal diagnosis has saved the life of the fetus before.

By: Katelyn

Katelyn — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:32:57 +0000

i am already taking prenatal vitamins

i am confused you say to make are values clear but still go threw the testing ??

By: Liz D.

Liz D. — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:15:16 +0000

Congratulations!

Grandmother version of Liz here: take your prenatal vitamins!

I would strongly suggest a frank conversation, detailing both mother & father’s medical history, with your OB-GYN. Make your values clear.

Sample scenario for undergoing genetic testing while committing to carrying to term, no matter what the outcome of the testing

Let us say that your child-to-be does have trisomy 21 (Down syndrome). Some with this condition have serious heart defects, requiring emergency post-natal treatment. If your OB-GYN knows about the Down syndrome, he or she will be prepared and will have a cardiac team on notice.

So in short I’d urge you to get the testing that your OB-GYN recommends.