I Have Decided to Take the Test !

B.,
I had the test done and was told I most likely would have a baby with chromosome abnormalities. I cried for weeks until I had the amnio. My daughter was born very healthy. I would not have this test done again. If the baby has downs they will be able to tell on the sono.

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

I had no idea that I wasn't going for some regular test as my children are 13 years apart. I went for the nuchal fold test (spelling?) and was told it was on the large side and that the chances were 1 in something that my baby would have down syndrome or something. I elected immediately to do the cvs (where they pull fluid from the placenta while watching the baby on ultrasound - and check the chromosomes for an accurate diagnosis).

It was the most painful thing I have ever gone through. Not to mention, the doctor who I was sent to, had zero bedside manner. As I sat there and cried when he told me that the nuchal fold was HUGE and I should terminate, he went on to continue telling me about all the research he had done (was one year out of school) and that my child had a 1/3 chance of having some type of chromosomal disorder, a 1/3 chance he would have some serious issue like a heart defect, OR a 1/3 chance that he would appear normal but no one knows what is really wrong.

ALL this based on an average that differs with professional opinions (size of the nuchal fold).

I left bawling and although I would know for sure within 3 or so days about the chromosome test, I was so distraught I had no idea what to do. I called my husband, he came home, I told him that I wanted to be taken IMMEDIATELY for an abortion - no thinking just GO. (please don't judge, my obgyn told me that this is a VERY natural reaction).

My ob gyn then talked me into going to a completely different set of doctors for a second or third opinion and THEN would discuss other options. This was 4 days before Christmas. I went to my home state and my cell phone never left my hand. The doctor who performed the cvs called and said that the tests were completely normal BUT he still recommended termination. (this was Christmas EVE!)

I got back in town and my ob gyn had me into another specialists office in 2 days. This doctor said that the nuchal fold looked completely normal and was maybe a TINY bit on the high end of average. And, although he could not tell me that the first doctor was wrong, he did say this: "I can tell you that there is no way that a nuchal fold could be 'huge' and 6 days later be normal." He then said that the first doctor was just a year out of med school. I could tell he was extremely disappointed.

I went back to my absolutely WONDERFUL ob gyn (Dr. Ivan Rovner in Plano) and he stress tested the baby almost weekly and said that if nothing is wrong with my son it should go into case history.

My son was born by csection a week early, weighing 8 lb 15 oz. He is COMPLETELY 100% normal, and actually is extremely advanced. Extremely. He is 2 and 1/2 now and is being placed in a class room with older 3's because he is on their level.

He is a 4 year old in a 2 year old body. After he was born, my dad (a doctor) told me to write a letter to the original specialist who performed the cvs. I did, and received a letter back stating that he still stood by what he believed.

I was 11 weeks pregnant at the time, and had to spend my entire holidays with my family pregnant with a baby I had no idea what was going to happen with.

I don't know about a blood test, but I wish I could remember that doctor's name. He works out of baylor or medical city dallas.

I know this was really long, but if I were to ever have another baby (tubes tied but anyway) I would NOT do the probability or nuchal fold test. I would do cvs again if I had to. But I would NOT make a judgment on what one doctor says. My ob gyn, Dr. Rovner, was wonderful. He sat down with me as I cried and told me that he would support me in any way but please get a second or third opinion. I did, and I couldn't be happier. I am blessed with the most awesome little boy.

Sorry for going on and on, but I rarely tell the story b/c it is so complicated, but I can't stand the thought of someone going off one opinion!

Good luck!

Were you aware they can also detect D.S. with a normal sonogram? They simply measure the thinkness of skin on the back of babys neck and the width of the babys toes. We did this back in Nov when we learned the sex of the baby (a girl w/o D.S.) Either way we wouldn't have changed a thing, but it is also better to be prepared and educated. There should be no additional fee for this procedure. Good luck!

I took the test and wish I hadn't. It turned up positive which caused me alot of stress and heartache. I had to go to a specialist and go throught genetic counseling. The level II sono showed no markers and the perinatologist offered me a amnio. I refused the amnio mainly because of the risk involved but also because I knew I wouldn't terminate the pregnancy no matter the outcome. Turns out it was a false positive. I had a beautiful little boy. I will refuse the test with my next baby.

I opted not to have that test done with both of my pregnancies. I read that they could be inaccurate. I decided to enjoy my pregnancy and not add stress wondering "what if?" (should it come back abnormal). Both of my babies were fine, but I don't think I would have regretted that decision even if there were issues. Recently my neighbor had abnormal test results and she worried her entire pregnancy and even a little after the birth. She mentioned more than once that she wished she never got the test. You have to do what will help you sleep best at night.

I have a 13 month old little boy. When I was pregnant I turn down the test too. I put my childs health in Gods hand. I prayed for my baby to be a normal and healthy baby. I often put my hands on my stomache and prayed over him. God answer prayers and my baby was born January 9, 2008 weighting 8 pounds 14 ounces. Pray and turst God that your baby is going to be a healthy baby with everything that he/she is suppose to be born with.
Glory to GOD.

Just warning you. When I was pregnant they told me the blood test and amnio can come back with a false positive. So I decided not to. I was not going to send my baby back or anything.

I opted not to have the test done. For me it didn't matter the results b/c I was going to keep the baby I already loved.

The blood test is called the Maternal AFP, it is done around 18-20 weeks into the preganancy. This blood test not only detects downs syndrome, but also neural tube defects (spinal cord abnormalities)in a fetus. I had this test done with all of my pregnancies, except for the twins because with twins the values would come back abnormal anyway. I know that everyone says they don't have the test done because they are going to have their baby, and love it no matter what, but having the test is a good thing. If the test comes back positive either way, more testing is ALWAYS warranted, usually first a sono, to rule out signs of downs or spina bifida, and if that shows signs of either, then amnio or cvs. My nephew was born with a severe chromosome anomily 14 years ago, my brother and sis in law didn't have the test, had absolutely no idea there was anything wrong with the baby, they went through a week of pure heartache with that baby, and he died exactly a week after he was born. These tests are there to help determine if everything is ok, and if not, then a couple can decide if they want to carry to term or terminate. I know most people don't want to know, but knowing gives you a leg up on preparation for a baby, such as if it has downs, you can be prepared by looking for a specialist beforehand and know as much as you can to take good care of the baby when it gets here. Just for the record, I would never terminate a pregnancy either, but would sure like to be prepared for whatever is going to happen.

I didn't have the test with either pregnancy. Ask yourself this: If there is something wrong, what would I do? My answer was that I would love my child.

I had my 2 girls at the age of 36 and 39. I didn't do the test for either one. I knew that no matter what the tests results were, I would still have the baby and love her no matter what. So, for me, it wasn't worth taking the risk, it seemed needless risk.

My daughter didn't take the test either she said it didn't matter because she would love the baby either way. It turned out the my granddaughter was born with downs syndrome and she is the love of our lifes we couldn't love her anymore than we do. She has a mild case but they are the most loving children that anyone could ever want.

I had it done with my first born ten years ago and it came back abnormal which led to two aminios. My daughter was born perfectly healthy so the test was inaccurate. When carrying my twin boys three years ago, I opted out. The doctor was fine with it because he said the numbers would have been crazy any way due to multiples but if it had been one I still would have skipped it.

I had the test done in 2007 because the ultrasound showed signs of Downs. My portion after insurance paid was $815! & of course, my baby was born perfectly healthy. I have heard of women being told that their baby would be born with Downs & they delivered normal healthy babies. Unless youre going to terminate then I wouldn't do it. It stresses you out really bad & you don't need the added stress in your pregancy. My whole family & coworkers were freaked out until we got the results.