Quad Screening During Pregnancy

Hi B.,
I just wanted to chime in and tell you my story...I had the quad screen with baby #3 (it wasn't available for the first 2). I was 37 at the time, and the results came back with a 1 in 40 chance that the baby had Downs. I freaked for a little while, and then, with my doctor's guidance, my husband and I decided against having an amnio. We did have a high-level u/s, which showed no markers for Downs, and that made me feel a bit better. However, the quad screen really just caused unnecessary stress and worry, b/c my daughter was born with all chromosomes intact. I wish now that I would have thought about what I would do with the information I got from the test...since dh and I were strongly against abortion b/c of chromosomal defects, there really wasn't any reason to have the test in the first place. I just did it b/c my doctor acted like it was the standard protocol. So you really have to decide for yourself whether or not any information you get from the test would be useful to you. Would you have the amnio if you got a positive result? Would you and your husband consider termination if there was something 'wrong' with the baby? If the answer to those questions is yes, then go for the test...if not, then what's the point? Best of luck to you!

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Since the Quad Screen doesn't actually diagnose anything, just signals the POSSIBLE need for further testing, I am not sure why you feel as thought you have to convince your doctor. You DO have a choice in the matter--in fact, it is completely your decision.

Unless you have one or more of the specific risk factors that indicate the need for this test, your OB should not be pressuring you. A simple, "I understand the information and risk, but we've decided to forego this screening." should do the job.

Quad Screen has a margin of error--I won't quote an exact number I can't remember--in the double digits.

I stopped using OB/GYNs after multiple bad experiences with routine care and miscarriages. For my last two pregnancies (one full term birth), I used a wonderful midwife. I had the option for all the tests and screenings, but it was always 100% my choice.

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I was really considering not taking this test when I was pregnant because termination wasn't an option in my mind. I talked it over with some family member who work in the medical field and changed my mind. What changed my mind was that IF there was something wrong knowing it ahead of time might help to make some different choices when it came to doctors/pedi/hospitals. Better to have the knowledge and be better prepared.

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I agree with a lot of the other women. I didn't realize that the quad screening is just a screening and can not give you an answer. To get the real results you have to get an amnio. My husband (a physician) was strongly against having an amnio so we decided that there wasn't any reason to get the quad screening, especially because it has a high rate of false positives. I think if you don't plan on aborting because of the results then you have to consider if you want an amnio. Good luck!

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I did not have the testing with my first child. I was told there is a high chance of something coming back with a false positive and that if it did I would be encouraged to get an amnio. It also would not have changed anything because I would not have terminated. With my second I did get the testing. I am now a NICU nurse and I wanted to be forwarned if something was wrong so that I could be in the right place for the birth and early interventions could take place. I also needed that peace of mind. Good luck to you!

I didn't have it. I didn't want it, it wasn't going to change any decisions I had already made, and their is a chance of false positives which would only give me 6 months of worry (and stress on my baby) only to find out nothing was wrong. It's our choice, I am almost finished with my doctorate so I think it is easier for me to stick to my guns, but I also have more peer pressure.

I am pregnant with #3 and have never had the quad screen done. I think it is a useless test that only causes worry. There is a high rate of false positives with that test and unless you are going to have an abortion if there is something wrong with the baby I don't think mom's should get the test done. I also forgo all sonograms and most of the other testing that is recommended.

L.

I was 35 when I was pregnant. I chose not to have the testing done, because I would not have terminated the pregnancy regardless of the outcome. You shouldn't have to "convince" your doctor of anything. It's your choice. All the doctor requires is that you sign off on the paperwork, because they are legally required to give you the options. If you ever feel as if a doctor is making you do something that you do not want to do, find another doctor. Blessings on your pregancy.

I didn't have it with either pregnancy...it wouldn't have made any difference in my decision to carry the baby to term. I didn't want to have to worry about a false positive and with the sheer number of ultrasounds I was given I figured that any major problem would be caught.

My doctor asked me if I wanted the screening...I said no...he made me sign a form stating the test had been offered and refused...that was it, no pressure to have it done.

There are some defects that can be noted in an ultrasound, such as spinabifita. My friends with Trisomy babies also noticed them in the ultrasound and some with Downs saw them in the ultrasound. Sometimes there's a surprise...but the screening has a high level of error and the amnio is more accurate.

Amnios carry a risk of infection, rupture of the membranes, preterm labor. I've had one, went into labor. My mom had 4, went into labor each time. With the high rate of false positives in the regular screening it's just not a diagnostic tool and MUST be backed up by an amnio, otherwise you're just left wondering if you indeed have a baby with some major problems.

I've not had the screening with all 5 of my children.

S.

My decisions were based on the same reasoning as others who have written to you. I did not have the quad screening for any of my 3 pregnancies. It was not available for the 1st. By the 2nd pregnancy I knew enough to ask whether knowing something would enable the doctors to fix anyting in utero...the answer was no. So I felt no desire to get tested because terminating a pregnancy is not an option in my mind.

By my 3rd pregnancy, I opted to have an amnio after learning I had a boy and ONLY for the option of finding whether he would have the same chromosomal abnormality that I learned I carry. The reasoning was that it would enable me to secure him with early intervention if necessary. I only decided to do an amnio after finding a highly, skilled specialist since performing an amnio carries a risk.

I had to sign a refusal against the quad screenings. I did have one specialist who tried to convince me that I needed to have it but after explaining to her that I knew that there were a high # of false positives and that ultimately there were no interventions to assist in a healthy birth, she relented.

I hope your pregnancy is smooth and your healthy little one brings you much joy in your life. Stick to your beliefs and your decisions. A good doctor will be informative AND supportive.

Barb,
I wish you all the best. I dont have an opinion about quad screening. Just wanted to say that, I too, have a toddler that will be 3 on Feb. 7th...small world!! Mine was born at 11:15 am. Unfortunetly, I will not be having another child, so, Kudos to you and happy, healthy birthing for the next one!!!

M. :)

i dont think our insurance covered it. the doctor mentioned it to me and i told him it really didnt matter. there was no way of fixing what ever problems there would be anyway. we get what we get. he was fine with that and agreed. i simply told him we didnt need it done. the ultra sounds and other factors did not make this screening seem nessissary. everything looks fine. congrats on your new baby.

B.,

Happy new year!! My kids are 18 and 20 so this test may be a better indicator then it was when I was Preg. My Dr. presented it to me very matter of factly. He simply said I needed to decide if temenating the pregnancy as a result of the test was even something I would do.

My answer was no, and I just had to sign a rejection form, offering this test is to protect the Dr. from being sued if the baby should be born with something wrong. Plus you may end up aborting a healthy fetus.

Enjoy those babies they grow up fast--A.

I have 4 kids and did it only once (the first one)! they can't even give you a gurantee result they give you a percentage of chances of a problem. Needless to say I was so worried through out my pregnancy and he was just PERFECT.

I'm pregnant with #4 (21 weeks), and I've never had any of the testing done beyond the standard blood tests, glucose test, and ultrasounds. For me, aborting wouldn't be an option even if the tests showed abnormalities, and I figured I would deal with it later if something were wrong. (All my babies so far have been perfectly healthy.) I didn't have to convince my doctor of anything; I simply told him I didn't want to have the tests done, and he accepted my decision without any pressure whatsoever.

My doctor just asked me and I had to sign a form to say if I did or did not want the screening. No pressure, completely up to my husband and I. So I think if the dr is pushing it that sounds strange, although I know drs have their idiosyncrasies at times. If you don't want it just say no, they can't make you have it. If you do decide to get it, as others have said if there were anything that seemed abnormal, don't worry about it. For us, whether we had it or not would not change any outcome or anything so I think we did get it, but honestly can't even remember!

I am a 40-year-old mother with a four year old and a one year old. We denied the testing on both my children. My youngest turned out to be Down's. We denied the testing because these were God's children, and He would help provide for them no matter the circumstances. I had wonderfully healthy pregnancies with both children. My one year old was not referred for Down's testing until her two month checkup. It was positive. I was ever so grateful to not have filled my pregnancy and birth with the overwhelming feelings that accompany such a diagnosis. She is still God's child and He still will help us provide for her. I will admit, though, it's a lot easier to talk the talk of faith than walk the walk of faith. However, when you really need the faith, you don't have any other choice but to have faith. God always delivers on that faith. Parenthood alone is a walk of faith like none other, special needs child or not. I would never trade my pregnancy or delivery or newborn period not knowing she has Down's for anything. She was very healthy, and we had no reason to freak out. I did my research when we knew what we were facing and fought hard to see to it she was getting the medical screenings she needed.

My doctor was wonderful about us not wanting the screening. His reply to our reasoning was, "God will reward you." He has. She's doing great under the circumstances. Yes, it still knocks the breath out of me occasionally, but I turned her conception and birth over to God from the beginning. To waller in grief is selling Him and her short. I have no idea what her limitations will be and pray I fulfill her potentials.

If you don't want the test, don't do it. It's too inconclusive and amnio poses such a risk, I don't feel it's worth it. No matter what, it's a ride of faith.

Congratulations on your pregnancy! Enjoy it all to the fullest and let God fill in the blanks.

I chose not to, because at twenty weeks, what would I do about it anyway if I found out my baby may have a problem?? Abortion was not an option for me, and I didn't want any extra stress being pregnant. I have faith that my baby will be a healthy one, and if not, I will deal with that bump in the road when it comes! My doc had no arguments with my decision.