Your thoughts on prenatal screening tests

[JaneDoe]

Okay . . . my husband and I have been considering whether I should submit to the Triple Screen test or the AFP test. I completely understand that they're screening tests and not diagnostic tests. But, if I were to be tested and either one of them came back "positive" indicating that I'm at greater risk, it would cause so much worry. So, I'm thinking in this regard: ignorance is bliss. I know that doesn't sound all that rational.

My husband thinks I shouldn't take any of those tests either, but for different reasons. First, the 20 week ultra-sound will be able to catch most problems that those tests screen for, although the u/s is not as good at detecting downs syndrome. Second, he feels that the odds are in our favor to have a healthy baby, so why screen to check the "odds" again. Finally, what ever the results of those tests are, we both feel that it wouldn't change what we do with the pregnancy.

That said, I still have reservations on whether we're making the right decision. Perhaps, we should have the tests to either put our minds at ease or prepare for any possible complications. Ugh . . or maybe I just worry too much.

Anyone else want to add their opinions on this topic?

I just had my blood draw for that test yesterday! I did it with the first pregnancy as well.
While the odds are certainly in my favor for having a healthy baby, I would prefer to find out about and prepare for any problems well before the delivery rather than having it be a surprise. And if you do get a "positive" test, more testing or screening is done for more specific results.
I know that you can't find this from the triple screen and AFP....and not always on the ultrasound....but after seeing a friend go through a cleft lip and all the surgeries with her baby....I would want to know ahead of time. Her daughter had cleft lip (as opposed to more serious cleft palate) and it was just a really tough reality check to face as she was adjusting to parenthood and trying to figure out how to take care of a baby. (Her first and she hadn't been around babies at all). It was a really stressful time for them. If they could have known about it before, known what kinds of surgeries to expect, etc, I think it would have been easier for them. I think that would apply to a variety of conditions that a baby can be born with. Based on that, I feel like the triple screen and AFP were good choices for us.

[Rapunzel]

I did not have any genetic testing done with any of my pregnancies. If the results of these tests showed problems there is absolutely no way I would use a possible or probable disability to end a human life. I also am fairly certain from pregnancy complications I've had in the past that I would not want to worry for 5 to 7 months about whatever possible disability my child might be born with. It would make my pregnancy much more stressful. I've also found from speaking to parents of children with genetic abnormalities such as Down's syndrome that there really aren't a lot of resources to "prepare" parents for these things.

Additionally, sonograms do pick up many potential problems such as Down's.

Jennifer

[Meenah]

How does ultrasound pick up Downs?
When I was pregnant with my girls (now 18 & 19) I was very oblivious.
Luanne

I think that there are certain measurements that can be taken with ultrasound to look for Down's -- I think with certain skull measurements. Some other potential problems can be detected that way, as well, I think. But a level II ultrasound is much more accurate for that sort of thing. Maybe this is new technology that wasn't available with your girls?

[DCJenn]

There are a few disabilities that can be found prenatally- the Downs stuff isn't always accurate but from my experience in the field, it's better to be prepared. The parents that I have worked with have described the process as going from planning for your child to be the President to planning for your child to sit up. With all that encompasses.

Luckily, the world is much better prepared for children with developmental (intellectual) disabilities than in previous decades. Although it's by no means great (other wise I wouldn't have to be out inspecting group homes on a weekly basis) the field has advanced and there are tons more resources.

I don't know if anyone here has a child with an intellectual disability but if anyone has testing that would indicate that- the best thing to do is to contact the numerous advocacy and support orgainizations and find out all you can about what kinds of services are available in your area. The 'professionals' have finally started to realize that it's often better to provide in-home supports to the families than to remove a child. (which should always be a last resort but one that can also be a legitimate choice, depending upon the individual family and the individual child.)

Certain states are better than others in terms of understanding the support needs of parents. Military families have the EFMP program to get hooked into which will help coordinate services for any family memeber with any kind of disability.

I know this might not be the kind of thing that people want to think about during what appears to be a healthy pregnancy- but I wanted to let you all know that although having a child with a disability will be difficult, there are lots of supports available.

Jenn