I am nearly 11 weeks pregnant (tomorrow) and my hubby and I don't want to get the downs test, I am only 22 and the risk is low for my age (hubby is 25) I have done the research and I've decided that for us this test isn't necessary fo me. Am I being ridiculous? should I just do the test and get it over and done with? I plan to have a normal 1 week scan to check the development etc but I'm not 100% on getting the downs test done, I wouldn't be able to terminate a pregnancy for religious reasons despite what "may" occur so is there any point of getting this scan done???
My DH and I chose not to have the test done because whateve the result would have been we would have had the baby regardless. If as you say you are going to have the baby anyway, maybe it's not worth the stress? You are young and it is unlikely that you would have any probs anyway (not to say there is no risk of course!).
There is absolutely no reason why you should have to have the downs scan if you don't want to! It has always been an optional scan anyway, and if you know it will not change anything for you regardless of what you may find out, then there is no need to worry about it. It looks like you have already made your decision.
Lisa, truly there is no "right" answer to this. Only you and DP know what is right for you. If you feel that you don't need the test, then you don't. If on the other hand you would spend the next 5 months worrying about whether everything is ok or not if you don't have it, then perhaps you should have it. Some people choose to have the test even if they wouldn't terminate, just so that they could be prepared for an abnormality rather than having it "sprung" on them at the time of the birth. But it is a very individual thing. As you say you are at low risk being so young, so there is no need to have the test for any reason other that the fact that YOU think you should have it, or would feel better if you had it.
Good luck with your decision and your pg. I hope that your decision gives you peace of mind.
DH and i choose not have have it down for either of our kids because, like Kellie...would would have the baby regardless of what the test results were.
Hi Lisa, I never had it done for my babies because I would never terminate my pregnancy so it seemed rather pointless.
That said, I was tempted so that I could have a peek at my bubbas.
Even if you did get the test they need to do amnio to confirm which carries a risk of miscarriage. So if you got the test but then decided against amnio it's possible that you could carry a burden of worry during your pregnancy that you wouldn't have had without the test.
As Melanie has said, there's no "right" answer - only one that's right for you. I hope that hearing some other people's opinions helps you make a desicion that you're happy with
Lisa, I had the test because I'm older (35 and so in the 'risk bracket') but we talked a lot about it before we had it done. Lucky we did because we came in with a high risk result, and went on to have a CVS (good results). Both DH and myself agreed that Downs syndrome was not enough of a reason to terminate a pregnancy, but we would rather have the knowledge in advance of baby being born, in order to educate and prepare ourselves. On the other hand, there is a whole raft of other major genetic abnormalities (non Downs) that are detectible once you get to the CVS or amnio stage, that are likely to result in either a late miscarriage or stillbirth, and we preferred to know early on rather than remain blissfully unaware and then have a horrible surprise near the end of the pregnancy. Hope this helps with your decision.
Hi Lisa, I had the test done both times as I'm an "older" Mum (36) but both times they came back with great results. If you don't want it then don't feel pressured to have it done, it's optional anyway.
I would however have the 18-20 week scan done as some abnormalities can be fixed while the baby is still in utero so it's advisable to do it. Having said that I don't mean there is anything wrong with your precious bundle it's just wise to check to make sure at the 18-20 week mark and then if anything needs to be done it can be.
Good luck with your bub, and don't be pressured by what other people think is "normal", do what you believe in and what your heart tells you is right for your little family.
I had the NT scan, even though I wasnt really in any risk category. I was 22 at the time, but I had it more for the reason that if there was something wrong then I might be able to find out and that would give me the chance to do as muchresearch as I can, join some support groups etc. I wouldnt have terminiated the pregnancy though.
Hi, I had the NT scan and bloods done and was placed in a very low risk category (I'm 38) and this is baby # 2 for me. I recently had the morphology scan and a small unilateral choroid plexus cyst was found in my baby's brain. It's a soft marker for chromosomal abnormalities, and after doing some extensive reading about this, these cysts are synonymous with Trisomy 18 (aka Edward Syndrome)which is similar to Downs Syndrome. I checked my NT report and I'm very low risk for the baby to be Trisomy 18...but the good thing is, they usually disappear.
I think at your age, you've got nothing to worry about, but if it sets your mind at ease, go ahead. I believe it's not rebatable from Medicare which bites. I paid $199.00 for my NT scan.
The 12 week test measures the thickness of the fat at the back of bub's neck and that, combined with a blood test, gives them a result with the odds of having down's syndrome ie 1 in 20. If the results are high they will then do an amnio test or cvs test which gets some of bubba's DNA which can be used to test for downs and some other conditions such as cystic fibrosis. HTH
hello dachlostar
thanks for that,
do you know how long this has been around for ?(as I dont remember even hearing about it with my other bubs)
and how accurate is it ??
thanks again
Hello
I had my test done end of last week, was not really given a choice, I was just told to have these tests done by my OB, I am only 25 so was not concerned. When I realise what they were for I still went ahead with it, I think its torture not knowing if everything is OK, well that’s my personal experience. I would have kept the pregnancy regardless, but I think its more the mental preparation, and knowledge.
My results came back perfect and the scan was amazing, seeing little bubs.
This is you decision hun, I also wish you all the best with your pregnancy...
I agree with almost everyone. Having the test or not is entirely YOUR and DP's decision. For me, I had a NT scan and blood test done even though I knew my chance is very minimal. In a way, I did it for a peace of mind. The test was pretty expensive as it is not covered in Canada so I had to pay almost 400$ out of my pocket. If you don't feel the need to do it, then don't feel pressured because your age is considered a low risk group!
mumanddadof5, the scan and blood test are just a screening test, not diagnositic, so they just give you odds of having downs or other chromosonal abnormalities. They don't give you anything definite. This is why if the results are high risk (which depending on the doctor and your own situation, high risk could be anywhere from 1:6 to 1:300 or even more, it is an individual decision) a follow up diagnostic test, either amniocentisis or cvs is done. These tests are accurate but carry a risk of m/c. Many people choose to have the NT test as it can put your mind at rest if you get a result like 1:2000. But many women will get 1:20 or similar but have no problem, so this is a cause of stress as they need to decide on further testing and wait for it etc. So there are advantages and disadvantages to it.
I didn't have the Down's test. My doctor told us there is no point having it unless we were willing to terminate the pregnancy. There would be no way I would have been able to terminate the pregnancy so I decided not to have it done.
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