Maternal Alpha Fetoprotein Testing

pfefferlel

A question for you ladies. Are any of you familiar with Maternal Alpha Fetoprotein Testing? I already had my first trimester screening and had normal results. My physician (was actually seen by a PA) gave me a lab order for the Maternal Alpha Fetoprotein testing at my 16 week appointment which is a component of the quad screen. I asked her if she would recommend the screening and she shrugged her shoulders and didn't offer any advice. Only said that it was up to me. We've already seen the baby via ultrasound and have confirmed that the abdominal wall is closed. We've also seen the nural tube in the first trimester screen which measured well within the normal range. I can't think of another reason this testing would be necessary but I don't want to skip over something important. I've been trying to get a hold of my doctor's office but they haven't returned my phone calls. Just thought I'd check with all of you to see if you're familiar with this testing and if you've had it done. Thanks!

MrsLabRat

The AFP blood test is drawn in the second trimester, and if it is elevated it may indicate some sort of disorder (spina bifida, neural tube defect, etc). For me in CA, it was also a component of the screening (first tri bloodwork, NT ultrasound, and second tri bloodwork). Using those results and other factors such as your age, the Dr will calculate your risk for certain disorders. If your insurance covers it (it probably does), I would say why not get it done, it is just bloodwork, not an invasive test

AngRN0512

Just FYI it has a high false positive rate. My dr said about 1 in 9.

MrsNunes

I had it done, and they found a slightly elevated risk from my bloodwork. I keep going back and forth between freaking out and talking myself down because everything from first tri testing has been normal. Because of my result, they're sending me to the high-risk doctors for my anatomy scan. I found out last Wednesday and my scan isn't until next Thursday (2 wks later). I agree with pp, it's just a blood draw, so you might as well. As for me, I'm going to be on pins and needles for the next week and a half!

LilyGracesMommy

With my DS I had bad odds and ended up with an amino, everything was negative; but I do agree with the false positives ( since I personally experienced it)

MrsTMGJR

@mrsnunes
I had it done, and they found a slightly elevated risk from my bloodwork. I keep going back and forth between freaking out and talking myself down because everything from first tri testing has been normal

I am in the exact same situation as you. I was told Friday and still don't have an appt scheduled. I'm hoping it's soon. This is nerve wracking!

ncbelle

I skipped it as I'd already had my anatomy scan and felt comfortable that any issues would have been noted then.

lizok22

MrsTMGJR said:

@mrsnunes I had it done, and they found a slightly elevated risk from my bloodwork. I keep going back and forth between freaking out and talking myself down because everything from first tri testing has been normal I am in the exact same situation as you. I was told Friday and still don't have an appt scheduled. I'm hoping it's soon. This is nerve wracking!

Same here, next time i am going straight to materni21 test.  No more of this guesswork.
If you are AMA, just go straight to the free-cell DNA test.  much more accurate.

MrsNunes

It IS nerve wracking! We'll have to catch up with one another after after out scans and compare notes. I was going to mention it on here before, but didn't want my worries to be mistaken for being a drama queen.

Thank you, @LilyGracesMommy for your input. I did read about the false positives while "researching" but it helps knowing that someone did go through it and everything turned out fine. Here's hoping!

Steveswife2

My test came back with elevated risk on Friday. As I already see a high risk dr, they were able to get me in today for an apt with the geneticist to explain the results and possible causes and I had an ultrasound appointment today. The ultrasound ended up being the equivalent of the anatomy scan (so cancelled the one I was going to have in three weeks). My ultrasound didn't show any issues but they offered that I could also do an amnio, if I chose to. After three previous losses I opted to do the amnio for peace of mind, but the dr had told me that ultrasound could pick up about 95% of any of the defects associated with neural tube defects. Also, for those mentioning harmony and similar tests, just an FYI that those actually do not test for neural tube defects, so cannot be used to confirm elevated risk for neural tube defect results. Good luck to all of you, it is a very scary feeling hearing that we are at an elevated risk for anything for our babies.

sarahlynnc317

I just received the call today that I have elevated levels. they will be sending me for an ultrasound sometime next week. I don't know what to think. I am somewhat still in a daze. I think I will stress until I get some answers next week.

abastian00

sarahlynnc317 - sending you lots and lots of positive thoughts! Try to take care of yourself and relax this next week, and keep us updated!

lizok22

Another thing this test can pick up is possible placental issues: an abruption, iugr, preterm labor, preeclampsia, and low birth weight. They can tell this all from the AFP number. Very interesting but again can cause unnecessary
worry

RedMar

Ughhh I have been going through this the past 3 weeks and it is a roller coaster from hell. On Friday we have an appointment to see a specialist in Syracuse bc the neural tube AFP came back high. I have heard of this happening to few ladies and their babes came out fine. I'm hoping this is the case for us. I too will opt out of the amnio. All of this is so scary being a FTM