FTS? - First Trimester Screening (TW - abortion mentioned)

peregrinemama

So I have my fts scheduled for next Tuesday and I'm not sure if I want to keep the appointment or not. My only hesitation is that I grew up with a story from my mom where she was deemed "high-risk" for down's with my oldest brother (her first) and her doctors at the time encouraged a termination. Since that, she elected to skip the screening for the rest of us. Oh and he was born perfectly healthy with no chromosomal abnormalities. 

I want to make sure I'm informed and ready for baby with or without a condition, but I think knowing a risk will just cause me more anxiety and worry. I haven't talked to my ob or therapist about this concern specifically but my therapist has emphasized in this entire process that I should minimize my anxiety as much as possible. I'm not currently anxious about this because as long as baby is born, I'm happy and prepared to do whatever they need me to. 

Does this sound jaded? Has anyone else chosen to not do the screening?

portentosa

I didn't do any of the screening at all with my first two kids because I was in my late 20s early 30s and my OB at the time presented it to me as completely optional.

This time I'm in my late 30s and am doing screening, but anything that comes back positive will require much more testing and counseling before I make any decisions about my pregnancy. 

rac2718

I completed the NIPT blood work today and will have results in about a week. I am 39 and have a 4 year old. If the results show high risk, I'll continue on for an amniocentesis to confirm and make a decision based on what is best for our family. 

brennybird

I am scheduling the middle of the road screening option—not the latest/most accurate but not the oldest/least accurate. I’m in my late 20s and am not super worried, but I’d like an idea of whether I should be preparing for any possible needs baby might have. (I also work in the developmental disabilities field so I suppose I think about the possibility more than most! And maybe with less anxiety attached.)

It’s up to you and whether you feel it would give you peace of mind—sounds like it won’t!

megsmith27

I elected not to do that screening but electing to do the other screenings. If they find something with that test, like spinabifida, they can be ready and prepared for the birth. They also said there could be other things proactively now they can do early on in the pregnancy to help correct some issues they may detect with some of the tests. 

knottieaa75994820a49c81

I opted out of the test for my son. He is now 7 and he’s healthy and fine. The margin of error 8 years ago was 20% and for me that was too high. I just want to enjoy my pregnancy without the fears. I’m already nervous about everything. The thought of makingit worse was incredibly difficult for me. Now I’m 37 instead of 29 and I might get it depending upon how much margin of error there is now. Tbh I’m still going back and forth with it. My OB appointment is on the 7th and I’m still unsure

peregrinemama

Thanks for the input everyone!! I'm opting out of the appointment because I wasn't getting the greatest vibes from the perinatal office. When I go in for my next OB on the 7th,  I'll ask about the later screening options. 

40npregz

I didn't want to do the test, but my husband really wanted to know the sex ASAP... so after 2 1/2 weeks of waiting (was supposed to be 7-10 days), I finally got the results that it's a boy and I have positive markers for Trisomy 18. and now I wish I hadn't done it. I see the perinatologist July 6th and I'm sure there will be a longer wait for those results.. ugh

paperbirdlady

I originally didn't want any screening but my niece (sister's baby) has cystic fibrosis so my doctor encouraged me to test for that. I'm a carrier and I was extremely stressed out until my husband's test came back negative. It wouldn't have made us terminate because a life with CF is still a life worth living and the world is a better place because my niece is in it. I also have a friend in my volunteer program who has Down syndrome and he's a delight (he's another an adult volunteer working alongside me, not a client we help).

I had a conversationwith my husband to make sure we're both on the same page that we want this baby no matter what. I don't think it's fair to assume he's up for caring for a child with special needs just because it's his own blood. Some people just can't handle it. He was clear, he's in 100% for whatever we get so that made me feel better about deciding to do noninvasive screening but no invasive follow ups to diagnose. I'll still have the anatomy scan at 20 weeks even if I skip any screening/tests.

People on reddit made feel bad for declining the NIPT even though it's just screening, not a diagnosis and not a cure for anything. We will not terminate so we don't need to test and stress early (or possibly needlessly). Now is the best time to he born with any health conditions. There are so many treatments available that didn't exist when our parents were having children. I later decided to do NIPT also but not for the chromosome abnormalities screening...just to find out the baby's sex sooner. I haven't felt the way I thought I would about pregnancy (all anxiety, no excitement) and I'm hoping the image or a little boy or girl will help me feel some of the joy my husband displays. I may also start talking to a therapist because I think it might help me stave off post-partum depression. Whatever you decide is okay. 

kdrn913

@40npregz how stressful ! I’m so sorry, Hope your next appt goes well and you get some answers. A friend from a previous bump group had that happen and baby was completely healthy! 

firsttimemommydec22

I just received a NIPT high risk result for Trisomy 21 and did a CVS and waiting for results. My husband and I have been a wreck. But I’d rather know…