What testing are you doing?

galwaybabe

If you don't mind sharing, that is.  I had a little skirmish with an abrasive nurse at my last doctor's appt who ran through the testing options so quickly that my head spun.

I'm doing my homework now to decide what, if any, we will be doing, and I just wondered what other people are doing.  My doc was pretty mellow about it -- said that I don't need an amnio and she doesn't do the CVS, so the question really comes down to the sequential screening.

All thoughts are appreciated!

grace28

If it is invasive...I am not doing it unless my doctor thinks it is necessary...if there is any testing done through scans and bloodwork-that is more for me. I have to talk to my OB at the next appt to decide what I really need.

MixiePixie

I think I'm going to skip all of the optional testing.  There is NO family history of ANY genetic issues on either side of our families, and from reading on here about NT scans it sounds like half the time they are inconclusive and then you get freaked out for no reason.  Also, if I did an NT scan there is apparently only one place in Cleveland that does it and it is on the opposite side of the city.  I would have to miss half a day of work for it.

gobigblue

i don't think we're doing any.  you may want to look into the NT scan.  non-invasive (just an u/s) and then a prick of your finger.

MommyMar2010

We are doing the NT scan (this friday) which is no big deal, just go give blood a week before and they do an ultrasound to see the likelihood of the baby having down syndrome and trisomy-3 (i think that's the other one).

As far as the other, more invasive procedures--definitely not.  I dont think our NT scan will show anything for us to be concerned about given that i'm 28 and healthy---and the other screenings are just not necessary unless your doc gives tells you are high risk or if you have a family history.

But again, these are all personal choices.

Hope that helps!

betsnup

I didn't do the NT scan or the Quad Screening with #1, but I think that I will elect to do them this time around.  I didn't w/ #1 because we have no risk factors, and we were happy with the 20 week u/s alone - the 20 week may or may not indicate tri-18, etc but we were ok with that.

We have decided to get the NT scan with this pregnancy, though, because the new practice we are going to doesn't do a 20 week u/s, they do it at 32 weeks.  So we'd like out find out any issues earlier this time around.

ditzydi_2000

MixiePixie:

I think I'm going to skip all of the optional testing.  There is NO family history of ANY genetic issues on either side of our families, and from reading on here about NT scans it sounds like half the time they are inconclusive and then you get freaked out for no reason.  

 

We are leaning towards not doing the NT scan as well.  Why worry yourself over test results that are inconclusive?  My doctor said the test procedure is only 3 years old and despite having an 80% accuracy rate, I don't think 3 years is long enough for the medical community to really be able to determine if it's a "success".  I also think that it's just another way for medical providers to milk more money out of our insurance companies. 

We are both young, with no family history.  So in the event the numbers come up high/low/whatever we dont' feel it's healthy for me to stress myself and the baby out for the reaminder of the pregnancy. 

galwaybabe

Thanks for your answers, everyone.  I'm going to discuss it with DH, but I think we are going to opt out of the testing.  I appreciate the insight!

babygirlpriest

I'm getting tested for everything - but between my age, identical twins, medical history - well, I'm sitting nicely in the high-risk catagory.

Even before we knew about these complications we were planning on the basic testing (bonus of an extra u/s and simple bloodwork). We are both firmly in the "want to know worst case scenario" camp so we can be fully prepared for any potential challenges.

I know it can be scary, but for us it was important to put being as fully prepared as possible above easing our personal anxiety.

Bhobbsdz

I will do all the recommended testing this time as well.  I am also having a 2nd level u/s this time.  DD is perfect and healthy, but I would rather have the testing and know if there is an issue, so DH and I can be prepared to be educated on the situation and ready. 

stpetegirl

We are doing all non-invasive testing. I'm the kind of person that wants as much information as possiable. Plus, we get to have an early ultrasound this way.