So confused, can someone clear all this up.
I'm getting so confused about the screening I'm supposed to have done at my next appt. My doctor asked if we wanted the blood test screening to check for down's and other chromosomal abnormalities, its not required or anything. She said my next u/s won't be until about 20 weeks. The appt for the bloodwork is at 15w and a couple days. As I've started reading (online and in my books), this is a 1st tri screening and might give me false positives if I have it done after 12 or 13 weeks. Plus, I'm starting to wonder if there is a point. I just turned 25, so I wouldn't be high risk (but my husband is 37, does that affect anything?) I'm going to call my OB, but can someone clear this up a bit so I don't sound like an idiot on the phone. TIA
Re: So confused, can someone clear all this up.
There is first tri screening and second tri screening - I got two separate blood test requisitions and had to go in once before 13 weeks and have to g in once between 15 and 20 weeks.
It's up to you if you choose to do it; did you have the NT scan? My doc uses NT+bloodwork to paint the most complete picture possible without invasive testing. If you did the NT, I wouldn't skip the bloodwork. If you didn't to the NT, you might want to just take your chances and avoid the information.
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I had mine done at 11w5d. I figured I might as well have it done, even though I'm young (28).
15 weeks does sound a bit late?? I'd call and ask why they're doing it later then normal. You won't sound dumb; it's their job to answer your questions.
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DH and I decided to do the blood test but not the NT scan because the blood test was covered under our insurance and the scan wasn't. Our doctor also didn't really think an NT scan was necessary for us.
The first trimester blood screening has to occur between 10w and 13w6d. The second trimester blood screening has to happen between 15w and 20w. These dates are from the California Department of Public Health website, so I assume they are pretty reliable.
Your bloodwork appointment seems late for first tri screening. I would call and double check with them and make sure they know you haven't had your first tri blood draw yet.
What mine is is 1st tri bloodwork combined with the nuchal fold measurements, combined with 2nd tri bloodwork.
The 2nd tri bloodwork on its own doesn't give you much information at all.
Same with me! My doc doesn't do NT scans - only bloodwork initially and it's at somewhere between 15 and 16 weeks. I signed to do it, but the more I read about it, the more I think I don't want it. DH is against it anyway, as he knows it wouldn't change anything, we wouldn't do further testing (amnio or CVS), and our risk is very low (we're young and have no problems in our family history). I kind of wanted it just as a reassurance OR, as the case may be, as a way to prepare. The more I keep reading about false positives, the more I think if I get the tests done, I'm just causing myself undue stress and worry (when I'm a worry wart about this whole pregnancy anyway).
Good luck in your decision. I don't really think you can make a wrong choice - it's more of just what feels right to you!
Just to clarify, the 1st trimester screening is just that--a screening. It is NOT a diagnostic test. So there really aren't "false positives" because it's not a diagnostic test. It will tell you your odds of having a child with down's, trisomy 18, etc. If your odds end up being less than your age related risk, usually nothing further is offered. If your odds are greater than your age related risk, then further testing is usually offered. Diagnostic tests are more invasive (CVS, amnio) but the miscarriage rates are between .5 and 1%. As an aside, these estimates are thought to be high, especially if you go to someone who specializes in performing them. You would have to decide if, for instance, you were told you had a 30% chance of having a child with ____ (Down's, trisomy 18) , if you would want to do amnio or CVS to get diagnostic results.
This is my personal opinion but I do NOT think the screening should only be for people who would terminate a pregnancy. I would rather be prepared, do research, get doctors lined up, etc than be surprised at the birth. Also, some fatal abnormalities can be detected too and I'd rather know that ahead of time, but that's my opinion. And there are plenty of women without any known risk factors who end up having a child with one of these chromosomal problems just as there are plenty of women with risk factors who go on to have a healthy child.
Sorry so long--you have to decide what fits for you. And I do think it's worth a call to your OB b/c it seems they have you scheduled on the later side for a 1st trimester screening, although you could request to be seen soon if you wanted the 1st tri screening. Good luck in your decision!
^This. All of it. Especially:
Just to clarify, the 1st trimester screening is just that--a screening. It is NOT a diagnostic test. So there really aren't "false positives" because it's not a diagnostic test.
I also get tired of the sub-text that only baby-killers do prenatal testing.
There are numerous reasons to do the testing, even if you would not abort.
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I called the doctor's office and talked to Dh last night about it. We decided to cancel the screening because of the risk for false positives and because we wouldn't go through with other testing anyway. I will have an u/s at around 20 weeks to check for abnormalities (this is the one were we could find out gender if we wanted) and if it shows any then I can worry and prepare.
Thank you to everyone that responded. I think I was able to get a clearer picture of what was going to happen and make a better decision that I initially did when my OB asked, mainly because with your answers I was able to look for information in the right places. I in no way think that the screening is for only people that would terminate, but I do think it wouldn't be worth it if I won't have amnio or CVS, since as one person said, its only diagnostic. Plus, as young as I am and with no family history of what they are testing for, I'm most likely low risk anyway.