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Quad Serum Testing

Lindsay331Lindsay331
in 2nd Trimester

Hi Everyone.

My husband and I are expecting our second baby and decided to get the genetic testing done. Our Dr didn't recommend it to us only suggested that its an option if we wanted to know if our baby was "at risk" for Downs, Trisomy, SB and so on. We said ok. Found out that we had a 1/80 chance of having a baby with downs. I was like What?!?!?! Neither my husband and I have any family history and are both very healthy. Here is what we found.

-Only do this test if you plan on doing something with information, like if you would abort your baby based on the information that a DIAGNOSTIC test would provide. We went through the genetic counselor and had an amonio for CONFIRMATION. Remember, the blood work is NOT a diagnostic test, the only diagnostic test is an amnio.

-It doesn't matter if you have family history or not. Our genetic counselor told us that normal and healthy families can have babies with Down's.

-Be prepared for three-four weeks of pure hell. This test can really drain you and your partner. You will really need to rely on each other for strength, love and support.

-Ask questions. Your provider should be able to answer ALL questions regarding this procedure.

Finally, the procedure is relatively harmless. There is a slight risk of miscarriage associated with the amnio so that is why its necessary to be really  sure that you want to go through with the testing. Here's the thing, If you decide on the test and if the blood work comes back less than desirable and you don't follow through with the amnio could you really spend the next 19-20 weeks of your pregnancy wondering what if?  I know that I couldn't.

I know that I will NEVER go through this test again. It was horrible, a lot of false positives and only one way to find out FOR SURE is the amnio.

I know this is lengthy but feel that the majority of the women are confused! I know I was!

Much love to you all, Congrats and Good Luck!

Lindsay

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Re: Quad Serum Testing

  • MyOwnLadyMyOwnLady
    My doc asked if we wanted to test for stuff we wouldn't be able to do anything about besides abort or prepare for problems. We said no...we don't want to know...Our U/S looks good, no markers, so hopefully everything will be ok. I couldn't put myself through that stress! As for the amnio, I'm not doing that, either, as my blood type is A-, and I would have to get the RhoGAM shot after that...me no like needles! LOL
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  • Lauren9881Lauren9881
    On the flip side... Having the test can lead you to have further diagnostics done to determine exactly what may be wrong with LO. They can also reveal that the screen was a false positive. I know personally, if something was wrong I would want to know ahead to make preparations to have a special needs child (education, pediatric specialists, supplies, etc) and make sure I delivered in a place where specialists and NICU facilities could ensure the best possible outcome. Not saying you are wrong, just saying its a pretty personal decision that I'm sure we all have our reasoning for deciding what we did.
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  • katcarlskatcarls member
    imageLindsay331:

    -Only do this test if you plan on doing something with information, like if you would abort your baby based on the information that a DIAGNOSTIC test would provide.

    That is not the only reason someone would have this testing done.  Also, you aren't qualified to tell people when and why to do this testing.  They can speak to their doctor and make their own decisions.

    imageLindsay331:

    -Ask questions. Your provider should be able to answer ALL questions regarding this procedure.

    I know that I will NEVER go through this test again. It was horrible, a lot of false positives and only one way to find out FOR SURE is the amnio.

    If you had followed your own advice you would have known all about the test and the potential for false postives.  You also wouldn't have been surprised by the further testing you might have chosen to do because of the quad screen results.


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  • MrsH2youMrsH2you member
    So what happened? I noticed this is your only post. I hope you didn't come on here to freak hormonal women out.

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  • DebbieJS77DebbieJS77 member
    So Lindsay- are you waiting for your amnio results or did you already get them back? Hope everything goes well!
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  • EKate2010EKate2010

    imageMrsH2you:
    So what happened? I noticed this is your only post. I hope you didn't come on here to freak hormonal women out.

    I'm glad you pointed this out. This post is definitely unnecessary. Everyone has their own reasons as to why/why not to get testing done and its certainly something you would discuss with your doc prior to having the testing done.

    If all of this info is something you learned when your results came back, you were ill-informed to begin with. I knew very well that if the results came back with less than stellar results, it probably meant more screening. Also, I know that even getting an amnio isn't a surefire way of detecting Down's or other genetic disorders.

    Its nice to share opinons and I'm sorry you had a bad experience but I don't think it's fair to tell everyone not to do something because it wasn't all puppies and rainbows for you.

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