Should we do the 1st trimester U/S screening or save the $

Fisherman'sWife · January 2011

Hi all, I really haven't done much research on this but I figured this would be a good first place to come.

Last week we met with my OB who cleared me for a normal pregnancy. I am 25, classified as overweight, but no other health issues that will effect this pregnancy. I have no history of genetic disorders and even if something was identified I would say it would be very unlikely that my husband and I would choose to abort at this time. Anyways, my OB said they can do 1st trimester screenings and/or 2nd trimester screenings. He said for us it was purely a personal decision (aka not medically necessary at this time). Both are done with a stronger ultrasound machine in a different office (called the Center for Maternal-Fetal Medicine).

So, I'm not sure what the difference is between the two screenings are. Is one better than the other? Obviously there would be more to see at the 2nd trimester screening but is there benefit to trying to see early?

Anyways, I just called my insurance and they said the 1st trimester screening would be an additional $200 for the ultrasound and office visit. We also just got hit with the OB bill for $500. My husband is a student and I know these numbers don't sound like a lot when it comes to the health of your child, I just don't want to waste money if its not necessary. Additionally I am currently 10 weeks (measuring bigger than my ticker) and have already had three ultrasounds and heard the h/b twice.

Can anyone offer advice into the advantages/disadvantages of the 1st ti screening and possibly the 2nd trimester screening. Should we look into doing both, one or the other, or possibly even neither??

Thanks!

chillyupnorth · January 2011

even if something was identified I would say it would be very unlikely that my husband and I would choose to abort at this time.

We are choosing not to do any screening for this exact reason. We are taking it in good faith that God will do what is best.

twohniyt · January 2011

My husband and I decided to have the test. Should something show on the tests we would not choose to abort the pregnancy either, but instead would use this information to plan accordingly for the future financially.

gbtc01 · January 2011

We opted out of it with our DD. The testing is a predictor only and doesn't mean the child will have any issues just that they have a chance due to this this or this.

For us no matter if there was a 100% chance there was a major problem it wouldn't change how we would proceed with the pregnancy.

If there is a family history of genetic disorders or Down Syndrome and whatnot you need to weigh whether or not the chance of there being a possibility of it occurring for your baby is knowledge you want now or at birth.

kjuryfl · January 2011

chillyupnorth:
even if something was identified I would say it would be very unlikely that my husband and I would choose to abort at this time.
We are choosing not to do any screening for this exact reason. We are taking it in good faith that God will do what is best.

Agreed.

LJR 84 · January 2011

If my insurance covered it, I was going to do it this time. I was told only if "medically necessary". Otherwise, it's out of pocket since I haven't met the deductable. I don't think we're going to do it now. I'm 26 and have no family history, so it wouldn't be covered. We will just wait for the 20 week u/s.

Fisherman'sWife · January 2011

Thank you guys so much for all your responses. I just see so many people having this test done and the mommy guilt is already setting in.

I think we will skip the 1st trimester screening and wait and see if we want to do the 2nd trimester screening (I think this is when they can actually look at the development of the heart, brain, and other body systems).

alioopsiedaisy · January 2011

chillyupnorth:
even if something was identified I would say it would be very unlikely that my husband and I would choose to abort at this time.
We are choosing not to do any screening for this exact reason. We are taking it in good faith that God will do what is best.

this is exactly what I was going to say. FWIW, if our insurance didn't fully cover the test we probably wouldn't do it. Not because we don't care about LO's health, but because it really wouldn't make a difference for us.

Chitown chic · January 2011

We had the first trimester screening done yesterday, mainly b/c our OB recommended it (I have some chronic health problems, so she thought it would be good for us to consider). Also, our insurance covered it. Without those two factors, I probably would not have done it. It wouldn't have changed our course anyways, but I do feel better knowing things look good. Plus we got to see our baby wiggling around for a good 20 minutes!

Themetastic · January 2011

I will not be having the NT scan or CVS done. Like you said, we will not abort for any reason so I do not feel the need to know the probability if our child will be born with a genetic disorder. My doctor explained how it used to be something only offered to women over 35 but now they are supposed to offer it to everyone.

Also the one test where they stick in a needle to extract fluid from the sac scares the heck outta me. The risks, to me, are not worth knowing the probability of something being "off" about our child.

Don't feel bad.

megd06 · January 2011

We will not be doing any 1st tri screenings. I'll do the AFP test in 2nd tri, but that's it. The only reason I'm even doing that one is only because if there are any spina bifida issues, those would have to be taken care of before birth--otherwise we wouldn't be doing any testing.

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