Freaking out over blood test result

Re: Freaking out over blood test result

• craftiemommie member

  October 2013

  I have no experience with this but I think it's good that your doctor is trying to put your mind at ease. I won't say try not to worry because that's impossible. I will say DO NOT GOOGLE. Google never ever ever helps. Google can't tell you anything, only your doctor can. Thoughts and prayers to you for sure, and let us know when you find out anything more!

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• Momackf member

  October 2013

  I'm sorry you are going through this! I don't have any advice for you , but t&p that everything is ok

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• ajastal member

  October 2013

  Stay off the Internet! It'll just freak you out more! My blood work came back showing that I had a high risk for Down syndrome and gestational diabetes. So I had to be seen by a perinatologist. They did more blood work and the wait was about a week and a half long! I went in for an early anatomy scan (16 weeks) to check on my placenta previa and the sonographer told me that the baby looked like it was missing a bone in its pinkies (marker for DS) I totally freaked out!!!! She had me wait on my side to try and get the baby to turn for a better look and when she can back, she said that she just happened to find my test results in the FAX machine... They were negative!! I went for another ultrasound at my dr office about a week later and the sonographer said that he saw the pinky bones!! Don't stress too much. I know it's hard. Good luck!!
  
  PS... I tested negative for gestational diabetes too!

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• katykatykaty member

  October 2013

  I'm sorry you are going through this.  I hope the weekend goes by really fast!

  
  

  
  

  

  

  
  

  

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• kristynachicago member

  October 2013

  Thank you for all of your words of encouragement!  The good news is that my parents are visiting from out of town this weekend so we have some fun stuff planned :-)

  
  

  @ajastal - thanks for sharing your story.  i'm so happy to hear that all of your follow up tests came out negative - what a relief!  :-)  

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• SamJustice member

  October 2013

  Not the most reassuring experience here, but this is mine.
  
  With DS, our anatomy scan showed that he had gastroschisis. His intestines were growing outside of his abdomen. We went in for a blood test after that. A couple days later a nurse called and said that the results were in and that, and I quote, "the baby has spinal bifida". I spent the whole weekend bawling because I thought my poor child would, on top of the gastroschisis, never be able to walk. My mom urged me to have an abortion (she now's claims that I was begging her to take me to a clinic and she refused. Total bullshit).
  
  Anyways, come Monday, we saw a genetic counselor. We told her what the nurse had said. She immediately apologized and told us that the same test for spina bifida was used to confirm gastroschisis as well as a number of not SO scary conditions.
  
  So like I said, not the most reassuring story. We'll be praying for you.
  

  February 19, 2010- BFP! March 14, 2010- M/C January 17, 2011- BFP! April 26th, 2011- It's a boy! Due September 20, 2011 May 2, 2011- Confirmed Gastroschisis August 7, 2011- Labor begins August 12, 2011- Max is born October 4, 2011- Max comes home!
  
  

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• ceh789 member

  October 2013

  Stay off google.  

  
  

  I want to share two things you should keep in mind - every pregnant woman has AFP in her blood - it is NOT only secreted if the baby has a disorder, it is just commonly higher than normal if the baby has a few issues.  It can also be higher than normal if the baby is perfectly fine - it is only a marker that prompts them to take a closer look.

  
  

  Second - spina bifida is a scary word that makes most people think of a baby with no covering on its spine - that would be a EXTREME case.  Many, many people born with spina bififida are asymptomatic - their "defect" is closed and they have no related issues.  Others have minor cases with visual deformity that can be closed with relatively minor surgery.

  
  

  Regardless - I'm sure you're terrified.  Please try to keep sane and stay positive.  I hope the weekend goes as calmly as possible - will be thinking of you.

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• bananna4 member

  October 2013

  Don't worry too much in advance! My AFP also came in above normal a couple of weeks ago and I was a nervous wreck unti we had an early anatomy scan at 18.5 weeks this Wednesday. Baby looks totally normal and the dr explained that your AFP levels have to be really high for it to be spina bifida and that most cases are just false positives on the blood work alone. We're at higher risk for placental issues in the third trimester with abnormal AFP levels though. Still I'm so relieved that the baby is ok. Fingers crossed your u/s goes well too and that this is just a false alarm!!

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• lillybelle30 member

  October 2013

  If it makes you feel better, I had my AS while I was waiting for my results from that blood test.  My doctor told me that everything looked good and specifically told me not to worry if the AFP test came back high.  She said it often has high results and that the anatomy scan was more reliable.   I pray that everything looks well for you at the anatomy scan.

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• kristynachicago member

  October 2013

  I just wanted to provide a quick update here - went in for the ultrasound on Tuesday of this week and the baby would not turn so they couldn't get the pictures of the spine that they needed.  Had to go back yesterday (Thursday 10/17) for another scan, and everything was PERFECT!  I also did a repeat of the blood work and all of my levels came back normal - ends up the initial test was a false positive.  I feel so relieved and blessed - thank you all for your support :-)  

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