prenatal testing

darcella19 · March 2014

Is anyone else planning on getting any of these done? I've been reading up on it and trying to understand the difference between CVS, amnio, prenatal blood tests, etc. I'm also curious to hear what my doctor advises or has available on my first prenatal exam on March 31.

Thanks!

By the way, I'm new here and am almost 5 weeks pregnant. First pregnancy. EDD is Nov. 7.

abbyful · March 2014

They typically don't do the more invasive tests unless something (blood test or ultrasound) reveals there may be issues.

I'm planning on the NT scan and blood test.

mrsodonnell12 · March 2014

I won't be doing any of it.

mjay79 · March 2014

I've never done the extras. We have blood tests at 12 weeks, anatomy scan at 20 weeks and the GD test around 28 weeks, I may ask to not do this one oh and the lovely group b strep test. May opt out of this too.

too_excited_to_sleep · March 2014

@Mjay79, You can opt out of the group b strep? Good to know...

Krikin13 · March 2014

I was reading about the materniT21 test today and I'm really tempted. It can be done at 10 weeks to look for chromosomal abnormalities and as a bonus tells you the sex. I believe it's $235 out of pocket. I'm going to ask my RE at my next appt

mjay79 · March 2014

@too_excited_to_sleep, I'm sure as heck going to ask. I know the answer, it's been the same all 3 times. And we have to do this test ourselves..at home!!! lol

nirern626 · March 2014

I had all the routine tests done first time, and will this time as well. I like info! I had cervical cancer in 2009, and surgery to remove about 1/3 of my cervix, so I also get weekly cervical length checks from 14-24 weeks. I may ask about the materniT21 test this time too.

mrsodonnell12 · March 2014

I will do the group b strep test and probably do the glucose challenge, although we will see what my mw says about that one.

I guess I don't see why you would skip the group b strep test? It's very easy.....

mrsodonnell12 · March 2014

mjay79 said:
@too_excited_to_sleep, I'm sure as heck going to ask. I know the answer, it's been the same all 3 times. And we have to do this test ourselves..at home!!! lol

You actually don't know what the result will be because it can change from month to month and pregnancy to pregnancy.....

mjay79 · March 2014

It really isn't a big deal. Always been positive. Easy or not, I've done it 3 times and I'm looking for less poking and prodding. I know how easy it is, all 3 times I brought my giant qtip home with me and did it at home, myself. Like I said, I will see if they will let me opt out. To each their own.

abbyful · March 2014

mjay79 said:
It really isn't a big deal. Always been positive. Easy or not, I've done it 3 times and I'm looking for less poking and prodding. I know how easy it is, all 3 times I brought my giant qtip home with me and did it at home, myself. Like I said, I will see if they will let me opt out. To each their own.

They had you do it at home? My OB does it in the office. Do you have an OB or midwife? (Note: I'm not questioning or side-eying you; I jus find it interesting how differently various practices do things.)

too_excited_to_sleep · March 2014

Very interesting... That glucose challenge was so unpleasant for me. That cocktail they make you drink made me super jittery and nauseous, like I chugged a pot of coffee on an empty stomach.

mrsodonnell12 · March 2014

too_excited_to_sleep said:
Very interesting... That glucose challenge was so unpleasant for me. That cocktail they make you drink made me super jittery and nauseous, like I chugged a pot of coffee on an empty stomach.

I felt the same way both times ive done it. Hate the glucose test!!

mrsodonnell12 · March 2014

mjay79 said:
It really isn't a big deal. Always been positive. Easy or not, I've done it 3 times and I'm looking for less poking and prodding. I know how easy it is, all 3 times I brought my giant qtip home with me and did it at home, myself. Like I said, I will see if they will let me opt out. To each their own.

You might be negative this time

hiketheworld · March 2014

DH and I are doing genetic testing tomorrow- the Ashkenazi Jewish panel. This is the kind that tests for whether we are carriers of certain genetic problems. We were going to do this before we got pregnant but luckily we got pregnant right away. Once we find out those answers we will see if our baby is at risk before deciding on other testing.

mjay79 · March 2014

I'm in Canada, Quebec to be specific. Things are done very differently. Right off the bat, we are only seen around 12 weeks for our first appointment. No such thing as running to the doctor as soon as you get a positive, unless there are medical reasons for it. Doing my own swab is what we all do with an OB. i'm going with a midwife this time, so I don't know what their rules are. I guess you could ask the doctor to do it, but from what I have heard most women aren't even aware when the doctor does it, that's how simple it is. Just awkward when you know what the test is.

@mrsodonnell12, if it will give you peace of mind, I will do it, just for you.

But seriously, I just want to know ALL my options.

abbyful · March 2014

mjay79 said:
I'm in Canada, Quebec to be specific. Things are done very differently. Right off the bat, we are only seen around 12 weeks for our first appointment. No such thing as running to the doctor as soon as you get a positive, unless there are medical reasons for it. Doing my own swab is what we all do with an OB. i'm going with a midwife this time, so I don't know what their rules are. I guess you could ask the doctor to do it, but from what I have heard most women aren't even aware when the doctor does it, that's how simple it is. Just awkward when you know what the test is.

@mrsodonnell12, if it will give you peace of mind, I will do it, just for you.

But seriously, I just want to know ALL my options.

Most women in the USA don't go in until 8-10 weeks. Those of us going in early for betas either have had miscarriages, had trouble conceiving (under care of an RE), or are high risk for some other reason.

I'm in the first category, had a miscarriage last time. With pregnancy #1 (DS) & #2 (miscarriage), I went in at 8 weeks. When I had my miscarriage, they told me to call right away next time I got pregnant (current pregnancy). I did, and they brought me in for my 1st beta draw the same day, which was 3w5d.

mjay79 · March 2014

You don't know my history and I've been around a few bmb. Like I said there are differences.

SweetMelissa5 · March 2014

I'll get the NT scan, but I personally wouldn't get a CVS or amnio unless I had abnormal results or significant risk factors.

mrsodonnell12 · March 2014

mjay79 said:
I'm in Canada, Quebec to be specific. Things are done very differently. Right off the bat, we are only seen around 12 weeks for our first appointment. No such thing as running to the doctor as soon as you get a positive, unless there are medical reasons for it. Doing my own swab is what we all do with an OB. i'm going with a midwife this time, so I don't know what their rules are. I guess you could ask the doctor to do it, but from what I have heard most women aren't even aware when the doctor does it, that's how simple it is. Just awkward when you know what the test is.

@mrsodonnell12, if it will give you peace of mind, I will do it, just for you.

But seriously, I just want to know ALL my options.

We are going to get along just fine

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