Optional Pregnancy Screening Tests

blessdtxas · April 2014

I know it's a little early, but what do you think about the optional screening tests (such as the multiple marker screen or cystic fibrosis)? Will you take them? I'd love to hear reasoning!

My husband asked me last night, and we both agreed to opt out of the optional tests. I am interested what you ladies think about them! This is my first, so I really have no idea what I'm doing or what to expect!

nopegoat · April 2014

I didn't with my first two and won't be doing them with this one.

LupeVallejo · April 2014

based on our age, family history, and a few other things, the doctor put me at such low risk, that we didn't do it with our first, and won't with this one either. The chance of a false positive is so high, and can cause so much worry with some of these tests… I'd rather just go with my gut instinct.

blessdtxas · April 2014

@twolittledogs oh, I read it was optional? I haven't been to my doc yet, so just trusting books and the interwebs for now!

mrsdabruzzi · April 2014

I didn't do them with my first two and won't with this one.

MommyKristin88 · April 2014

LupeVallejo said:

based on our age, family history, and a few other things, the doctor put me at such low risk, that we didn't do it with our first, and won't with this one either. The chance of a false positive is so high, and can cause so much worry with some of these tests… I'd rather just go with my gut instinct.

Same here. The CF test was a part of my initial blood work, but I don't do any optional testing.

nopegoat · April 2014

More than likely if anything is truly wrong they will catch it later on during the 20wk scan. Like @LupeVallejo‌ said, way too many false positives and added stress for me.

nesenotes · April 2014

I do them. I'm a planner, and I just have to know. Same with the sex. I also figure if it's not so great news I have time to prep myself mentally. I need time to process things. Just the way I'm wired.

nesenotes · April 2014

twolittledogs said:
Cystic fibrosis is done in the early bloodwork, it's not typically an additional test.

I think this depends on your ethnicity. For me it was an option to add.

jlbeanza · April 2014

I do them even though I'm low-risk because my insurance covers it, and like @nesenotes‌ said, I'm a planner. They don't give you a "positive" result for much of it, more like your chances. For me, finding out that my DD's chances of a chromosomal disorder were 1 in 10,000 was a huge comfort for me last time. The NT scan was bloodwork and an ultrasound so it wasn't invasive, and I wanted as much information as I could get.

To each her own, however.

blessdtxas · April 2014

nesenotes said:

I do them. I'm a planner, and I just have to know. Same with the sex. I also figure if it's not so great news I have time to prep myself mentally. I need time to process things. Just the way I'm wired.

I'm typically like that too! For some reason, I don't think I will with this. We'll see though

That day at the doctor's office hasn't come yet...

Manateearmz · April 2014

Yes I will. I considered not doing it this time around but my husband and I agreed want to be as prepared and informed as we can be.

Meether · April 2014

Our insurance only covers it if you're over 35. Otherwise, it costs thousands of dollars.

MAdams728 · April 2014

I did CF and Fragile X testing before ttc my DD. Then we opted for the NT scan and bloodwork in the first tri. Some of those wont need to be repeated again, and we will probably not do the NT scan again. It caused a lot of stress.

I am 34, right before the AMA cutoff. I would like to do the MaterniT21 blood test, but it will depend on the cost and if insurance will cover it, since I am not technically AMA.

AngelSong76 · April 2014

We didn't do any of the optional screenings with our son, but we will this time. I'm 37, so higher risk of some things. And I just want to know. I like to plan and research, so if there are any potential issues, I want to be able to do that. Knowledge is power.

MAMAxB · April 2014

No

Lekaitron · April 2014

Manateearmz said:
Yes I will. I considered not doing it this time around but my husband and I agreed want to be as prepared and informed as we can be.

This is how my husband and I are feeling as well. Positive or not, we want to learn & prepare as much as we can. Good luck.

marriedinaugust · April 2014

I didn't last time and will not be doing them this time.

Duckie419 · April 2014

I really don't want to do anything that's not necessary. I will love my baby regardless of any medical issues and learning ahead wouldn't be a good for my mental/emotional state or baby's.

ZAP12 · April 2014

I do. I like to be prepared and read up on stuff if I need to.

FoxiePM · April 2014

I had a false positive for Downs Syndrome with my daughter 10 years ago. It caused a ton of unnecessary stress and the cost of an amino. I am sure tons of things have changed since then but I will not be getting the Triple screen or any other optional test. I don't even want to know the sex.

brittandjp · April 2014

We didn't do any of the optional screening with DD, but then at our 18w anatomy scan, we found that her kidneys were enlarged (a soft marker for DS). They were closely monitored throughout the rest of my pregnancy and always remained on the larger side. We were so worried the entire time, only to deliver a perfectly healthy beautiful baby. After birth, they did an u/s on her kidneys yet again and they were perfect. So, all that worry for nothing. Therefore, we will get the NT scan this time around. It wouldn't change anything other then us being more prepared if the scan caught an abnormality. I'd rather know than spend the second half wondering like we did with DD.

blessdtxas · April 2014

Interesting! So many things to consider. Thanks for all your feedback!

MAdams728 · April 2014

I'd like to make a point. In these threads, you hear a lot of "it wouldn't change anything". But termination isnt the whole point of these tests. And certain outcomes WOULD change things. As other posters have mentioned, the info that can be obtained with some of these tests can change the course of your prenatal care, such as seeing an MFM instead of a regular OB, or having the knowledge ahead of time to have a cardio or pulmonary team waiting at the birth, or knowing that you will have to give birth at a hospital that can provide a higher level of care. In the case of a friend of mine with a Tri18 baby, she knew that she would not be taking the baby home, and she was able to prepare herself as much as possible. She was thankful that she knew.

There is no right or wrong when deciding whether or not genetic testing is the choice for you. Just remember that people do it for different reasons, and for many of them, termination isn't even one of them.

Duckie419 · April 2014

MAdams728 said:
I'd like to make a point. In these threads, you hear a lot of "it wouldn't change anything". But termination isnt the whole point of these tests. And certain outcomes WOULD change things. As other posters have mentioned, the info that can be obtained with some of these tests can change the course of your prenatal care, such as seeing an MFM instead of a regular OB, or having the knowledge ahead of time to have a cardio or pulmonary team waiting at the birth, or knowing that you will have to give birth at a hospital that can provide a higher level of care. In the case of a friend of mine with a Tri18 baby, she knew that she would not be taking the baby home, and she was able to prepare herself as much as possible. She was thankful that she knew.

There is no right or wrong when deciding whether or not genetic testing is the choice for you. Just remember that people do it for different reasons, and for many of them, termination isn't even one of them.

You're completely right. I apologize for my previous statement. Especially if it came off as insensitive or like I was shunning others who chose to test. I guess I'm still pretty ignorant on all of this and didn't consider all the options. Although I still lean towards not doing this tests this time around I really appreciate you writing this post. It was eye-opening for me

blessdtxas · April 2014

MAdams728 said:

I'd like to make a point. In these threads, you hear a lot of "it wouldn't change anything". But termination isnt the whole point of these tests. And certain outcomes WOULD change things. As other posters have mentioned, the info that can be obtained with some of these tests can change the course of your prenatal care, such as seeing an MFM instead of a regular OB, or having the knowledge ahead of time to have a cardio or pulmonary team waiting at the birth, or knowing that you will have to give birth at a hospital that can provide a higher level of care. In the case of a friend of mine with a Tri18 baby, she knew that she would not be taking the baby home, and she was able to prepare herself as much as possible. She was thankful that she knew.

There is no right or wrong when deciding whether or not genetic testing is the choice for you. Just remember that people do it for different reasons, and for many of them, termination isn't even one of them.

Thank you for this!

vlevitt · April 2014

this is my second, and as with the first, we'll be taking every test available to us. we want the option of terminating the pregnancy should we get a serious diagnosis. i'm not overly concerned as the chances of deformity, disease or what have you are relatively rare. but we want the option nonetheless.

allonsyalonso · April 2014

I tested negative for carrying CF last time so I will opt out this time. We did the NT last time and will probably do it again. Like others have said, the result of the scan has no bearing on our decision to have the child, but it will make a difference in how we prepare for them.

Cheekers2010 · April 2014

kdm06c said:

More than likely if anything is truly wrong they will catch it later on during the 20wk scan. Like @LupeVallejo‌ said, way too many false positives and added stress for me.

Exactly. Even though I am AMA, I know they will catch anything that I need to be prepared for at the 20 week. Given that I would not choose to end the pregnancy even if they found a fatal issue, it doesn't me any good to know even earlier than the anatomy scan. The possibility of false positives would just cause me extreme anxiety and I have enough to deal with.

JunkieBrewster · April 2014

Because of my age, will will go with the Materni21. it doesnt give chances, it gives a clear YES/NO and gender. Harmony test gives percentages, and I don't give a shit about those.

MrsNash37212 · April 2014

With the new blood tests, false positives are actually extremely rare. They can tell you with nearly 100% accuracy whether the baby has any of the trisomies because they separate the baby's actual DNA from your blood.

Also, on my last BMB a girl found out at the NT scan that her baby had spina bifida. Between the testing and preparation required, she still barely qualified for the en utero surgery at 27 weeks. Finding out at 20 weeks would have been too late and would have affected her child's outcome for a lifetime. That sealed it for me.

TroopT45 · April 2014

twolittledogs said:
I thought the CF screening was required (maybe it's required when baby is born??). It's done via blood work since it's in your DNA. Either you are a carrier or you aren't. I am a carrier and the only reason I knew this was because my blood work came back positive.

Also, I have zero family history of CF. I'm not sure if DD ended up being a carrier. Probably something I should ask her pedi about.

@twolittledogs the CF screen is done as a newborn and you would have been notified by LO's ped if they were positive. We also had no family history on either side of CF but E came back positive. We were told at his 2 week checkup and were sent to have a sweat test done at around a month old if I remember correctly. It turns out he is a carrier and no one has ever been diagnosed because the mutation is a mild version (just makes you more prone to respiratory problems).

They offered to test DH and me as well but we decided against it since insurance wouldn't cover it and it would not change our family plans.

Spartanmama722 · April 2014

We had the NT scan and quad screen done with both previous pregnancies and will again this time (or whatever similar testing is available now). I have a family history of spina bifida and would want to have all the info available as early as possible if there were an issue with this baby. We will not have cf testing done though because DH and I are low risk for being carriers.

Cheekers2010 · April 2014

MAdams728 said:

I'd like to make a point. In these threads, you hear a lot of "it wouldn't change anything". But termination isnt the whole point of these tests. And certain outcomes WOULD change things. As other posters have mentioned, the info that can be obtained with some of these tests can change the course of your prenatal care, such as seeing an MFM instead of a regular OB, or having the knowledge ahead of time to have a cardio or pulmonary team waiting at the birth, or knowing that you will have to give birth at a hospital that can provide a higher level of care. In the case of a friend of mine with a Tri18 baby, she knew that she would not be taking the baby home, and she was able to prepare herself as much as possible. She was thankful that she knew.

There is no right or wrong when deciding whether or not genetic testing is the choice for you. Just remember that people do it for different reasons, and for many of them, termination isn't even one of them.

This is indeed true. However, for the most part, you will find out all the same things at the anatomy scan. Optional testing usually refers to additional testing, like the NT scan, Maternti21, etc.

JunkieBrewster · April 2014

Sorry, I meant the NT scan.

LadyRoarsome · April 2014

I'm definitely considering it. I didn't with my first and at about 10 months old he gave a really big scare. It was the scariest month of our lives, so now I'm contemplating it.

murphy420 · April 2014

I am considered a higher risk, I'm 35. I was also considered a higher risk 4 years ago with my 1st. My doctor scheduled an amnio. I was absolutely terrified...but the test wasn't as bad as I thought it would be (and free in canada). The 2 week wait for results was hell - but we would know 100% percent about the sex and potential concerns. The phone call for results, that we were having a healthy baby boy..... Was 1 of the best days of my life.

skidderdo · April 2014

We declined CF screening with our last pregnancy because our ethnicity puts us at a super low risk... and we did and will opt for genetic screening because we would not carry a pregnancy to term if there was a major issue. That's not done until closer to 12 weeks though

BankerBSN · April 2014

twolittledogs said:

Cystic fibrosis is done in the early bloodwork, it's not typically an additional test.

CF is considered a genetic screen and patient can opt out of it.

blessdtxas · April 2014

SamHurn said:

I had a cleft so I have extra anatomy scans, I also have antibodies so I have to have a fetal echocardiogram at 22 weeks to check for heart blocks. I have to make sure certain neonatal teams are not needed during delivery.

@samhurn - Just curious (and I'm sorry if this is a dumb question)...how did they know you have antibodies? From your normal blood work? Like I said,I have no idea how any of this works

pjswife · April 2014

MAdams728 said:

I'd like to make a point. In these threads, you hear a lot of "it wouldn't change anything". But termination isnt the whole point of these tests. And certain outcomes WOULD change things. As other posters have mentioned, the info that can be obtained with some of these tests can change the course of your prenatal care, such as seeing an MFM instead of a regular OB, or having the knowledge ahead of time to have a cardio or pulmonary team waiting at the birth, or knowing that you will have to give birth at a hospital that can provide a higher level of care. In the case of a friend of mine with a Tri18 baby, she knew that she would not be taking the baby home, and she was able to prepare herself as much as possible. She was thankful that she knew.

There is no right or wrong when deciding whether or not genetic testing is the choice for you. Just remember that people do it for different reasons, and for many of them, termination isn't even one of them.

This. It would be easier for me, personally, if I was armed with the information before our LO is here, and I'd probably find it easier to adjust mentally and emotionally too. I would never terminate my pregnancy, but I think the testing is also there to help us plan. My exception would be the amnio due to the fact that I'm low risk as far as I know. I don't feel the need to do something so risky, personally, but I'll probably do the CVS test.

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