Anyone have any thoughts or experiences with this first trimester screening test that they could share with me? I have to decide by the end of this week if I am interested in it, and I have mixed feelings. Here is the description.
While I wouldn't want an amniocentesis, since the procedure brings an increased risk of miscarriage (which I'm already concerned enough about!), and I wouldn't want to terminate if I found out I was having a baby with special needs, I am a bit of an information junkie, and would like to be forewarned as to give me time to prepare and research, etc. The test is not at all risky: In fact, it's just another look at baby! It would put me at four ultrasounds for my first trimester! SWEET.
The only thing that really concerns me and puts me off is the high rate of false positives. While expecting a special needs newborn and delivering a healthy one is a better surprise than the other way around, I am already experiencing ever-increasing levels of stress about this whole ordeal! Also, I'm not in a high-risk group, seeing as how I was 24 at the time of conception, and most mothers that opt to do screenings are in the 35+ group.
Thoughts? Opinions? Bad or good experiences with this test? ALL opinions/insight welcome! I have to decide within the next three days :/
It's me T!
ReplyDeleteI did have the test done...it's a blood test plus a few ultrasounds. There is a high rate of false positives. I had the test anyway, even though, like you, I wouldn't have aborted no matter what I found. Mine came back negative, and I'm pretty sure Down's does not run in our family, if it makes you feel any better.
Really, it may save you some worry to not have the test. If the blood test comes back positive, they'll suggest to you an amino...if you're absolutely against getting one of those because of the risk, it may not be worth getting a false positive and worrying about it in the first place.
It's a personal decision. I had the test done because I wanted to be prepared if we did have a Down's kid, and because my brother's son is slow...not Down's, but slow...and because autism runs in J's side of the family...his older brother has a severe case, though he can function at the level of a 14 year old.
I know this probably doesn't help your decision making, but I thought it'd help to hear from soneone who's been there. :) *hugs*