Early Screen- anybody else feel this way?

[crysandjeff]

Is anybody having the early screen done? I had it scheduled for Wednesday and I think I am going to cancel it. I have read about way too many people who have had it done and got positive results and their babies had no problems.  It sounded like many of the people who had had it ended up having CVS or amnio done. I had agreed to the early screen since it was non-invasive but if it is going to lead to undue stress and then an invasive test I think I will skip it.  While it would be nice to know ahead of time if my baby had down syndrome the 20ish week ultrasound would show soft markers if down syndrome was present. Maybe I'm just freaking out. How do you all feel about the early screen?

[crysandjeff]

My girls are 9 and 5 (almost 6). I have been so much calmer since I canceled that appointment. I guess it could be a good test for some women but because it has so many false positives and I recently had a miscarriage it is not for me. I have worried about every single everything with this baby and having the test would just be asking for trouble for me. Best of Luck to all who decide to have it.

[connorethansmom]

I think the way you are looking at it is great.  You know a lot of women get false positives (I personally know 2, that now have healthy kids), so it's a good test, but not the end all.  I will be having it done, I've only ever had the blood test and not the ultrasound, I guess my results were so low, that they didn't warrent the next step.  I think I would rather gather the information and prepare then, not.  I have two other kids too, so having to think about how to prepare them if something isn't "normal" would be on my mind.  How old are your girls?

[crysandjeff]

I guess that was one of the reasons I wanted it too. I lost a baby at 8 weeks and have been a nervous nut about this baby. I have had a few ultrasounds and all has been good but I am telling my daughters this weekend and wanted one last confirmation before doing so. I figured that it wouldn't hurt to do it but then I was reading other peoples experiences and I got freaked out. I would never consider abortion but my husband had mentioned that we would have to at least consider it if the baby was not well. I guess in part once he said that I decided that there was no way that I was having it. I can not imagine if it came up positive and then I had an amnio and ended up losing a perfectly healthy baby. It is canceled now and I am hoping I can settle down a bit, as I have been all worked up about this all weekend.

[trying_x_3]

I only got it so I could see the baby, I've had two miscarriages and just wanted that extra ultrasound to reasure myself! After 2 miscarriages though, no matter what the results I AM having this baby!!! I will not be doing any other tests unless the OB requests more!!! It's you decision though, you should do what you're comfy with.

[kele1129]

We did not do the screen for our son and will not be doing it for this one either. I am 34 and my husband is 35. We are both comfortable with that decision though and discussed it at length with our son and this time around as well. We received no testing other than what is required by the state, during and after pregnancy. Having gone through 2 full cycles of IVF for the first pregnancy, I was very done with people messing around with me, and just wanted to be a natural as possible afterwards. But it is a personal decision and also one should take family history into account as well.

[beautifulgirls]

I think it is important because it is not only checking for Down's but for other issues that maybe present.  I understand how you feel and how scary it is.  Maybe think of the bright side of it and how you will get to see your baby and maybe even see if its a boy or girl.  Try and find the positive in it. Good luck :)

[happynifer]

i'm definitely doing the quad screen and nuchal fold tests.
i am 35 and dh is 50 so we have age risks.
if they are positive, we will decide whether or not to go on to the more invasive followup tests, but if they are negative, we can just relax.