Round and round. I think my scholarly tendencies to study everything to death are doing me a disservice at this point.
Wednesday’s appointment is supposed to get us some good profile pictures of the critter because they’re going to do the Nuchal Fold screening test. Presumably they’ll also do some bloodwork at the same time that has some chromosomal screening stuff in there too. The bloodwork screening stuff is done during late 1st trimester and early 2nd trimester.
Depending on what these tests say, we’ll be presented with other testing/screening options. First would be CVS (chorionic villus sampling) which is akin to amniocentesis, but is slightly less invasive and can be done sooner than an amnio. CVS & amniocentesis screen for chromosomal abnormalities like Downs Syndrome and other genetic conditions. Amniocentesis can also screen for neural tube defects like spina bifida as well. Both have the bonus of telling the sex of the baby with 100% accuracy.
There’s a decent chance I’ll need an amnio later in the pregnancy anyway, depending on when Dr. Schwartz determines the baby needs to come. Amniocentesis is commonly used late in pregnancy to determine how far along lung development is. (How they tell that from amniotic fluid is beyond me.)
But I just can’t stop thinking about these tests. Do we even want them? What about the slight elevation in risk of miscarriage? What would we do with the results? Does it make me a terrible person to even be wanting this screening done? A lot of women choose not to have these tests done at all because the results wouldn’t matter to them either way. What does that say about me that the results *would* matter? And lastly, what if – God forbid – the results came back in a not-good way? What would having to make that decision to to Paul and I?
Round and round. This is part of the training to become a parent, right?
It does not seem weird to have these tests. You really need to make a decision if it is needed. Try not to worry, you are going to have a wonderful healthy baby. If the tests will help the doctors to help your baby, then do it. Anyway, just know whatever happens, I know you and paul will do whatever is best for you. Take care…
Luv Ya!!
I got the fold test done and was told Ryan was a boy and the doctor swore on it. I was given a 1 in 90 chance that Ryan would have Downs. I was 35yo when Ryan was born and turned down the amnio. I didn’t get the CVS done either. I didn’t get the amnio because of the miscarriage rates.
Do what you feel is best!
You guys have to do what you feel is best. HOWEVER, my OB/GYN had me get oodles of blood work done because our babies are so huge (9 lb 10 oz, 10 lb 11 oz, and 10 lb), so they were positive I was a diabetic, but I never was. Anyway, one blood test my OB did came back as an “abnormality” in the baby. Now, what did we do with that information? Nothing because we knew that we would love this miracle no matter what. Come to find out, Olivia’s “abnormality” was just a few extra fingers and toes on each hand and foot just like her Mom. :)
Sarah, you have do do what feels right in your heart. You also need to decide what you will do with the results that the tests provide. If the answer is nothing, then why go through the stress and the chance of miscarriage? Also keep in mind th rate of false positives results that can happen.
We never had any of those tests done (I had lots of prenatal diabetes tests but that’s it). We pretty much decided that we could handle any kind of abnormalities God wanted to throw at us (my little brother has downs syndrome, my oldest brother has mild cerebral palsy and high functioning autism, etc, etc). Seriously, my little brother is my only sibling that I’ve never wanted to kill at any point in time. We also decided that we’d prefer the risk of “abnormalities” over the risk of miscarriage. That’s where we were at. We know whatever decision you make will be the right one because you don’t take any of this lightly and you want to do what’s best for you, Paul and future child.
#1.) You are NOT a bad person for thinking about these things.
#2.) We got the quad screen and that was it. Based on our doctors’ assessment that, based on those tests, the chance of those other major problems was low, we felt safe skipping them.
#3.) As far as gender, most of the time it is pretty clear at the anatomy ultrasound. Simply put, boys are OBVIOUS.