What tests are you having done?

[Mer]

I have perinatolgists who handled my last pg when it started to go so badly and he is supposed to rule out another molar pg and then I was supposed to be going back to my midwife provided everything was normal. I was discussing with him the u/s I'm supposed to have at about 10 weeks to rule out the mp and he starts talking about setting up a time to do the nuchal translucency test (sp?) and the AFP test. I kinda was thinking I didn't care to have these done since I didn't want amnio or CVS and it was my impression that these tests are used as a screening for amnio or CVS. From what I understand they have a pretty high false positive rate and don't tell you specifically what is wrong so they don't seem to useful to me on thier own. If one or both of these test came up postive is there any way they can more specifically determine what is wrong through u/s alone? Even if they could tell me what was wrong what would be the value of knowing before the birth other than for me to be prepared/educated on how to care for a child with a disability? Would it be helpful to know so they could treat the pg differently? Would it be helpful to know so they could treat the baby differently at the birth? Any thoughts, knowledge, opinions or expericences would be helpful. Thanks.

[OnTheFence]

My sister works in genetics and she would like me to do all the prescreening tests for birth defects. The AFP test I "might" do. It seems that over the past few years it can detect downs 70-80% of the town and around 60% of neural tube defects. The other test you mentioned does not detect neural tube defects at all, and finds about 70% of the time downs. I am not sure if 30% margin of error is worth my worry. However, this being our fourth child, I don't want any surprised in the delivery room. I have three other children to think about it.
The thing is, I just dont want what ifs. I will be having a level 2 ultrasound, and I really think that should be good enough. I may talk with my doctor more about this at my next appointment.

[MamanFrancaise]

I won't be having any tests done. I may not even have an ultrasound. I guess, for me personally, I don't feel it's necessary since I can't do much about anything now.

[orangebird]

Probably just an ultrasound unless there is cause for concern about something else. I just want the ultrasound to assure myself there isn't any major spina bifida or gross malformation that is going to render a homebirth delivery dangerous for the baby. Just for my own peace of mind. I see too many of those babies at work to not at least peek. Even though the ultrasound isn't always right on, I am hoping they would see some huge thing if there is one.

[Hey Mama!]

Only ultrasound. I've refused the AFP test both times, and will refuse the gd test because I passed it with flying colors with my other pregnancies.

[BinahYeteirah]

bs"d

I plan to opt out of all these tests. I don't plan to have an ultrasound, either.

[leosmama20]

I won't be doing any of the tests either. I guess because they aren't conclusive and what would I do anyhow other than worry?

I will have an u/s but won't find out the sex.

I had a peri halfway through with my first pg, and I think peri's just run every test in the book because it is part of their nature

Emily

[Mer]

Thanks for your responses. I still haven't decided. DH wants to go ahead because he thinks if they come out negative they'll give him some piece of mind. I still have a lot of questions for my midwife next week.