[SharonAnne]

I went into this pregnancy wanting to keep things as natural and test free as possible. I'm having one U/S at around 20 weeks, just to be sure all is well, since I'm having a home birth.<br><br>
I declined the AFP. My thinking on that, was, well, if something IS wrong, I'm not going to GET RID of the baby or anything, anyway. So, why bother? But now I'm not so sure that it was the best decision.<br><br>
The AFP is the big one that's concerning me, but I'm also wondering if I shouldn't go ahead and have an earlier u/s and stuff like that.<br><br>
I hate second guessing myself, especially when I was SO SURE of what I wanted in the first place.<br><br>
Are you guys declining "routine" prenatal testing? If so, which ones, and why are you not getting the tests you've declined? Why are you getting the ones you are?

 

[twouglyducks]

I'm doing u/s (every OB visit until I stop going, hopefully after the 29th if I find out what I'm having :LOL) I'm not doing AFP b/c it seems silly to get/worry about a test with such high false results. I don't think I'm going to do the glucose test either. If I'm feeling okay and there is no sugar in my urine, then I won't worry about it.<br><br>
It is totally normal to think that everything you're doing is wrong. At least IME. If you know what you want(ed) I say stick to that. There is no new reason to have the test done, other than your worries, and you'll worry about something new every week for the rest of your life now that you're a mom-to-be. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">

 

[fuzzypeach]

I've already declined to AFP test, again because of the high false results... the baby doesn't have any known risks for anything, so I'm not worried about it. I am ok with ultrasounds, I had one at around twelve weeks and will have the big screening, gender-finding ultrasound in late Jan. I am now considering seeing if I can refuse the gestational diabetes test unless there's something that indicates I might have it, because it doesn't seem necessary and definately doesn't sound fun.<br><br>
Are there any others? I think that's all they mentioned to me in the hospital.

 

[punkprincessmama]

I've declined every test, allready signed the forms. The only one I am doing is the urine test with each visit, the one my midwife uses checks tons of stuff. I feel very confident that my body knows what to do and I also believe that these tests all have a high false positive rate. I guess my reasoning is why worry? Why not have a positive outlook? Why not enjoy the pregnancy fully, and deal with whatever MAY happen IF it does after the birth, when you can know for sure what you are dealing with? We are not doing any ultra sounds either. (unless a true medical concern arises) My midwife is very comfortable with our decisions, as we are as well.<br><br>
Besides the AFP and Gestational diabetes, there is also a test for Group B Strep, and I think one or two others, i know the form i signed consenting and declining the various tests seemed awfully long...

 

[~Nikki~]

I declined the optional test (triple screen test, I think it's called here) along with the 14 week u/s. Last time, they went ahead and did it without asking me, which - although I didn't know it at the time - was very wrong of them to do. I'm with a different doctor now, and she was shocked to find out that they did the tests without my permission. It didn't really matter, as there was nothing wrong...but still. They took a LOT of blood from me, and I was too naive to ask what it was all for. I know a lot more now. <br><br>
The only test I'm getting done is the u/s at 20 weeks, so that we'll know that everything is ok physically.

 

[~Quse~]

I haven't done anything yet, just seen my lay mid-wife once. I'm considering having one ultrasound but not sure yet.

 

[Pepper]

I've declined everything except the 20 week u/s. I'm considering the GBS test but only because I'm having a hospital birth and I <i>think</i> that if I decline it they would assume I have it and want me to have an IV during labor???<br><br>
Anyone know about this?<br><br>
Of course, I could decline that as well, but I'd like to know what I'm up against here--perhaps I should ask at my next visit.<br><br>
Also, I have some research to do regarding the glucose test--I am just really against drinking a whole can of artificial, crap-filled, cola just to rule out diabetes. I eat healthy and haven't had it ever before. Gotta get to researching that one.<br><br>
I envy the homebirthers declining these tests because the medical establishment can make it difficult for those of us who refuse certain tests. Sigh.

 

[aja-belly]

yeh, i'm not getting any of those done really. i am doing the urine strip test, and keeping tabs of blood pressure and weight, and i will be getting the 20 wk us (so soon!).<br><br>
i don't think my midwife doesn anything else regularly. i am thinking about seeing a dr for concurrent care if i find a good one, and he might want some tests done for his peace of mind (or to cover his ass) but i don't know.<br><br>
aja

 

[Meli65]

We are getting a 20-week u/s, and you might be interested to know that the Cleveland Clinic's standard of care is to do just that and if things seem weird there, then to go ahead with the AFP and/or amnio. They're very mainstream so I thought that was interesting. Just three years ago in NJ they were very pro CVS and amnio. I don't have any risk factors besides "advanced maternal age" <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"><br><br>
I wasn't sure about that, either, but my midwife pointed out that I'll either find out that the baby is fine (most likely) or, if not, I can make the decision to have the baby in the hospital instead of home. I'm with you -- I couldn't abort at that point (or any, really, I think, but that is a whole 'nother discussion).<br><br>
I did cave and have one u/s and one Doppler already <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/bag.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="Bag">: although I wasn't planning to. And after I heard the baby's heartbeat, I became consumed with wanting to know the sex, something I'd never considered before! Never say never I guess.

 

[NiksMom]

I've already had 2 ultrasounds (because of previous complications & for reassurance) and will have at least one more at 20 weeks. I said no to the triple screen test. I will be getting the GD testing done, but earlier than 28 weeks (the standard time) because of having it with my last pregnancy.

 

[SharonAnne]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">I am just really against drinking a whole can of artificial, crap-filled, cola just to rule out diabetes</td>
</tr></table></div>
My best friend's midwife sent her out for a big fat syrupy breakfast, instead of drinking that crap. Mmmm pancakes sound much better to me. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol">

 

[ramlita]

I do the pee sticks, blood pressure, and sometimes allow the Doppler a little.<br>
My midwife doesn't have a scale in her office, so I weigh myself during my weekly visit at the in-laws.<br>
Everything else was very easy for me to leave behind (okay, some of them warranted more research for the decision than others...)<br><br>
I was definitely already inclined this way, but then reading The Tentative Pregnancy by Barbara Katz Rothman had a big effect on me, as well.

 

[SharonAnne]

Just wanted to thank y'all. I feel better about my decisions again. :LOL I hate second guessing myself, but I guess it's going to become part of the territory now, huh? <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[Karennnnn]

I think it's really easy to decide what you'd like to do, but then when you're actually presented with the options it makes it so much harder.<br>
I also don't see the point of the triple screen. The false positive rate is ridiculous and the lab prints out something for the ob to report back to them with after the baby is born that asks basically if the results were correct. For instance, if it gave you a high risk for downs, you're supposed to let them know if the baby was born with downs or not. As if ob's do this!!!<br>
And along with false positives, if you know you won't abort why even go there.<br>
Of course, it might be nice to KNOW, but again high false positives may make a lot of unnecessary worry.<br>
On a baby story once (I know... <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/img/vbsmilies/smilies/eyesroll.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="roll"> ) this woman had a false positive triple screen. The woman went through a self described hell with worry, crying, the whole bit (for weeks mind yoU) and then put herself and her baby at risk with an amnio that it turned out she didn't need because of course everything was fine.<br>
Then she went in for an induction I think... After what seemed like 5 minutes in the hospital, the doctor decided the baby was too big and said that they had to do a c-section. I believe (now this could be my imagination) that she ended up having to be knocked out completely. It really made me cry!!!! Not that the triple screen had anything to do with that, but this is what mainstream stuff often leads to. No one believes me but you guys lol! So I'm a big believer in the domino effect and also just avoiding things completely where I don't even have to be in the situation to make a decision about testing.<br>
I'm going to have an u/s somewhere between 16 and 20 weeks to rule out problems that would make it a bad idea to do a home birth, but I think that's it. Unless I start feeling strangely or something weird happens, I may or may not have blood work. I just don't see the point.<br>
Anyhoo that's my take!!<br>
Karen

 

[Mama Lori]

I am having a homebirth and also seen an OB at Kaiser for prenatal. I have declined all ultrasounds except the 20 week one, which I see there are good reasons to do (like you).<br><br>
My OB also urged me to do the AFP because it CAN give valuable information that in very rare circumstances would mean homebirth is not an option, and I would want to know that ahead of time. For example, if the AFP showed positive for an open spine, the ultrasound could then confirm or deny that, and if it confirmed, then we would know a c-section will be needed and homebirth is out.<br><br>
Also my OB said that 16 weeks is the most accurate time to get the AFP done - if you get it at 16 weeks, there is the lowest chance of error in the test. I figured that it's just a blood test so it's non-invasive, and it has the potential to provide valuable information (even if very unlikely), so it was an easy "yes" for me.<br><br>
I have a friend who tested positive on the AFP and then ended up having a completely normal baby, and I know this is very common. So I know not to be freaked out if I test positive.