[mkksmom]

I declined the NT scan and the quad screening, so my doc put "no genetic testing" on my chart. Well, I had to go in for my initial blood work yesterday because I switched from the RE (fertility doc) to the OB. My doc does not push for these tests at all. She's very low-intervention for an OB.

I got a call this morning from the OB's office that the phlebotomist (sp?) drew a tube of blood for the quad screen, but they noticed on my chart that it said "no genetic testing" so she wanted to check with me. Since it was already drawn would I prefer they run the test or just discard the blood? I chose not to have them run the test. For a second, I was thinking that hearing that the test came back indicating a healthy baby might be nice. But I would refuse an amnio, and this is one of the things that doesn't make me worry. I know someone who worried through the second half of her pregnancy after the quad screen only to have a healthy baby.

That was the right call in this situation, right? One less thing to worry about. Why am I second-guessing?

 

[OTMomma]

Pregnancy is full of second guessing- I think you did the right thing. I do choose to do the mid-preg. u/s and I figure if there were anything I really really wanted to know in advance, it would be seen on that- so I turn down all the other testing too.

 

[mamamia10]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkksmom That was the right call in this situation, right? One less thing to worry about. Why am I second-guessing?

ditto on the second guessing...
follow your heart
just remember you are more likely to have a healthy baby than not...they don't tell you that though
BTW I refused all the screenings and opted for the BIG (level2) US, and I am over 35--I just did not want to add another thing to my "worry list" as there was enough things on it already

hugs

 

[mkksmom]

Thanks. I guess even just considering the test made me think about the "what if's" for a second. I was perfectly happy not even thinking about it. I will go for the big u/s in a couple of weeks, and I am trying my hardest to just focus on the gender and assume that all is well with the baby.

I had an u/s every 10 days in the first trimester because of multiple losses, and as nice as it was to get a peek, it just stressed me out more than anything.

 

[2boyzmama]

Right there with ya!

I have a special needs child, so my risk factors are different, yet I declined all testing except the 20 week u/s. I refused testing because I will not consent to an amnio and I will not terminate, but at the same time I am very nervous about finding soft markers on the u/s.

It's no longer an abstract thought to me, I've lived through the pain, heartbreaks, fear, doubt, and the terrible "what if's" of having a child with a serious genetic issue. I don't want to do it again!!!! But I will...and I will love the child. I just fear what it would do my marriage, my older children, our finances, my sanity!!!

Anyway...the right decision for us is still to not test. But I had an unexpected u/s at 12 weeks because they could not find a heartbeat and I had to stop the tech from doing the NT scan. I did have a fleeting thought of letting her do it, but in the end said no. I don't regret that.

 

[mkksmom]

I kind of lucked out with the NT scan. I was scheduled to have an u/s and had no idea that she would be doing more measurements. Well, I have gotten to know the tech pretty well. I had ultrasounds when I had to take tamoxifen to help me produce healthy eggs. We did that for 3 cycles. Plus I had 2 or 3 natural monitoring cycles because my doctor tried getting a minor insulin issue that causes egg issues under control with diet and losing 8 extra pounds. My RE will not just treat with drugs. You have to see the dietitian and get your eating under control first be educated on the issue so you never get to the point of being diabetic. Love that about him.

So, I had a feeling that even with the insulin under control, I still wasn't ovulating properly. I was right too. So, with each cycle, they did 3 or 4 u/s's. I really got to know the tech, and she helped me decide *against* the NT scan. So when she did my last u/s she jotted in the notes and they told me that the thickness of the neck looked good. I could also see the nose bone that they look for, so I only skipped the blood test, and got to find out that the other things looked good without the stress of knowing that she took a peek for me. They also looked to see that the spine was good and some other things that I can't remember. I'm glad I know that everything looks good. I don't know why I was stressing this morning.

 

[lilysmama1124]

I refused the quad as well. I had for my dd but was very anxious during that pg and didn't realize how many false positives there were. My cousin had a positive afp and they delivered her a week early telling her that there was an increased risk of complications in the last week with a positive afp. Of course her dd was fine and it was just a false positive. I figure we can handle whatever comes our way at the time. I am going to have an ultrasound because I am measuring big and twins run in the family and since I am delivering at home would like to find that out before hand!