Scared, sorry long, some questions.

Hi ladies,

I dont write much, usually read alot though to get some answers. But i actually have a question this time, My OB called and said my Quad results were abnormal, for one What is the Quad test, dont remember exactly what that is, and i was so freaked when she called i never asked. Second, she said that i had an abnormal result for heart defects in the baby, She then said that i have a 90% chance the baby will be fine, But she wants to be sure everything is ok so without asking us first, she scheduled me for genetic counseling with my DH on the 29th and an amnio on the 30th in the antepartum testing unit at NYHQ. When i told her i didnt want to, she said Dr. Skupski is a high risk Doctor and only does amnios and that i have nothing to worry about. While i was on the phone i was very upset, started crying and let Dh take over the call. I really dont want to do the amnio, so i called the Hospital and talked to someone in the antepartum unit and told her that i didnt want to do the test and that i wouldnt terminate anyway, so with that i wasnt going to keep that appointment, she said i can do what i want but she talked me into at least having the counseling before i make a decision and said she would keep my amnio appt open, and if i still dont want to do it after the counseling that will be fine, so i said ok, has anyone had the counseling? And are they going to just try to push the amnio on me, i dont want to feel pressured i pretty much have my mind made up 100% , im scared that theres even a chance of miscarriage with the amnio ( not to mention that i am TERRIFIED of that needle). Would anyone have it with only a 10% risk of the defect? And if anyone refused did your OB treat you any different for not doing what they wanted. Sorry so long. Thanks Ladies

ETA: My SIL said they cant really tell most heart defects with an amnio, if thats true then what the hell is wrong with my OB?

Message edited 11/18/2005 9:29:11 PM.

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

no advice just wanted to send you some HUGS!!!

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

Well, first and foremost

When I was pregnant my OB called with the results of my Integrated test (Quad screen) and I was told my baby had a 1 in 5 chance of having Down's Syndrome when the normal results would be something like 1 in 500. Anyway, needless to say, I broke down crying on the phone as well. After some discussion with my DH I decided to have the amnio even though I knew I would not terminate no matter the results. Long story short, I had to wait a week (cried every day), got to the amnio appt. and then found out the results were due to a freakin' typo.

Anyhow, I thought the Quad Screen tested for Down's and Trisomy; maybe the heart issue was detected during the ultrasound??

I would definitely go to the counseling. Ask if another ultrasound is possible to check for abnormal markers. If that happens to me the next time, I will do that before choosing to do the amnio first.

Your doctor should not force the amnio on you; it is YOUR choice--remember that!

Best of luck to you and you'll be in my prayers.

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

I would keep the counseling appointment before you make any decisions.

You have a little time before then to clear your head, so try and make a list of every possible question you may have so you don't get overwhelmed in the office and forget to ask.

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

Posted by Eireann

Well, first and foremost

When I was pregnant my OB called with the results of my Integrated test (Quad screen) and I was told my baby had a 1 in 5 chance of having Down's Syndrome when the normal results would be something like 1 in 500. Anyway, needless to say, I broke down crying on the phone as well. After some discussion with my DH I decided to have the amnio even though I knew I would not terminate no matter the results. Long story short, I had to wait a week (cried every day), got to the amnio appt. and then found out the results were due to a freakin' typo.

Anyhow, I thought the Quad Screen tested for Down's and Trisomy; maybe the heart issue was detected during the ultrasound??

I would definitely go to the counseling. Ask if another ultrasound is possible to check for abnormal markers. If that happens to me the next time, I will do that before choosing to do the amnio first.

Your doctor should not force the amnio on you; it is YOUR choice--remember that!

Best of luck to you and you'll be in my prayers.

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

It's totally your choice!! I would definately go to the counceling though just to hear them out. At least then you may get a few more answers to help in your decision process. to you and hope all is well!!!

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

So sorry you have to go thru this. Doctors today can make you so crazy, that your head will spin off your shoulders! I personally would do the counseling and have the amnio. But that is just me. You have to do what you feel is best for you and your baby. Good luck and i will be praying for you that all of this is just another "typo" as someone had said before!

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

I'm so sorry you are going through this. To give you a little piece of mind, I will share my story of when I was pregnant with my daughter: They had told me that the level two sonogram had come back with an abnormal something with the heart and were pushing me for an amnio and I had to see a high risk dr for the rest of that pregnancy. I had to see a special cardiologist to do a sono on my belly to check out the baby's heart. I had to wait days to see the specialist and in the meantime, I spent the weekend in tears fearing something was wrong. Long story, short: I declined the amnio and they kept pushing me for it but I refused and they made me sign something stating I was refusing the test. Me and DH feel like you, we will love the baby no matter what, so why risk an amnio. The amnio only tells you 10% of things that could be wrong from what I read and there is a small risk of problems from having one. Anyway, my daughter is fine. I believe one of the chambers of the heart wasn't closed all the way or something but that is normal and it eventually closed. But I can't even tell you all the worry they put me and DH through.
Also, I know 2 other couples who had the crap scared out of them that major things were wrong with their babies and they are completely healthy children. I think the drs are overly careful these days and just want to cover their buts and make sure they run all tests necessary if they have the slightest uncertainty.
Don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't want to do. You do what you want to do. What is right for one person, isn't necessarily right for another.
I hope this makes you feel a little better and gives you some peace of mind that your baby is healthy and fine.
Good luck.

Re: Scared, sorry long, some questions.

Posted by NovemberSue

I'm so sorry you are going through this. To give you a little piece of mind, I will share my story of when I was pregnant with my daughter: They had told me that the level two sonogram had come back with an abnormal something with the heart and were pushing me for an amnio and I had to see a high risk dr for the rest of that pregnancy. I had to see a special cardiologist to do a sono on my belly to check out the baby's heart. I had to wait days to see the specialist and in the meantime, I spent the weekend in tears fearing something was wrong. Long story, short: I declined the amnio and they kept pushing me for it but I refused and they made me sign something stating I was refusing the test. Me and DH feel like you, we will love the baby no matter what, so why risk an amnio. The amnio only tells you 10% of things that could be wrong from what I read and there is a small risk of problems from having one. Anyway, my daughter is fine. I believe one of the chambers of the heart wasn't closed all the way or something but that is normal and it eventually closed. But I can't even tell you all the worry they put me and DH through.
Also, I know 2 other couples who had the crap scared out of them that major things were wrong with their babies and they are completely healthy children. I think the drs are overly careful these days and just want to cover their buts and make sure they run all tests necessary if they have the slightest uncertainty.
Don't let anyone pressure you into anything you don't want to do. You do what you want to do. What is right for one person, isn't necessarily right for another.
I hope this makes you feel a little better and gives you some peace of mind that your baby is healthy and fine.
Good luck.