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metsgirlie
How did you get blue eyes?
Member since 11/05 3763 total posts
Name:
LC's Mommy
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AFP yay or nay?
I have 2 weeks to decide if I want to do this or not. Ladies any advice for me?
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Posted 4/3/07 11:21 AM  |
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2PreciousBlessings
The Perfect Pair
Member since 5/06 19861 total posts
Name:
Best Wife & Mommy
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Sorry to hijack your thread but I would like to know as well.
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| Posted 4/3/07 11:23 AM |
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gpsyeyes
She's my world!!!
Member since 8/06 1184 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
I don't see why not - it is just a blood test and it is a screening for spina bifida - why not know if there is a potential for a problem.
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| Posted 4/3/07 11:34 AM |
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metsgirlie
How did you get blue eyes?
Member since 11/05 3763 total posts
Name:
LC's Mommy
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by gpsyeyes
I don't see why not - it is just a blood test and it is a screening for spina bifida - why not know if there is a potential for a problem.
That's how my doc feels. I am just worried about the false postives.
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| Posted 4/3/07 11:38 AM |
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gpsyeyes
She's my world!!!
Member since 8/06 1184 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Read this - it may help.
AFP INFO
Message edited 4/3/2007 11:44:46 AM.
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| Posted 4/3/07 11:42 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by metsgirlie
Posted by gpsyeyes
I don't see why not - it is just a blood test and it is a screening for spina bifida - why not know if there is a potential for a problem.
That's how my doc feels. I am just worried about the false postives.
I did not do it. I am a very very big hypochondriac. I knew that if the test came back with something off it would drive me nuts for the remainder of my PG, and I knew the stress would not be good. I would not do anything differently with the test results anyway, so I decided against it. And the measurements at the Level II can also show any indication of a "problem."
The number of false positives was also not acceptable to me.
But this is a very personal decision and you have to do what is right for you & SO.
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| Posted 4/3/07 11:44 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
We opted out all all testing-Ultrascreen and AFP for both pg's because of the false postive rates and because under no circumstances would I get an amnio nor terminate a pg, so for us, we made the decision not too since we wouldn't follow up with any other testing if the tests came back off. My doc even admitted the tests are off and are just screening tools.
And the Level II looks for other things too. I have a very healthy DD and another healthy DD on the way. We have no genetic birth defects in our families and we are both 30 and under, we didn't feel it was necessary to worry for possibly nothing, especially since we wouldn't follow up with additional testing.
It's a informed personal decision though that only DH and you can make for yourselves.
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| Posted 4/3/07 12:22 PM |
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
My doctor never makes it sound like I have a choice but we are going to get it because as horrible I would feel to get a positive, false or not, I would not want to be un-prepared if the baby was born with a problem I could research a little first. Its really such a personal choice.
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| Posted 4/3/07 12:27 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by gpsyeyes
I don't see why not - it is just a blood test and it is a screening for spina bifida - why not know if there is a potential for a problem.
I will answer this question since I decided NOT to have the test done. I talked about this test extensively with my doctor and did research on it as well. Like the ultrascreen (which I did take), it is a screening test. According to my doctor, if you get a result that indicates something is wrong - the only way to confirm or deny that there is ACTUALLY a problem is with an amnio. They will do a sono as well but, anything a sono will pick up would be picked up at the level II. My dr. said that the only way to confirm or deny the actual absence or presence of a chromsomal abnormality is with the amnio. My dr. then said that in his experience - and he has been around a long time - the false positive rate is a good deal higher than that of the ultrascreen and in practice in his experience is closer to 20% - in other words many many times the AFP has indicated there "may" be a problem when there is not. So thus, you get a false positive and you go through the risks of an amnio and the worrying basically for nothing.
I knoow I would NOT want to have an amnio done so for me this was a no brainer since there could be only two outcomes of this test - everything is great or something "may" be wrong. Then you either worry for the next 6 months like crazy or get an amnio. Since I don't want to do either in a case where there is such a high chance of a "false positive" I opted out of the test and am very happy I did so.
Hope this helps
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| Posted 4/3/07 12:57 PM |
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gpsyeyes
She's my world!!!
Member since 8/06 1184 total posts
Name:
Karen
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
As with everything else I have read on these boards, you're best source of information is your own doctor. Each has their own opinions and are there for the best interests of you and your baby. If you doubt your doctor's advice or opinion, try another doctor. Between the internet and other people's opinions and/or "facts" from their doctors, the information is very misleading & sometimes completely wrong for the person looking for an answer.
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| Posted 4/3/07 1:00 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Message edited 4/3/2007 1:02:45 PM.
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| Posted 4/3/07 1:01 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by gpsyeyes
As with everything else I have read on these boards, you're best source of information is your own doctor. Each has their own opinions and are there for the best interests of you and your baby. If you doubt your doctor's advice or opinion, try another doctor. Between the internet and other people's opinions and/or "facts" from their doctors, the information is very misleading & sometimes completely wrong for the person looking for an answer.
I completely agree with this! I would make sure you get all the information about this test from your dr. and then make a decision based on how you would proceed. Good luck
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| Posted 4/3/07 1:03 PM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by gpsyeyes
As with everything else I have read on these boards, you're best source of information is your own doctor. Each has their own opinions and are there for the best interests of you and your baby. If you doubt your doctor's advice or opinion, try another doctor. Between the internet and other people's opinions and/or "facts" from their doctors, the information is very misleading & sometimes completely wrong for the person looking for an answer.
I completely agree with this! I would make sure you get all the information about this test from your dr. and then make a decision based on how you would proceed. Good luck
Which is exactly what why most us and I know I do, always say, It's an informed personal decision to decide with your DH.
I know i would NEVER go by someone else's opinion to make a decision on something that affects my family and neither should anyone else.
Good luck, it's one of the very many decisions you will have to make for yourself and your child and not all of them will be easy.
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| Posted 4/3/07 1:08 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by sweetness
Which is exactly what why most us and I know I do, always say, It's an informed personal decision to decide with your DH.
I know i would NEVER go by someone else's opinion to make a decision on something that affects my family and neither should anyone else.
Good luck, it's one of the very many decisions you will have to make for yourself and your child and not all of them will be easy.
I totally agree! This is up to you and DH to make those decisions. You will have to make a lot of choices during your pregnancy.... tests to do, vaginal vs c-section, natural vs. epidural, breastfeeding or not, etc..
Read and ask as much questions as possible. When it comes down to deciding.... It's up to you!!!
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| Posted 4/3/07 1:15 PM |
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
I'm doing it in a few weeks.
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| Posted 4/3/07 1:24 PM |
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metsgirlie
How did you get blue eyes?
Member since 11/05 3763 total posts
Name:
LC's Mommy
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie
My doctor never makes it sound like I have a choice but we are going to get it because as horrible I would feel to get a positive, false or not, I would not want to be un-prepared if the baby was born with a problem I could research a little first. Its really such a personal choice.
My doc is the same way.
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| Posted 4/3/07 2:17 PM |
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curley999
Family!
Member since 5/05 2314 total posts
Name:
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
I choose to have the test with both my pregancies and the results were normal. I would not have had an amnio or terminated however I wanted to be as aware as I could of any potential problems to prepare for after the birth
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| Posted 4/3/07 2:21 PM |
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KateDevine
*
Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by metsgirlie
Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie
My doctor never makes it sound like I have a choice but we are going to get it because as horrible I would feel to get a positive, false or not, I would not want to be un-prepared if the baby was born with a problem I could research a little first. Its really such a personal choice.
My doc is the same way.
My doctor is the same way, so I just went and had it done. Even though you can opt out of it, it is now recommended that everyone get tested.
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| Posted 4/3/07 2:32 PM |
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hbugal
Lesigh
Member since 2/07 15928 total posts
Name:
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
I did it b/c is non invasive..doesnt really matter any way....
High levels indicate a neural tube defect and low levels indicate a chromosonal anomlie...Out of all AFPs about 30% come back abnormal and out of that 30% only about 1% is there actually an issue...
Should the test indicate a problem I WOULD have any amnio farther along in the pregnancy (when the baby could survive should it cause preterm labor/miscarriage)..Not to terminate the pregnancy but b/c should the baby have problems it would dictate where I would be give birth and who would be available upon delivery...
For Example: Children Born with Down Syndrome are at great risk for heart defects (most of these cannot be detected on a fetal echo) and there should really be pediatric cardiologist around when the baby is born..
All that said and done My eldest daughter has Mosaic Down Syndrome and my AFP test with her came back completely normal..and I was only 21 at the time
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| Posted 4/3/07 5:59 PM |
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Lillykat
going along for the ride...
Member since 5/05 16253 total posts
Name:
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Yes - b.c it is non invasive and there is a problem it gives you time to decide how much additional testing you wish for. If there is a problem you can be fully educated on the condition so you can get your baby the best care out there for their condition.
Additionally - there are many conditions that might require immediate intervention by a pediatric doctor with a certain specialty (such as surgery, cardiology etc) if you are unaware of the condition you will just get any old resident or doctor to help your baby - if there is an issue you can have whatever care you chose to have lined up so your baby is well taken care of at birth.
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| Posted 4/3/07 6:58 PM |
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FeliciaDP
♥
Member since 5/05 18599 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: AFP yay or nay?
Posted by metsgirlie
Posted by MrsDiamondgrlie
My doctor never makes it sound like I have a choice but we are going to get it because as horrible I would feel to get a positive, false or not, I would not want to be un-prepared if the baby was born with a problem I could research a little first. Its really such a personal choice.
My doc is the same way.
Carmen since I had the same docs you do, I agree that it wasnt really like I was given a 'choice'.. it was more like "next week you will have the AFP, blah blah" and I too was a little taken aback.. I remember even saying "isn't this optional" and the nurse told me that 99.9% of their patients had it done, so she just assumed I would too 
But as Diane said, after thinking it over (and given that I am older and wanted to avoid a amnio at all costs) I just wanted to do all the screenings I coul... mostly to prepare myself for whatever might occur.
Good Luck!
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| Posted 4/3/07 8:47 PM |
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