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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Hi ladies! I was caught a little off guard at my first appt when my dr. told me about all these tests and didn't know the right questinos to ask. As they are all optional its hard to know what to do.
Since this is the test that has to be done first I am asking about this now. My dr. mentioned that there is an incidence of "false positives" with this test - does anyone have the statistics on the test like how often they tell you something is wrong and it really isn't? Because from what he said, if something is wrong, next step is amnio and i am not sure i am up for that.
Also, would love to hear from those of you that HAVE and HAVE NOT gotten the test or are planning one way or the other as to your reasons...TIA  This is making me nervous!
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Posted 1/30/07 11:25 AM  |
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trnity44
I hope you stay beautiful baby
Member since 5/05 8356 total posts
Name:
Liz
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Our doctor talked to us about the ultrascreen at our last appointment. We are unsure if we are going to have it done. We are not sure if we would change anything. If the results came back positive and the next step was to do an amnio- I wouldnt have that done. So- we go back and forth and arent really sure what we are going to do.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:29 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by trnity44
Our doctor talked to us about the ultrascreen at our last appointment. We are unsure if we are going to have it done. We are not sure if we would change anything. If the results came back positive and the next step was to do an amnio- I wouldnt have that done. So- we go back and forth and arent really sure what we are going to do.
This is us exactly. But I am really torn - on the one hand I would love confirmation that everything is fine (as I am praying it is) but on the other hand, it is like you said.
Its also in my nature to be very on top of things with my health and to get every test etc so NOT doing something that is available is so hard....but, at the same time, it is like you said...
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:32 AM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Honestly I thought doctors just did this test nowadays. No one ever gave me the option to not have it done and I am 26 and healthy with no family history of anything.
Personally, working in the med mal field, I would do every test offered to me. And I sometimes feel doctors like to give every test to cover the bases.
Ultimately, it is your decision to make.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:33 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by KateDevine
Honestly I thought doctors just did this test nowadays. No one ever gave me the option to not have it done and I am 26 and healthy with no family history of anything.
Personally, working in the med mal field, I would do every test offered to me. And I sometimes feel doctors like to give every test to cover the bases.
Ultimately, it is your decision to make.
See, this worries me because my dr. was VERY clear that this test was not required that it was completely optional and I am older than you! I am under 30 though and as you, healthy with no family history of anything.
The other thing is that there are not too many people that seem to know about this test - apparently it is VERY new and has only been available for a few years which is another thing that worries me...
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:35 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I thought it was pretty standard too. It was great to see the baby jumping around, and it made it so much more real for us. My test results were great so we were very happy to have had it done. I think it is more likely to get questionable results from the AFP -- I know my lab gave me "abnormal" results just because of my age - but the ultrascreen is so much more detailed and knocked the AFP out of the equation.
I wasn't going to do an amnio no matter what, so to me the ultrascreen was just an inital way to see that everything was going well.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:38 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by itsbabytime
See, this worries me because my dr. was VERY clear that this test was not required that it was completely optional and I am older than you! I am under 30 though and as you, healthy with no family history of anything.
The other thing is that there are not too many people that seem to know about this test - apparently it is VERY new and has only been available for a few years which is another thing that worries me...
Basically it is a detailed sonogram, they measure certain aspects of the baby, and you also take a finger-prick blood test. There isn't really any risk involved - no more than a regular ultrascreen.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:39 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by karacg
Posted by itsbabytime
See, this worries me because my dr. was VERY clear that this test was not required that it was completely optional and I am older than you! I am under 30 though and as you, healthy with no family history of anything.
The other thing is that there are not too many people that seem to know about this test - apparently it is VERY new and has only been available for a few years which is another thing that worries me...
Basically it is a detailed sonogram, they measure certain aspects of the baby, and you also take a finger-prick blood test. There isn't really any risk involved - no more than a regular ultrascreen.
This will sound really stupid but what is the difference between an ultra sound and an ultra screen?
Also, is it harmful to get too many sonograms? A sonogram is the same thing right?
Ok, i sound like a total idiot!
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:41 AM |
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KateDevine
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Member since 6/06 24950 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by karacg
Posted by itsbabytime
See, this worries me because my dr. was VERY clear that this test was not required that it was completely optional and I am older than you! I am under 30 though and as you, healthy with no family history of anything.
The other thing is that there are not too many people that seem to know about this test - apparently it is VERY new and has only been available for a few years which is another thing that worries me...
Basically it is a detailed sonogram, they measure certain aspects of the baby, and you also take a finger-prick blood test. There isn't really any risk involved - no more than a regular ultrascreen.
Honestly? Since I knew I was not at risk for anything it was just a good time for DH to see the baby for the first time on a sonogram and that was how we looked at it. I really wouldn't get so stressed out about it personally.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:41 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Ultrascreen is a detailed ultrasound - done at 16 weeks - and includes the blood test.
Sonogram is the picture that you get from the ultrasound procedure.
Risk has not been proven, it is considered safe, but I wouldn't want to have them any moe than necessary.
I wouldn't stress it either, like Kate said. I didn't even think twice about it - great opportunity to see the baby.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:44 AM |
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karacg
Babygirl is 4!
Member since 5/05 17076 total posts
Name:
Kara®
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
PS -- I would get a few books - Your Pregnancy Week by Week, The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, etc. and look it up and decide for yourself. There are also some great web sites, as well as www.webmd.com
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:46 AM |
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ARIELSMOM
Love my Babes
Member since 8/05 5889 total posts
Name:
MEREDITH
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I just did mine last week. I really didnt mind to do it or not to do it, so i left it up to DH, and he said lets do it.
So i did, I dont have the results yet.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:50 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by karacg
PS -- I would get a few books - Your Pregnancy Week by Week, The Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy, etc. and look it up and decide for yourself. There are also some great web sites, as well as www.webmd.com
Thank you for all your help, really informative! I have a ton of books including the pregnancy week by week, the mayo clinic book and what to expect...the thing is none of them really have much if any info on the ultra screen. I could not find any statistics on the rate of false positives in any of them. I guess it is because this is a relatively new test.
I'm going to do some research and see if I can find the stats on the false positives - if there is a high chance of getting a false bad result i think i may pass. If not, it does sound pretty routine.
Message edited 1/30/2007 11:53:23 AM.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:51 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I didn't get this test with DD or this pg, nor the AFP test for personal reasons and the rate of false positives.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:52 AM |
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dawnie
Barb-Never removing this pic!
Member since 11/05 3932 total posts
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
http://www.genecare.com/ftm.html
I think the ultrascreen is from 11-13 weeks though.
The AFP test is around weeks 16.
It is amazing to see how much the baby had grown since my first sonogram.
Message edited 1/30/2007 11:53:29 AM.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:52 AM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I did not get the ultrascreen/AFP. I chose not to b/c a lot of the times the results sound like they are bad, but in reality it is not. I am already a hypochondriac about everything, and the big stuff that they test can be tested during the Level II. The genetic stuff (like the CF test & anemia, etc.) are tested during the routine bloodwork as well.
I think it is a very personal decision and is very different for everyone.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:53 AM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by MsMBV
I did not get the ultrascreen/AFP. I chose not to b/c a lot of the times the results sound like they are bad, but in reality it is not. I am already a hypochondriac about everything, and the big stuff that they test can be tested during the Level II. The genetic stuff (like the CF test & anemia, etc.) are tested during the routine bloodwork as well.
I think it is a very personal decision and is very different for everyone.
Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it. Is the Level II a matter of routine? Does every dr. do it or is it optional? My dr. did not mention this to me.
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| Posted 1/30/07 11:54 AM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I think it is a matter of personal choice.
I got it just to ease myself. Once evrything came back fine...I didnt do anymore testing
Message edited 1/30/2007 12:07:41 PM.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:07 PM |
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dawnie
Barb-Never removing this pic!
Member since 11/05 3932 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
The AFP has alot of false postives. I chose to get it anyway. THe ultrascreen (nuchal fold ultrasound and blood test) gave me an opportunity to see the baby.
They are both one of those optional tests that you can opt to have or not.
Actually..when I was pregnant I mentioned the test to Dr. H. They hadn't been sending people for it.
Message edited 1/30/2007 1:36:40 PM.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:09 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
Member since 9/06 2064 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I didn't have it done and never wondered if I should have. I think they over test and even told the nurse that when they wanted to test me for AIDS.  She told me some horror story that it's standard procedure now in the hospital after birth that they test all the babies if the mom wasn't screened [or was positive] and newborns always have a false positive [I had no oppurtunity to investigate this claim really] and they will then begin treating the baby with drugs for no reason. Just to shut her up, I let her draw an additional vial of blood...but it annoyed me.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:10 PM |
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snuggleupagus
I'm a rolling machine.
Member since 9/06 2064 total posts
Name:
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by MsMBV
I did not get the ultrascreen/AFP. I chose not to b/c a lot of the times the results sound like they are bad, but in reality it is not. I am already a hypochondriac about everything, and the big stuff that they test can be tested during the Level II. The genetic stuff (like the CF test & anemia, etc.) are tested during the routine bloodwork as well.
I think it is a very personal decision and is very different for everyone.
Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it. Is the Level II a matter of routine? Does every dr. do it or is it optional? My dr. did not mention this to me.
Level II [and in reality ANY ultrasound] is optional...they use it to check growth/timelines mainly. I only had it done so DH could see the baby. I didn't have a single sonogram with my first and never worried.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:12 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Thanks ladies for all the input! I really appreciate it! I think my biggest determining factor right now is the rate of false positives which I can't seem to find a definitive answer on anywhere. Since this would be the end all for me since I do not think i want the amnio i just want to know how great a chance there is of them saying something is wrong when it is not. When i was in my dr.'s office i heard the nurse talking to someone on the phone saying that most of the time when you get a bad result on the ultra screen - the amnio shows everything is fine. this is exactly what i do not want - to have to worry for the next seven months when my baby is fine!
anyway, if anyone has any info on the false positive rate i would really appreciate it!
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:13 PM |
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MsMBV
:P
Member since 5/05 28602 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by itsbabytime
Posted by MsMBV
I did not get the ultrascreen/AFP. I chose not to b/c a lot of the times the results sound like they are bad, but in reality it is not. I am already a hypochondriac about everything, and the big stuff that they test can be tested during the Level II. The genetic stuff (like the CF test & anemia, etc.) are tested during the routine bloodwork as well.
I think it is a very personal decision and is very different for everyone.
Thank you for your input! I really appreciate it. Is the Level II a matter of routine? Does every dr. do it or is it optional? My dr. did not mention this to me.
You are welcome. The level II is routine, as far as I know. They took a whole bunch of measurements & checked the nuchal fold & the eye sockets & all the other DS tests. They also checked to make sure all the appendages were growing at the same & proper rate. There was a whole bunch of blood flow dopplers & heart/organ checks too, but those are so far beyond me. The tech even checked to make sure the umbillical cord was functioning poperly. It was cool.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:13 PM |
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dm24angel
Happiness
Member since 5/05 34581 total posts
Name:
Donna
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
I got it and I wish I hadnt. We wanted to use it as an excuse for a sono and told ourselves thats ALL it would be.
But of course our results ( of the sono) came back somewhat bordeline high for defects. Our Bloodwork came back normal.
We have been driving ourselves NUTS ever since.
We choose NOT to have the AFP testing ( for other defects) which carries an even HIGHER false positive rate b/c of this.
So far our 20 week sono showed no problems so we hope it was wrong, a fluke, whatever.
I think its a personal decision though, just sharing my story.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:38 PM |
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itsbabytime
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 9644 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: The Ultra Screen - to get or not to get
Posted by dm24angel
I got it and I wish I hadnt. We wanted to use it as an excuse for a sono and told ourselves thats ALL it would be.
But of course our results ( of the sono) came back somewhat bordeline high for defects. Our Bloodwork came back normal.
We have been driving ourselves NUTS ever since.
We choose NOT to have the AFP testing ( for other defects) which carries an even HIGHER false positive rate b/c of this.
So far our 20 week sono showed no problems so we hope it was wrong, a fluke, whatever.
I think its a personal decision though, just sharing my story.
Thank you very much for sharing this! This is EXACTLY why I am hesitant about this test. Especially since I heard that not good results often mean NOTHING (which I am SURE is true in your case). That is why I am trying to find the false positive rate - because if it is very high than I do not think it is worth it precisely because of what you are going through when there is most likely no reason to worry.
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| Posted 1/30/07 12:44 PM |
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