Ultascreen test-sorry long

Did anyone get a false-postive result? I have mine on Nov 3rd. With my #1 they didn't have the test yet (2003) with my #2 (2005) they tried for 45 minutes and the baby wouldn't turn to get the picture. So for both I just had an AFP blood test and everything came back fine.

It's just that a few girls at work swear they would just have an amnio instead of the Ultrascreen. Does that seem a little extreme or is it just me? I can understand when one girl had an amnio becuase her test came back borderline. She had an amnio and the baby is fine. I'll be 35 in Dec and all these girls are younger than me. I don't plan on having an amnio.

I don't want to offend anyone. Everyone has their own opinion and reasons for taking whatever test they pick, I'm just confused. I thought this test was developed to replace the AFP blood test and it's suppose to be extremely accurate. Just looking for some advice and views. TIA


edit for spelling

Message edited 10/17/2006 6:12:47 PM.

Re: Ultascreen test-sorry long

I would not get the amnio instead of the ultrascreen. If the ultrascreen came back 1 in 5, my doc said she would have recommended the amnio. On my first visit, she told me that at my age (34), the risk of the baby having Downs was equal to the risk of the amnio causing a miscarriage. I would not have wanted to take that chance, even though it was small.

My doc gave me a choice, I chose the ultrascreen, and she was glad. She really wasn't in favor of going straight to the amnio. Personally, I believe that the less invasive the better unless medically necessary. However, I also am ok with the fact that only the amnio is 100%- I came back low risk with the ultrascreen and the AFP, and if by some small chance something IS wrong, then we'll cross that bridge then.

Re: Ultascreen test-sorry long

I had the ultrascreen and the AFP. The results of the ultrascreen were good so I decided not to have an amnio. My dr. agreed that it was not necessary. Why don't you wait and see what the ultrascreen says?

Re: Ultascreen test-sorry long

The Ultrascreen is just a detailed ultrasound (where they look at the baby and measure the folds of the neck) and a blood test (usually just a finger prick). It is used as an early detection for Downs Syndrome and is not invasive. About a month later, I had the alpha-feta protein test, which is also just bloodwork. The AFP test can have a high rate of false positives, but again is not invasive and I'm pretty sure optional. That can also be a detection for Downs, Spina Bifida and other conditions. The amnio is much more invasive and has a risk of miscarriage, although it is a very small risk. It is usually not something that is just automatically given to women under the age of 35 and in my honest opinion, I wouldn't do it unless absolutely necessary. I had the same concerns that you did before I went. It turns out the Ultrascreen is pretty amazing. I had mine done at NSUH and I got to see the baby tumble around for the first time, etc. I am turning 34 soon and am 23 weeks - I did not feel a need to pursue an amnio and would only have done so if there was a serious medical need. I would only listen to what you your doctor says and what you feel is right for you.

ETS: I'm sorry - I just reread your post and realized you had experienced some of these tests before. Sorry if I'm being redundant. I was actually po'd that some of your coworkers thought it would be a bright idea to just bypass the ultrascreen and go straight to the amnio, without even getting the results back. And yes, I do think that is extreme.

Message edited 10/17/2006 6:33:50 PM.

Re: Ultascreen test-sorry long

I definitly don't want an amnio because of the miscarriage factor. If my numbers come back high then I'll cross that bridge too when and if I get there. I'm just so surprised at the reaction I got from people when I told them I was going for mine in Nov. Like I said, this test is suppose to replace the AFP test because AFP test had so many false-postive results. Both of my past AFP test came back fine.

Has anyone ever heard of someone coming back with a fasle-postive result from an Ultrascreen?

Re: Ultascreen test-sorry long

I had a "false positive" with this test while pregnant with my daughter. My results were suppposedly 1:5, which is totally extreme--and evidently very very bad. People freak out over 1:200, so you can imagine!

Anyway, I scheduled the amnio for 5 days later, I think it was--longest 5 days of my life and definitely a life-changing experience to this day. I definitely wanted to know the deal to begin to prepare. We get to the hospital almost in pieces and found out minutes before the procedure that there was a "lab error" in transcription and my real results were 1:50,000!!!!! Would you believe me if I told you it was April Fools' Day?!?!

Even though this happened to me, the accuracy for this test is better than 90% and my situation was just a freak thing. I would DEFINITELY opt for this test over the amnio, which carries its own risks. In fact, mine is scheduled for 11/1 but you can bet I'll be quadruple checking every number that goes on my file!

Good Luck!

Message edited 10/17/2006 6:47:35 PM.

Re: Ultascreen test-sorry long

I would definitely have the ultrascree before considering an Amnio. Just to clarify, however, the ultrascreen does not replace the AFP. The ultrascreen is done at 12 weeks and then you still get the AFP at 16 weeks - reason being that the ultrascreen does not test for Spina Bfida and some other disorders. That being said both tests are considered more accurate the older you are. I decided against having it done because at my age there was a higher risk of false positives and false negatives as it only detected downs 50% of the time in someone in their twenties.

sorry for the long wided answer but I did an extensive amount of research on this.

Good luck and have a happy and healthy pregnancy!