Ultrascreen?

My daughter is 9 weeks. She went to the OB today and he talked about the ultrascreen and that if they choose to do it, it should be done at 12 or 13 weeks. I've been reading online and I'm reading that some people regret having it because they have been given false positives and spent time worrying and stressing about something being wrong. And all is well in the end. Any advice? My granddaughter will be 4 and I don't know if they even had this when she was pregnant with her. Thanks.

Ultrascreen?

I wasn't even given the choice. It was just done. I'm glad I did it.

Ultrascreen?

It's definitely a personal decision. For me, I'd rather chance dealing with a few weeks of unneeded worry than be faced with a huge surprise at an already difficult and emotional time right after giving birth. Maybe my thoughts would be different if I went through the stress of getting those elevated results but I do know someone who had a child with down syndrome before these tests were available and it was a tough thing to adjust to without having the chance to be prepared. They are also checking for heart defects which I would want the doctors to be prepared to deal with if necessary.

Re: Ultrascreen?

It's a personal decision. There are false positives, but I wished to have the screen done and would have pursued further testing if necessary. I know someone who received a shock in the delivery room when their baby was born with Down Syndrome. If God forbid there were something wrong, I would like the time to process the news and become educated and plan for the baby's care before his/her arrival. My thinking may be different if I or someone close to me ever had a false result though, so it really is a personal choice.

Re: Ultrascreen?

I'm going next week. Since I'll be 35 when I deliver they aren't really giving me a choice.

Re: Ultrascreen?

I am 35 and I had it done and wasn't given a choice.

Ultrascreen?

I don't think I was given a choice. I assumed it was "standard." I'm going today actually. If it was optional I'd still go. I don't think false positives are a common occurrence. I'm sure it happens, nothing is foolproof, but it's not something that would prevent me from going.

Ultrascreen?

It's definitely a choice that she has to make.

For me, it was more about being able to see the baby (sonograms are so much fun) than it was for checking if anything was wrong.

Ultrascreen?

I am probably the worst person to ask because I had elevated results on the test and I went through about 2 months of hell and stress. I ended up with a less than 1 in 5 chance of downs and elevated risk for other chromosomal abnormalities. I barely ate, slept and I feel like I got half of my pregnancy stripped from me. During a time that should have been the happiest of times was an an absolute nightmare. I feel cheated for the first half of pregnancy because I couldn't really enjoy it. Thank god I had a miracle and my baby is 100% fine and healthy! The CVS and Every test after came back normal. Knowing how many false positives there are with that test, I don't know if I could ever have it done again.

You really will get a mix of answers. Those who had a positive outcome will encourage you to have it done. Those with not so good results will probably tell you the opposite. It's such a personal decision to make.

Message edited 9/11/2014 12:20:38 PM.

Re: Ultrascreen?

Thank you so much for yor responses. I will pass them along to my daughter.

Re: Ultrascreen?