18weeks pregnant: down syndrome testing

Kaytee - posted on 04/16/2010

I am 15 weeks pregnant, and my DR has been bringin up the down syndrome testing. In his personal opinion he says a lot of the time the test will bring up a false positive. He also said that anything that would come up would probably be able to be caught in an ultrasound and wouldn't like to stress me out thinking something was wrong with my baby.

He said a lot of the time that the false positive just stresses the mother out and when the baby is born the baby is just fine.. I would suggest maybe giving it a little more time. Let your baby grow a few more weeks and see what the ultrasound might bring up..

Hope this helps.

Barb - posted on 04/16/2010

No I didn't get it either with my son and he's fine. I didn't see the point, no matter what my child would or would not have, I would love and keep it. What would I do, abort the child if it had a CHANCE of something?!!! Absolutely not!! The tests are not accurate, so even if they find something, you'll probably worry over nothing. I don't know why people even test for that - I know several children with Downs and they have been an absolute joy to thier families! It's not like you could change it, anyway.

You're baby will be fine. :)

Bethany - posted on 04/16/2010

No testing is mandatory. You can decline anything. We didn't have any blood or genetic testing on either of our girls. The amniocentesis poses a risk for your baby, so you have to decide if the test is important enough to get. We didn't get it done because of the risk and because we wouldn't kill our own baby no matter what the tests say. Also, the tests are not completely accurate. I actually agree with the doctor on this one (which rarely happens!). If you know you don't want the amnio, then there's no point in getting a blood test for Down Syndrome.

Veronique - posted on 04/16/2010

I've had 2 beautiful little girls and have never had the down syndrome test done and they are perfectly fine. I live in Montreal Canada and here the test cost 400$ and since i'm in my early 20's and there's no down syndrome on either side of the famillies i decided not to. If you have your family history and that you are under 35 then i would say don't get it. It's really a personel choice and i don't think your friends/family or your doctor should force you to do something that you don't feel safe with.
Good luck and i'm sure your baby will be perfect!! =)

Jaci - posted on 04/16/2010

Just to be sure that nothing is wrong I would have the test done if I were you.
I had mine done around that same time and it came back that my baby is fine. I think its just better to be prepared if there is something you need to know.

Elysia - posted on 04/16/2010

As far as i know its not mandatory but it is becoming much more routine and its done at 13 weeks and involves an ultrasound and blood test. The 18week scan is a morphology scan, which i believes is checking that all body parts are growin correctly and to check for things like cleft palate. Im pregnant with baby number 2 and had the nuchal scan (down syndrome) done, but did not have it with my first baby whos only 13 months old. But i am seeing a different doctor this time around. My doctor explained that its just telling u how high a risk u have and if its high enough they recomend the amnio. But u dont have to have anything done that u dont want.

Ashley - posted on 04/16/2010

My dr could never tell me my due date because my baby was so big! I did all the testing that was asked and nothing ever went wrong! I gained 20 lbs my entire pregnancy 9.3 was my baby and 8 lbs of fluid! they said it was enough to fill a one gallon milk jug so only a couple lbs of that was actual fat or whatever! The testing is only there for the safety of your baby and for you to know what is going on inside of you! Just because your fine thus far doesn't mean something can't go wrong! Personally I would want to know and be able to prepare if something was to happen! But my baby girl is now 13 months and healthy as a horse and has never really been sick but 1 time which wasn't that bad at all! Good Luck to you and Congratulations!

Ashley=) - posted on 04/16/2010

So just a question once pregnant and you want the test for ds then what.Do most get it to see if there child has it to be prepared or to abort if the don't want a ds baby.I am very curious.Also many have had a false positive and had a healthy baby without ds.So if it were to abort you could be getting rid of a healthy child anyway.I wouldnt care once a baby is growing in me i take that child in what ever health the may be i just wouldnt care i would deal with what life has to offer the baby and me at the moment of birth.Leave it in gods hands as the say.

Megan - posted on 04/15/2010

And for all those people out there who think that Downs Syndrom is passed through genetics and haven't been tested because they aren't in a high risk category, i was 25 with absolutely no family history of DS when i had my first child who was diagnosed with DS. My doctor told me she didn't offer me the test as is wasn't in a high risk category. Now 80% of DS babies are born to younger families because of this mentality. One type of DS is genetic, but this type isn't the most common out there. DS can happen to anyone, it's just one of those things mother natures intends. So please don't be niave, make informed decisions.

Megan - posted on 04/15/2010

All testing is definately optional and 100% your decision. Having been given the option to have the test is the most important thing i think. Then the decision is yours as to whether to take the tests or not. I was not offered the test and when i found out about it it was too late to get an accurate reading. i certainly didn't feel anything was wrong with my pregnancy or my baby. I now have the most beautiful 17 months old daughter with Downs Syndrome. Like lots of others out there even if i needed an amnio i would not have put my baby at risk. I do however beleive that if you make that decision, you need to be prepared to have a baby with special needs. I would not change a thing about my precious daughter, but it certainly hasn't been an easy 17 months. With DS like all other disabilities comes lots of additional medical issues that you need to be prepared to deal with. So, all the decisions are yours at the end of the day. So long as you can confidently, and for the rest of your life, deal with your decision, that's the only thing that matters.

Gorokhovsky - posted on 04/15/2010

Hi Billie,
I have two healthy girls aged 6 and 2. with both pregnancies I had that down syndrome test come back with a concern but I never did the amniocentisis. It is a very dangerous and risky test to do. I personally said that I will keep my baby no matter what. I don't care. I read a lot of material online that this is the new method of trying to do money - on these tests, and the way my doctor "bargained" with me, how much of a discount he will give me if I do the test, I SAID NO AND HAVE TWO HEALTHY KIDS.
But it's up to you to decide! Good luck, and don't worry too much :-) Enjoy your pregnancy!

Samantha - posted on 04/15/2010

My dr. broke it down. Only about 4% of 1000 babies have a disease screened in the quad test. She advised not to get it b/c it cause more worrying than anything. added stress in this crutial time is not needed.

Katie Pearl - posted on 04/15/2010

When I was pregnant... my doc gave me a pamphlet and told me all about the test.. after his memorized speech he told me that it was required that he fully educate me about the test but then he asked me a question... "if something was wrong would you love your baby any less?"... I said no... So then he said " well then I don't see any reason to do the test, which is not 100% accurate anyway. It will only stress you out and make you worry when there may not even be anything wrong" "Unless you just want to have it and in that case... Medicade does not cover it" So after hearing all of that I knew that I didn't need the test... I knew that I would love my child no matter what. Also I was kinda short on cash...lol... but seriously My doctor talked to me like a person and told me that it was unnecessary unless he had a reason to be concerned, which he did not... Also Sara Dodson is right All testing is optional... Your body... Your decesions... Don't worry... or at least try not to worry as much...hormones are a b**ch aren't they... lol good luck and congradulations on you soon to be mommyhood... xoxo

Sierra - posted on 04/15/2010

The tests are only there to see in advance whether your baby has DS. You can't do anything if it's positive, so you might as well not take the test. There is also a risk of miscarriage with it..even though it's a small percent, I still wouldn't do it! I'm not sure why people say it's necessary when they can't treat down syndrome in the womb! But definitely do what you think is right...they can't make you do an amnio if you don't want to..even if they say you have to.

Laura - posted on 04/15/2010

not mandatory, its ur pregnancy you can decide.. also fyi there are a lot of false positives for this test.. and sometimes amnio can be dangerous.. just pray on it

Bekah - posted on 04/15/2010

I refused the test. It wasn't mandatory and when I researched the Quad screen they were going to do it wasn't very accurate. It said 99% of women that they tell that their babies may have down syndrome have perfectly healthy babies. I just didn't feel the need to have it done.

Kate - posted on 04/15/2010

I didn't have the tests done only because the results wouldn't have changed anything we did. Even if our daughter had downs we wouldn't have ended the pregnancy so I didn't see the point. I hope you make the decision you want and don't let anyone make you feel bad whether you do it or not.

April - posted on 04/15/2010

I never got it done when I was pregnant because you can get a false positive and your baby can be perfectly fine. I decided not to get it because I would love my baby unconditionally with or without problems.

Liz - posted on 04/15/2010

I say don't do the amniocentesis if you plan on keeping the baby no matter what. Getting that test done can make you go into preterm labor and has other risk. My friends was suppose to get one and I went with her, her doctor said if you plan on keeping the baby no matter what there is no sense in risking the babies life just for that. I totally agree.

Natasha - posted on 04/15/2010

My doctor tried to pressure me to do the test but there was no way i was going to do it!! It was my baby whether it would have down syndrome or not. My sister has down syndrome and she is the sweetest most adorable girl ever!! I have learnt so much from her and she has brought so much joy and happiness to our family! Disabled children are all a blessing from God and they are brought into our lives for a reason.

Lainie - posted on 04/15/2010

The testing is optional. I paid to have the test done because at the time i had thought it was important but by the time i picked up the test results i had changed my mind. I already loved this baby more than anything and couldnt bring myself to look at the results i didnt even take them to my Dr. I wont do it again for the next pregnancy.

Becca - posted on 04/15/2010

down syndrome is typically a higher risk for anyone over 30. that's why sometimes it's optional. especially if you're under 30. if you're over 30 they recommend but not optional.

Chantelle - posted on 04/15/2010

if u feel sure ur baby is fine then chances are she is. i never took the test either. it's more for older women because they have a higher chance of having a baby affected by the diseases they test for. it can cause a miscarriage too.

Jessie - posted on 04/15/2010

It's NOT mandatory! I refused it b/c it didn't matter b/c I was having a baby and as long as she looked healthy I was happy. If you don't feel you need it, and don't care to have it then stick to that. You will do what you feel is best for you and your little one. :)

Amber - posted on 04/15/2010

I was offered to get my little girl tested for that when i was pregnant and there was no thinkin about it . I told them no because it would not change how i felt about her if i did not know through out the pregnancy and then find out when she was born. And also if i would have had the test and she would have had it I would have done nothing but put my self understress always worrying about the slightest thing. And any slight abnormality I would have been calling the dr freaking out. But its your decision. Your child and your body. I chose not to because regardless I would not have thought any less nor loved my baby less. I would just rather had not known and had a happy pregnancy instead of worrying the whole time. Pregnancy is supposed to be enjoyed because you are growing your child and creating a bond. If your stressed all the time the baby will be too. Thats not healthy.

Melinda - posted on 04/15/2010

Its your decision and that test has a high false positive rate anyways! I didn't have it done for that exact reason. Good Luck...and don't listen to your friend, your dr is fine.

Ashley - posted on 04/15/2010

My doctor didnt tell me I was being tested, which is something anyone deserves to know about. It wasnt until I was into my 7th month that I had asked him if I was ever going to have work down to see if my son had DS, when I brought it up is when he told me my results. Of course at the time I was furious because I was afraid, but now realize that if something had been wrong he would have brought it up months ago

Laura - posted on 04/15/2010

I didn't have this test done. This test is stupid. Sometimes the results are wrong. I'm not saying you would get an abortion, but many women would if they found out their unborn baby had a problem like that. Doctors make big bucks off abortions. That's why many of them push for people to find out if the baby has problems. If any of my babies are born with down syndrome, or any other problem, so be it.

Ashley=) - posted on 04/15/2010

In Ireland this test isn't done unless you want it yourself and personally no i wouldnt do it if i was a planning a baby and conceived thats the most important thing to me and to have a good healthy pregnancy and a child safe and well to cherish no matter what.:-)nothing prepares you for having a child in the first place so i don't see how knowing before hand if your child has down syndrome helps only my opinion here i understand my way of thinking isn't everybody's..

Belinda - posted on 04/15/2010

I agree with Sara, ALL testing is mandatory. Honestly yes I did agree to the down syndrome testing ONLY cause I have a down syndrome cousin in my family. Which I thought would be necessary. But i did not agree to the amniocentisis because I had heard that it could make you have a miscarriage. So really it's your desicion on how you see things. Hope I could help.

Mandy - posted on 04/15/2010

We didn't do the test. The test only measures probability, not the actual presence of the abnormality. We felt that even if the test was positive, it wouldn't change anything, especially since I think an amniocentesis is too dangerous to do and we wouldn't know for sure anyway.

Christina - posted on 04/15/2010

You don't have to do anything that you don't feel comfortable with. To decline is your right! And even if the bloodwork came back saying the baby had down syndrome there isn't anything they can do about it anyway. And sometimes it comes back wrong, saying that the baby has down syndrome when it doesn't, and the mom does nothing but worry herself sick the rest of the pregnancy (i have seen this happen). I had the test done with my first two pregnancies and everything was okay. Doc didn't do it with my thrid pregnancy because I was prego with triplets and it would have came back wrong anyway. If you feel like there is no need for it then don't sweat it. It's your call, Momma :o) May God bless you and your family.

Erika - posted on 04/15/2010

The test is not mandatory. I get the test when i was 18 weeks, and it came back positive for downs. i went to a specialist and my baby is perfectly normal. I was a false positive. i had no fam history neither did my fiance. The specialist told me 80% of all women who get this test will get a false pos. All it did was cause stress and worry for no reason at all. I would not get it unless you have a severe history.

Jamie - posted on 04/15/2010

Testing for DS is never mandatory, it is only "highly recommended" for mothers over the age of 35. My doctor didn't even offer to test my baby for it since i was only 20, and my "risk" of having conceived a baby with DS was only about 1 in 1400. DS is a chromosomal abnormality (trisomy21) in which the baby has an extra chromosome 21... It's a completely random genetic occurrence due to one of the gametes having an extra chromosome (usually the ova) and has nothing to do with family history of DS, but is directly related to maternal age.

IMO, most women should forgo testing and amnios unless they're over 35.

Jessi - posted on 04/15/2010

like everyones says: not manditory! with my first, i wasnt offered a test, though i had so darn much blood work done because of other things maybe they just put in in and didnt mention it! with my second my dr asked me "do you want the testing for downs syndrom? i dont think you should get it; because abortions are wrong!" i was like.. omg.. what?! i hadnt even realized that these tests were routine for everyone. i wouldnt have aborted under any circumstances and what my dr said really pissed me off.. but anyway i declined the ds blood test as well! it would be good to know and be prepared if something were "wrong" but all the added worry while waiting for results and the risk of false positives..not worth the stress in my opinion!! congrats on the pregnancy! and good luck :)

Shannon - posted on 04/15/2010

No, it is not a mandatory test, it is completely elective!

I opted not to have the test done with my son because the accuracy rate is extremely low with a high rate of false positives and I didn't feel that the added stress of worrying was healthy for me or my baby.

Ashleigh - posted on 04/15/2010

With my 1st pregnancy I declined this test, I decided that I didn't want to know because if there was something wrong I wasn't going to terminate anyways. With this pregnancy I did have the test, my perinatologist just said that it is better to know if something may be wrong so that they can be prepared at the birth. So far everything is looking good with baby #2, the ultrasound, the measurement of the neck was great and now just waiting for blood work to come back.

I am glad that I had that ultrasound, they found out that my placenta isn't attached quite right, it is curled up on the edges. Just one more reason to be high risk.

Good luck with your results!

Victoria - posted on 04/15/2010

Okay in my opinion you are the mother and even before your baby is born you know if there is something to be concerned about. In my experience I took the test just to put my mind at ease, but my last baby I was unable to get the test done because I was switching doctors and by the time I started seeing the doctor who delivered my baby it was too late to do the test. I was too far along. My son came out with not down sydrome but he did come out with alot of birth defects that the doctor believes to be Townes-Brock Sydrome. I had several ultrasounds and nothing showed anything wrong. Although to this today I wonder why the ultrasounds never anything because some of his defects had to do with his spine, and they check that with the ultrasound. About knowing if there is something wrong, I did know. The pregnancey did not feel like any of my others. I had a bad feeling that there was something wrong. I just didn't know what. The test is your decision, I know I had three kids before my last and with all three I had the test done, but my brother in law also had down sydrome so I was scared my kids would get it. I know lots of people who didn't get it done and their kids were perfectly healthy. Do what you are comfortable with. I believe if you feel like everything is okay than nine times out of ten it is and your baby is just fine.

Lara - posted on 04/15/2010

Its a hard decision but I refused the tests also. I lost a great friend to Cystic Fibrosis when we were 19. She was such a wonderful person and a great friend. I knew that no matter what the tests would show I could not abort and I didn't want to spend my entire pregnancy worried about the future--I did enough of that already!!!

Marie - posted on 04/15/2010

have my second child due in aug was offered dat test 2 time n refused to get it down as dare where downs in both side of the family ... ill love my baby no matter what

Josslyn - posted on 04/15/2010

Down syndrome is standard in our country, I think you should have it done, I'm sure nothing is wrong, but have the test done for piece of mind. I had mine done two weeks ago at 20 weeks and everything is fine. Also had some others done but got no idea what they were for lol!! but they were all clear according to my charts.

Christi - posted on 04/15/2010

it was maditory when i got it done. the amnicentisis is only done if the blood work shows there is a possiblilty for down syndrome. i don't see the harm in drawing your blood, i think you are just too scared to know.

Jeanna - posted on 04/14/2010

It was suggested I have the test also as I'm sure it is with everyone but I told them either way I was having my baby and would ove him all the same. He is now a happy 8 yrs old and perfectly normal aside from all of his allergies which we are well used to now. Do what feels right for you!!!

Miranda - posted on 04/14/2010

I opted not to get the test, my OB/GYN said that it was optional. She also told me that even if the results came out positive, that didn't mean that the child would develop Down Syndrome. I discussed it with my fiance, and we decided not to do it because esentially there really isn't anything that we could do about it, plus why make ourselves worry over something that could also be a false-positive. I am fortunate to say that my child came out just fine, and I was able to focus on my pregnancy and the health of myself and child instead of "what could be". I hope this helps, good luck, and just know that whatever decision that YOU make will be the right one.

Brianna - posted on 04/14/2010

I never had the test, I figured even if my baby did have down syndrome it wouldn't make a difference, I would still keep the baby and love the baby just the same! Why get yourself all worked up and worried, you should enjoy your pregnancy with as little stress as you can. :-D Congratulations on the little one! :-D

Gin - posted on 04/14/2010

I have declined the test 3 times its something that I dont think is needed cause alot of times the test will give a false reading and cause someone to worry when there is no need for it..the only test I didnt decline was for GD cause diebeties run in my family

Jessica - posted on 04/14/2010

i declined the DS test and the CF test i just didnt see any need in worrying through both of my pregnancys the hole time, cuz they were still gonna be my perfect babies reguardless.. and two my dr said they have alot of false positives so that was even more of a reason i didnt want to get them done. so i would say good choice in not getting them done..=)

Lyndsay - posted on 04/14/2010

It is completely optional, but if you choose to get the blood work that doesn't obligate you to amniocentisis. If you get the blood work done and you're told that you have a lot of risk factors, you can choose to go one step further and get the amniocentisis. But you could also choose not to. I personally got my blood tested because I wanted to know, even though I wasn't 100% on the amniocentisis. Luckily I wasn't high risk, so I didn't have to choose.

Jen - posted on 04/14/2010

I always get a little worried when I see posts with titles like these, but so far I have been pleasantly surprised. Let me back up a bit... My husband and I were 27 and 28 when we got pregnant with our first child. Just as many have posted prior, we opted out of all additional testing beyond the first few blood tests. We were in the camp "if the tests come back positive we won't change anything anyway so why spend the rest of the pregnancy worrying". I will never know if there were signs of Downs in my daughter's ultrasounds because they never mentioned anything, and because we didn't have any testing done it was a huge shock when three days AFTER Cameran was born the pediatrician on call suggested we get her tested for DS. It is now a year later, and whether or not a mother gets a prenatal diagnosis, a post-natal diagnosis such as myself, or those awful false positives that lead to worrisome pregnancies often for nothing, I feel everything happens for a reason. Sure, I never expected for my family to be the 1 in (insert fluctuating number ranging from 800s to 1,200s for age) who has a child with special needs, but Cami is a person with far more commonalities to other babies than differences. Her DS is a part of her; it is not her entire being. I was horrified to hear that up to 90% of prenatal diagnosis are aborted. I wonder how many of those are the false positives that many posters have mentioned. I wish you the best. If you or anyone is interested in looking at my blog, there are only a few entries but Cameran's birth story recap is included as well as some pics.
www.lovingpeanut.blogspot.com
Best wishes.

Ashley - posted on 04/14/2010

This test is optional, but I chose to get it done because I figured one tube of blood wouldn't be that bad. My test came up positive with a 1 in 120 chance of my child having downs which is pretty high for someone my age. Well, they sent me to have a level II ultrasound done to check for marks of downs. Which then I was giving a choice of having any other testing done to see. Which I didn't do because either way I was meant to have him. Which lucky he didn't and only had a club foot is why the test came back positive.