Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I'm very undecided. I have heard that this test only makes you worry and that's the last thing I need...Would it be the worst thing to not do it? Benefits?

Message edited 3/1/2007 6:29:40 PM.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

We did the ultrascreen mainly b/c of my age (36) & b/c we were using this test to determine if we wanted additional tests (based on results)...amnio, etc.

We were actually relieved when we got the results & we were able to see the peanut again & it was a good thing for us.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I decided against it.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I didn't do it. The doctor didn't even bring it up and when I did she said it's elective. My husband was in the room and he said he was against it and I was half and half so I went along with his wishes. The way I look at it is, say you get a great result, ok, they are testing for a limited amount of conditions. Ok so they rule out downs - that's not to say there isn't going to be something else wrong with the baby that they didn't test for, you know? I tend to be a worrier as it is so for me it was better not to do it. If you decide not to do it, you can ask about how the nucheal fold looks at your level II but I don't know if you can still get an amnio at that point.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I'd rather have the peace of mind early on that all is well. I was comfortable with the idea of having an amnio if it was needed though.

Plus, it was cool to see the baby. Also, apparently, the Ultrascreen has a smaller "false postive" rate than the Level II/AFP.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I take everything offered.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

opps forget to write..its a great way to see the baby again!!!

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

Thanks for sharing everyone....I will be 32 this year and don't want the amnio. I will really have to think long and hard about this one, I have a few weeks though.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I didn't because I knew it would be just a screening and it is inacurate.

Since I wanted a peace of mind, I had an amnio. So, there was no need for an ultrascreen.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

i don't want to do it because it can be inaccurate and i don't want to worry more if they say something is wrong.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I opted out of the screening tests-ultrascreen, AFP, except sono's for both my pregnancies.

Mostly because of the inaccuracy of these tests, and I wouldn't do an amnio to follow up or terminate a pg. I have enough to worry about, i didn't want to worry about the what if's since i would not take additional tests if the screening came back off.

Message edited 3/1/2007 8:15:53 PM.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

We did it for the pics.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

We decided against it because the results did not matter to us and we would not have gone forward with an amnio.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I decided against it. I am a chronic worrier and a hypochondriac. We would not terminate a PG anyway even if there were negative results, and since I grew up raising a special needs brother, I feel I am already "prepared" if I have to do the same for my child. I would not have had an amnio to confirm or negate any findings either.

It is a very personal decision though, and you need to do what you & DH feel comfortable with. (also they checked A LOT of the same things on the Level II that they would on an ultrascreen, according to the tech, so it is not like we are completely in the dark either).

ETA I am 33 & DH is 32

Message edited 3/2/2007 7:31:00 AM.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

We ddidn't do it, didn't feel it necessary. I just turned 33 so I'm no spring chicken either! We have the AFP scheduled for the end of the month wich will test for the same things and then some but that to I've heard isn't so accurate! I don't want an amnio done that just scares me! Good luck with whatever you decide!!

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

My doctor didnt make it sound like an option at all. He told me that I was going on such and such date... but I really want to see the baby again.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

Thanks for you replies everyone

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I didn't do it...but then I wished I did because it was SO LONG before we had another sono!

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I just made this decision last night w/DH and we decided to do it. I figure, if they find something wrong, we will be prepared to treat it, whether it be in the womb or after the baby is born and the earlier the treatment, the better. My Dr. even told me he did it w/his 3 kids and all three came back w/abnormalities and all 3 kids were fine. He said, its better to be prepared than not, and that is pretty much what convinced me. If the results come back abnormal for whatever reason, I think I can manage to try to not worry too much as I have heard of many instances where it comes back abnormal and everything could be 100% ok. I'd rather treat any possible problems as early as possible and try really hard to put my worries aside for the sake of the baby.

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I wanted to respond to this thread even though I did have it done because I had initially decided not to for the reason you said. I was pretty sure I would not want to go through an amnio and I am a very high anxiety person and didn't want the worry of a false positive. ESPECIALLY after talking to my dr. and friends and hearing EVERY story of a bad result turning out to be NOTHING wrong after the amnio or healthy birth.

THAT SAID - I then found out that I would not be having another sono after my 8wk visit until 20 wks. Being an anxious person the idea of having to wait three more months to see my baby and know it was still growing ok made me more nervous than the ultrascreen! Also, I was waiting until the 12wk to tell many people and I just wanted the peace of mind of knowing the baby was doing ok.

After having it done - I have to say - I am SO SO HAPPY that I did. It was SUCH an amazing experience - honestly, as cheesy as it sounds, one of the best moments of my life. Sooooo different than the 8 wk sono - seeing the baby moving all around, seeing its arms and legs on the screen and its little motions was AMAZING beyond words! That experience was worth the worrying i went through about the results without a doubt.

Thank God my results were perfect, that didn't hurt either! But, I think I am done with testing now until the 20 week ultrasound - I really don't want to put myself through the AFP which has even more false positives than this test.

Hope this helps For me it was a very difficult decision and I wanted to try and share my insight having gone through it

Re: Who decided against an ultrascreen?

I just have a question for those who didn't and are later in the pregnancies. Do you still think and worry about things? I know everyone is different with worrying, but I know I had a great sense of relief when I got all my results back and I have not worried since. I'm just wondering if you still worry up to labor - if you choose not to do these tests. (this is total curiosity and no judgment at all)