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KittyCat
Happy Summer !
Member since 5/05 2241 total posts
Name:
Kathleen
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Need opionion.....
ok, had 16 week check up last night, The nuchal (spelling ?) downs syndrome test blood and ultrasound I had 4 weeks ago was very good.
Dr. said it is optional to get the blood screening for downs - I told her I thought that is what the last test was for and she said that this is just a 2nd more, more accurate - BUT alot of false positives that would lead to an amnio (I do not want anmino - scared of it) so I asked was the first test result risking where I should take this 2nd one and she said no.
Should I? did you take it or not take it?
I have no idea what to do...
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Posted 3/24/06 8:56 AM  |
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justme1
Proud SAHM
Member since 5/05 1955 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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Re: Need opionion.....
Such a personal choice to make.
I am going to be taking the nuchal test and if it comes back negative I am NOT going to keep putting myself through the rest of them..
If your satisfied with the last results why take another test that has even a higher rate of false positives?
Its really up to you... I personally would and will skip it.
Message edited 3/24/2006 9:31:16 AM.
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| Posted 3/24/06 9:25 AM |
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preciouslove
I love my DS!!!
Member since 5/05 9340 total posts
Name:
Blank
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Re: Need opionion.....
If she said that the first test result showed no risk then why would she even bring up this second test? You should do what you feel is the right thing for you. I did the amnio because of a false positive that I got back from blood tests that showed a risk for down's syndrome. We just felt like we couldn't go on worrying for the rest of the pregnancy whether or not there was going to be something wrong with the baby. Then again there are people who chose not to have these blood tests or amnios done, it all depends on how you feel inside about getting these tests done.
Thank God my results came back normal but it was hard. Doing the actual amnio was not painful it was the waiting for the results which can take up to 2-3 weeks but they do have this thing called the F.I.S.H. test where you get preliminary results within 48 hours and it's usually 98% accurate and if that comes back normal then the final results should back that up. My 48 hour results took longer cuz I had my amnio done right smack in the middle of the christmas holiday so I had to go through the holidays what that big worry in the back of my head and it wasn't easy. However I don't regret doing it cuz it put my mind at ease.
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| Posted 3/24/06 9:28 AM |
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anon
where's winter?
Member since 11/05 2209 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by bedda26
If she said that the first test result showed no risk then why would she even bring up this second test?
my dr. explained to me that the nuchal test + blood + AFP provides a better overall picture.
my personal take on testing is to answer the question "what will you do with the information provided?" if terminating is not an option, i personally would opt out of testing. some people elect to test without the notion of terminating stating that they want to "prepare" for certain scenarios. for me, that information would only add additional stress to my pregnancy.
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| Posted 3/24/06 9:54 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by anon
Posted by bedda26
If she said that the first test result showed no risk then why would she even bring up this second test?
my dr. explained to me that the nuchal test + blood + AFP provides a better overall picture.
my personal take on testing is to answer the question "what will you do with the information provided?" if terminating is not an option, i personally would opt out of testing. some people elect to test without the notion of terminating stating that they want to "prepare" for certain scenarios. for me, that information would only add additional stress to my pregnancy.
I agree. After the ultrascreen my dr. said everything was fine and gave us the option to do the nuchal test. We decided against it.
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| Posted 3/24/06 9:56 AM |
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LuvMy2Girls
@>---------
Member since 5/05 11165 total posts
Name:
Mommy
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by anon
Posted by bedda26
If she said that the first test result showed no risk then why would she even bring up this second test?
my dr. explained to me that the nuchal test + blood + AFP provides a better overall picture.
my personal take on testing is to answer the question "what will you do with the information provided?" if terminating is not an option, i personally would opt out of testing. some people elect to test without the notion of terminating stating that they want to "prepare" for certain scenarios. for me, that information would only add additional stress to my pregnancy.
Exactly!!! This is great advice.
We opted to not take the AFP test, becuase of the false positives, there is no way I would terminate a pregnancy that far along and I didn't want to do the amnio and without the follow up from the blood test, I didn't want to spend the rest of my pg worrying about the what ifs. We are happy we made the decision not too. It really is a personal decision though, we took into consideration our family history and our ages.
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| Posted 3/24/06 9:57 AM |
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justme1
Proud SAHM
Member since 5/05 1955 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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Re: Need opionion.....
Dina..
My ultra-screen test i made an apt for at 12 weeks IS the nuchal test/blood test.
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| Posted 3/24/06 9:58 AM |
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preciouslove
I love my DS!!!
Member since 5/05 9340 total posts
Name:
Blank
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Re: Need opionion.....
I think that's what it comes down to in the end. That it's a personal decision you make.
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:01 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: Need opionion.....
Posted by IslandGrl
Such a personal choice to make.
I am going to be taking the nuchal test and if it comes back negative I am NOT going to keep putting myself through the rest of them..
If your satisfied with the last results why take another test that has even a higher rate of false positives?
Its really up to you... I personally would and will skip it.
I will do the same when I get my results and if all is fine
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:10 AM |
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KittyCat
Happy Summer !
Member since 5/05 2241 total posts
Name:
Kathleen
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Re: Need opionion.....
Thanks everyone, I TRULY appreciate all the opionions, I would've taken the 2nd test if the first one came back odd, but I really see no reason to take it , if everything is ok right now.
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:14 AM |
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MrsJ
I love my Katie Bug
Member since 5/05 11357 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: Need opionion.....
I had both tests done just to be reassured that all was OK. I wanted to avoid the amnio so the more test results that came back good, the better.
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:17 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by IslandGrl
Dina..
My ultra-screen test i made an apt for at 12 weeks IS the nuchal test/blood test.
I am confused then because I thought that the Ultrascreen was a sono type test. I stand corrected.
I do know that the doctor did ask us if we wanted to take an additional test that involved blood work and if it came back positive we would need an amnio. This is the blood test I told the doctor that I wanted to opt put of. At least I think I did opt out of it. I have had so much blood taken, I really can't remember.
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:18 AM |
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Ali1
Mommy
Member since 8/05 3116 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by IslandGrl
Dina..
My ultra-screen test i made an apt for at 12 weeks IS the nuchal test/blood test.
I think you are confused here. My doctor said they can't do that test until 16 weeks. They do a sonogram sometimes at 12 weeks to get measurements to see preliminary if your child might have down's syndrome. The blood test gives you a more positive result, but it also has a very high rate of false positives.
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:20 AM |
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anon
where's winter?
Member since 11/05 2209 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by MrsJ
I had both tests done just to be reassured that all was OK. I wanted to avoid the amnio so the more test results that came back good, the better.
this was our approach as well...
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:26 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by Ali1
Posted by IslandGrl
Dina..
My ultra-screen test i made an apt for at 12 weeks IS the nuchal test/blood test.
I think you are confused here. My doctor said they can't do that test until 16 weeks. They do a sonogram sometimes at 12 weeks to get measurements to see preliminary if your child might have down's syndrome. The blood test gives you a more positive result, but it also has a very high rate of false positives.
This was the test I was thinking of. Thanks! 
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:28 AM |
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anon
where's winter?
Member since 11/05 2209 total posts
Name:
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by dandr10199
I am confused then because I thought that the Ultrascreen was a sono type test. I stand corrected.
I do know that the doctor did ask us if we wanted to take an additional test that involved blood work and if it came back positive we would need an amnio. This is the blood test I told the doctor that I wanted to opt put of. At least I think I did opt out of it. I have had so much blood taken, I really can't remember.
sounds like the test you opted out of is the AFP. my understanding is the ultrascreen = the nuchal fold test (via ultrasound measurements) + blood work (via pricking of the finger).
when people refer to the tripple screen i believe they are referring to the nuchal + blood + AFP. where i get confused is when people reference the quad test - what is the 4th element?
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:30 AM |
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dandr10199
Grace is growing up too fast!
Member since 10/05 11561 total posts
Name:
Dina
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by anon
Posted by dandr10199
I am confused then because I thought that the Ultrascreen was a sono type test. I stand corrected.
I do know that the doctor did ask us if we wanted to take an additional test that involved blood work and if it came back positive we would need an amnio. This is the blood test I told the doctor that I wanted to opt put of. At least I think I did opt out of it. I have had so much blood taken, I really can't remember.
sounds like the test you opted out of is the AFP. my understanding is the ultrascreen = the nuchal fold test (via ultrasound measurements) + blood work (via pricking of the finger).
when people refer to the tripple screen i believe they are referring to the nuchal + blood + AFP. where i get confused is when people reference the quad test - what is the 4th element?
Yes! That is the name of it the AFP test! That is the one I opted out of. Thank you! I thought I was loosing my mind...
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:32 AM |
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preciouslove
I love my DS!!!
Member since 5/05 9340 total posts
Name:
Blank
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Re: Need opionion.....
If you feel comfortable and satisfied with the test results you have then don't take the other ones. The more tests, the more stress. But honestly again it is your own personal decision.
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| Posted 3/24/06 10:41 AM |
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justme1
Proud SAHM
Member since 5/05 1955 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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Re: Need opionion.....
The test I made at 12 is the ultra screen test which is the nuchal sono and the blood test.
I just made the apt the other day at North shore manhasett hospital.
They said it must be done at 12 weeks...
Now you all have me confused.
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| Posted 3/24/06 1:22 PM |
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justme1
Proud SAHM
Member since 5/05 1955 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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Re: Need opionion.....
At What Gestational Age Should Ultra-Screen® Be Performed?
Ultra-Screen® consists of a combination of an ultrasound examination and a blood test performed between 11 weeks 1 day and 13 weeks 6 days of pregnancy. The blood test can be performed as early as 9 weeks 0 days of pregnancy however maximal timing for the ultrasound is when fetus has a crown rump length of 45-84mm.
What Is Ultra-Screen®?
Ultra-Screen® is a First-Trimester prenatal screening protocol designed to provide patient specific risk for Down Syndrome, Trisomy-18 and other chromosomal abnormalities. Ultra-Screen® combines ultrasound measurement of the fluid accumulation behind the neck of the fetus (nuchal translucency) with maternal serum markers and is the earliest and most effective Down Syndrome screen available
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| Posted 3/24/06 1:24 PM |
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MrsJ
I love my Katie Bug
Member since 5/05 11357 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: Need opionion.....
There is the ultrascreen which you had done and then there is the AFP which is only blood work - they prick your finger and out spots of blood on a card and test it.
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| Posted 3/24/06 1:27 PM |
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MrsJ
I love my Katie Bug
Member since 5/05 11357 total posts
Name:
Kathy
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Re: Need opionion.....
A little more info for you re: AFP blood test:
The AFP test is a blood test which is done when a woman is between 16 and 18 weeks pregnant. AFP (alpha-fetoprotein) is a protein which is made by all unborn babies. AFP can be measured in the mother's blood. When there is too much or too little AFP in the mother's blood, it is a signal to the doctor to check the pregnancy more carefully. The AFP screening test identifies women who may be further along, or not as far along, in their pregnancy as they thought. It can also pick up twins and help to identify women who may be at risk of having a premature delivery or a low birth weight baby. The test can also identify women who are carrying a fetus with a neural tube defect, or other severe birth defects such as a kidney or abdominal wall defect.
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| Posted 3/24/06 1:29 PM |
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justme1
Proud SAHM
Member since 5/05 1955 total posts
Name:
Jodi
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by MrsJ
There is the ultrascreen which you had done and then there is the AFP which is only blood work - they prick your finger and out spots of blood on a card and test it.
I didnt have it done yet but I was just showing for anyone confused.. the 12 week test is the nuchal sono and the blood test..
At 16 weeks is the AFP test
ahhhh so many friggin test..lol
Message edited 3/24/2006 1:30:27 PM.
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| Posted 3/24/06 1:29 PM |
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pharmcat2000
Mom of 2 + 1
Member since 10/05 7395 total posts
Name:
Catherine
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Re: Need opionion.....
Posted by anon
Posted by dandr10199
I am confused then because I thought that the Ultrascreen was a sono type test. I stand corrected.
I do know that the doctor did ask us if we wanted to take an additional test that involved blood work and if it came back positive we would need an amnio. This is the blood test I told the doctor that I wanted to opt put of. At least I think I did opt out of it. I have had so much blood taken, I really can't remember.
sounds like the test you opted out of is the AFP. my understanding is the ultrascreen = the nuchal fold test (via ultrasound measurements) + blood work (via pricking of the finger).
when people refer to the tripple screen i believe they are referring to the nuchal + blood + AFP. where i get confused is when people reference the quad test - what is the 4th element?
I thought the triple screen was when they take blood at 16 weeks and test for AFP, neural tube defects and something else (Trisomy 21 I think). It's called a triple screen because they are testing for 3 different abnormalities. I guess the quad screen would be if they were testing for 4 different abnormalities. Many people just call this test the AFP test because that is really what they are looking at to determine risk for Down's. AFP is simply a protein made by the baby which is detected in the mother's blood.
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| Posted 3/25/06 2:34 AM |
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