by Michelle C.
Member since:
May 26, 2007

Pregnancy question?

June 20, 2007 08:34 PM UTC
views: 0 | comments: 10

I know there is a test for Down Syndrome and so far as I know of, Down Syndrome doesn't run in my family. Will they still test to see if my child will have Down Syndrome if there are no genetics? I've heard among the Internet that there is an Autism genetic test, during your prenatal visit to see if the child is at-risk of Autism according to genetics. Is there such a test? If so, where can it be found? As for some reason, the ob/gyn nurse asked if MR/Autism ran in the family and I told her both did. What tests are they for disorders? Only the Downs one?

Comments: 10

*Carol ~Bronx Southern Belle Y. Jun 20, 2007, 8:41pm UTC
Like pregnant woman don't worry enough. They always test for this now. What difference does it make? He or she is your baby and we're all praying that your baby and others will be perfect. Now, stop worrying. I know they do these tests now no matter what the history is. I also know of women that get false positives and die a thousand times with worry and the baby is perfectly fine. Happy pregnancy.
Jenna S. Jun 20, 2007, 8:50pm UTC
I agree with Carol unless your family really has a history and it can be something harmful or your over a certain age where risk are higher I would opt for not getting all those extra un needed test and try to relax a bit. I would be worrying alot more waiting for results and wondering then relaxing and enjoying my pregnancy. Extra stress will cause more harm to a baby then necessary. So, honestly I'd just do the mandatory test and talk to your ob about the test that are best for you and your situation.
Dawn S. Jun 20, 2007, 8:50pm UTC
I refused the test for my babies. What would the solution be if the tests came back positive? Nothing. It wouldn't make a difference to me.
Lisa J Jun 20, 2007, 8:50pm UTC
They're just asking to see which pre-screening tests to offer you. In the end, you have to figure out if knowing there are problems will make a difference to you. If the problems are unlikely to make a difference (i.e., make you abort), then you should weigh whether or not to take them.
Michelle C. Jun 20, 2007, 8:50pm UTC
No. I just wanted to know in advance, so I can better prepare myself for this upcoming child. Just incase s/he has special needs, if I knew, I could move to a good school district, etc.
Kathy D. Jun 20, 2007, 10:20pm UTC
I went through this same agony when I was pregnant with Madeline. I ended up getting the quad screen blood test, which ended up normal. If it didn't end up normal, I probably would have gotten an amnio.
Janet H. Jun 21, 2007, 12:41am UTC
I have never heard of a test for autism. It is hard enough to diagnose even after birth. I have a 3 year old grandson with autism and his twin sister is normal. My oldest child was mentally retarded for unknown reasons, so a test for Down's Syndrome wouldn't have told me that. I refused the testing anyway on all 6 of my pregnancies. My child who was mentally retarded was declared healthy and normal at birth--and diagnosed as retarded (IQ 38) at 3 years of age. She works full-time and helps so much at home and is a very happy and healthy person, now 39 years old on July 1st. I have 2 daughters who are bipolar and that can't be diagnosed before birth at all. When you have a child, you just take what you get and help the child reach his/her potential. Fortunately, most children are normal.
MaLissa C. Jul 12, 2007, 1:12pm UTC
With all 3 of mine, my OB did what's called a 'Triple Test'. They just draw some blood from your arm and send it to the lab. With my first child (my son), the test came back not-normal, so they did an ultrasound and found out he had Gastroscheesis. His intestines were on the outside of his tummy. He had to have 3 surgeries to put them back in their correct spot (inside), but is a normal-healthy and very active 3 year old now!
MaLissa C. Jul 12, 2007, 1:12pm UTC
I wouldn't worry too much about it since neither run in your family though.
Good luck!
Dave A. Sep 5, 2008, 9:14am UTC
The prevalence of Down Syndrome increases dramatically with the age of the mother.

The national prevalence for all ages is 9.2 per 10,000 births. For mothers between 35 and 39 years old it is over 20 per 10,000. Age 40 or over, nearly 80 per 10,000. The condition can be identified by amniocentesis testing. There is risk associated with this test. Here's a "patient's guide."

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000815/837ph.html

...and a more detailed article. Scroll down and take a look at figures 1 and 2.

http://www.aafp.org/afp/20000815/825.html

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