Hi lis ann, take heart in knowing that t...

Debi - March 31st, 2006 11:45 PM
[Original Comment]

Hi lis ann, take heart in knowing that these screens are very likely to be wrong. I was 34 when I conceived in May (2005) and 35 when I delivered 2-8-06. Also a mother of 3, I took for granted too that my results would be fine, until I got the phone call that the doctor needed to see me in the office ASAP. Well, knowing that the quad screen was the only test that was pending, I knew it was bad. He told me that my test came back as my baby having a 1:47 chance of having Trisomy 18, which is really bad. If the baby should survive the pregnancy they will most likely die within hours or days of birth. Having buried a son, 5 years ago, when he was only 5 months old (born big, beautiful and healthy-full term) there was no way I could do it again, which is what I told my doctor and even he told me that they would recommend terminating the pregnancy should the amnio come back positive. I am pro-choice, although it's never been my choice, I do believe especially in medical situations or rape it is appropriate- but not to get into all that, just want you to know that I would have terminated , even after having a m/c just prior to this pregnancy. We met with a genetic counseler and had the amnio done right away. Within 2 days they can give you the preliminary results, which are like 95% accurate to what the final results will be. The amnio is not a big deal, especially since you have had children before so it should just be a little uncomfortable, you already know about being poked and proded. An interesting fact that I learned about the quad screen is that if you are overwieght it tends to come back with a higher instance of "false positives". Anyway, my results were fine, I found out that we were having our 3rd girl and she was good, the best news. She is now 7 weeks old. I have to tell you that finding out that my results were positive for the T18 rather then T21 (DS) my decision to terminate was much easier. With T18, it is very black and white, the baby will die if not miscarried before birth. With DS for me it would have been a much harder decision. I don't know what you and your husband would plan to do (I don't want to presume that you have thought of termination- sorry if I offended you) But I would have had to think about my other girls and wonder if it was fair to them that they would have to take on the responsability once my husband and I are gone. I wish you luck and next week I hope that you are back on here saying that everything is great. Take care, if you need to talk, we're here.(fingers crossed)


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