AIBU to get all the chromosomal tests done?

[firsttimemumggg]

10 weeks, first time pregnancy. I'm anxious about the health of the baby. Would I be crazy to spend £600-1200 getting tests done for chromosome disorders like Prader Willi and Jacobsen. Lots more that I haven't heard about.

For reference we all seem healthy in my family, no health concerns.

The tests the NHS do would cost about £400

It depends I suppose what you would do with the information. A negative result would make you feel reassured about those things but it won't tell you everything. Have you talked your feelings through with your midwife?

Yes you would be unreasonable to get all those tests but it is your money and piece of mind nobody on the Internet will put your mind at rest.

If you can afford it, and it would put your mind at rest, and you know it’s not an iron clad guarantee of a physically and mentally healthy child; why not? Your choice.

I've not seen him yet yet

YANBU, we did the same for our first (DD now 3 months)

money well spent, even though I was super low risk. Plus we got to find out the sex at 10 weeks

Do you know which test you choose and where?

I've been given an option of five testers/providers and multiple tests

I did the harmony test and then an extended chromosomal one (can’t remember the name) but I ordered that test from the same clinic.

I used ultrasound direct they had testing packages along side additional scans etc.

Do they cover all off them because their are loads of them ,including chromosome deletion,s ,duplication,s translocation ,s etc?
my child has a rare chromosome disorder and even if you do find do.etching ,you don't know how it's going to.affect them until they start developing,my son is severely affected it here are other people with the same or similar ,disorder so are largely unaffected .

They cover what they cover.... which will give me results that I don't currently have.

So no I'm sure they don't cover all....

Having these sorts of tests can lead to absolute heartache and a rabbit hole of worry. Please discuss with your HCPs and listen to their advice. Each situation is individual. Businesses that sell tests are exactly that: businesses. If your medically qualified team feel you need further tests they’ll counsel you appropriately and do the tests on the NHS with the appropriate follow up care.

If you are suffering with anxiety do also discuss with your GP and midwife, it can escalate in pregnancy.

The care in the uk is very basis....

I'm not seeing any until 10 weeks :(

I also didn't know I needed higher folic acid due to my bmi. It's terrible.

Tbh I think you need help with anxiety and stress rather than tests. What would you do if any of these tests came Back positive? There are many many syndromes that would not be picked up. Why would you want to see a midwife before 10 weeks?

I didn't say I wanted to see a midwife before 10 weeks. I stated that's the first time I'm in contact with any health professional for my pregnancy.

If you have the money I would absolutly do it! At the end of the day the earlier you explore as many options as possible the better.
I wanted the harmony as I wanted to avoid terminating later if I had to.

Gently, I agree with this. I think you really have to consider how you'd react to unexpected news. You won't know exactly what baby is like or how she/he is affected by anything until way beyond birth, so these tests can only give you limited information really.

Unless you need extra support or have a problem, you really don't need to see a healthcare professional before 12 weeks. You're expected to do that early research yourself, about folic acid, diet restrictions etc.

You can ask to speak to your GP and any consultants you are under before you see the midwives for the booking in.

That's what I did last year for my first pregnancy. I spoke to GP before TTC to check my medication and change where needed and I also spoke to each of my consultants about my meds. I did so again after the positive test.

You can also speak to your GP about anxiety. It's very common to have anxiety in pregnancy, it's a big change to process.

I just had the usual blood test at 12 weeks that checked for Down’s, Edward’s and Patau’s. I knew I was incredibly low risk due to my age (20s) but I had the test anyway. Baby is fine! Do you have any risk factors (e.g. age) that increase the risk of chromosomal disorders?

Hi OP.

Absolutely not unreasonable at all.
Some European countries (even poorer ones than the UK) have many more tests as standard.

@Valour I'm supposed to do my own research? Am I a doctor or health care professional?

Do you know that in other countries pregnant women are given much more pregnancy support.

There is no nhs literature provided that says I should be taking extra folic acid due to my bmi and neither when I self referred to the hospital for this pregnancy.

Absolutely awful that you accept basic treatment for pregnancy.

My age.

I've just called my GP and they said it's a 4 weeks wait..... would be same day if need urgent care or two weeks if I had any mental health symptoms where I would harm myself etc.

Sooooooo all I can do is wait until booking appointment. Will I actually be able to speak to anyone there?

YANBU

Age was a risk factor for me along with several miscarriages due to chromosomal issues. I got the Panorama test done at 11 weeks and while I know it didn’t cover everything it did give me reassurance.

If you want it and can afford it then get it done.

In fact you do t have to use the nhs at all, you could go private, that might suit your needs more..