Anyone else chosen not to have NT scan/downs screening?

[Holly94]

Just had my midwife booking in appointment and she went through all my scan options with me.
I chose not to have the nuchal translucency scan or downs screening blood test as I wouldn't have amniocentesis/CVS anyway and I wouldn't choose to terminate so if it came back with high odds I'd just spend the next 28 weeks of my pregnancy worrying sick!

Just wondering if anyone else has refused the downs screening?

It does not just test for downs but other chromosomal abnormalities too such as Pataus and Edwards syndrome which have very poor outcomes.

I has the test which unfortunately for me picked up a fatal condition and I had a termination. I was 29 at the time and not considered high risk but the condition my little girl had was nothing to do with age.

I am still heartbroken about it now as if was a much wanted pregnancy. I really think its important to know all the facts before declining testing.

katiecubs the midwife told me it was just for Downs screening and even if it had come back with high odds I would have refused an amnio anyway - I know the risk of MC is low but I suffer quite badly with anxiety and I think the anxiety would have been too much for me, so I know that no potential issues will be picked up until my anomaly scan. I'm happy with that though, as I know it has saved me worrying about something that really is very unlikely to happen.

katiecubs I am very sorry to hear about your loss :( these sorts of things are terribly unfair.

Thanks Holly - it was horribly sad at the time but I have been fortunate to have two lovely sons since then.

I'm not sure why your midwife would say it is just for downs as that is wrong. Unless for some reason your hospital only disclose the downs results? In London and Brighton where I have has tests i was given risks for Downs, Edwards, Pataus and Turners seperately.

Sorry also meants to add that the others syndromes are very rare and you are right the risk is very small. I have anxiety too and found scans very difficult especially after my first.

I''m sure it doesn't take away the loss of your first baby but how lovely for you to be able to have two boys since then.

I don't know really she only explained it to me as a Downs screening. It's my first pregnancy so I thought she would have told me if there was other things. She didn't seem to be overly brilliant though - looking through my notes and there seems to be a lot of things she missed off :( I had to ask what the blood test was for as she reeled off a load of things I'd never heard of and abbreviations.

The NHS website also only mentions Downs, not anything else. Weird that they don't disclose information about other conditions they test for. How are women to make informed choices?