Down's syndrome screening

[Apple35]

Hi there

Had my 12 week scan today and declined the down's screening but wish I took it now! Did anyone else decline theirs? I just thought what is the point when it wouldn't make a difference to me as I certainly wouldn't for DS.

If you would continue with the pregnancy regardless, then the screening is unnecessary
I think its more to be able to research and prepare. Join support groups, talk to other parents, research development markers etc

It’s untrue because the figures prove it to be untrue. Yes, occasionally, very occasionally people choose not to terminate a pregnancy, but 94% is a very clear indicator that termination is the ultimate decision of the vast, vast majority of people whose results come back positive.

And I’d bet money that the people who say that they just wanted to be prepared actually ended up with a clear result and so never actually had to make that decision.

If someone feels that they cannot or don’t wish to continue with a pregnancy due to detection of a severe disability then that is a very personal choice. But let’s not be disingenuous about wanting to know when the stats very clearly point to the fact the only reason most people want to know is so they can terminate.

The stats prove that the vast majority have an abortion. Not all. So saying that people who want to know are lying if thry say thry wouldn't abort is crap. Please don't assume to know what someone else will do when you have clearly no idea what each individual would do. It isn't everyone's truth.

I think there are probably many parents-to-be who think that they would not terminate under any circumstances but ultimately make a different decision once presented with a definite antenatal diagnosis and corresponding prognosis.

That doesn't make their original position disingenuous. That word implies that they were lying to themselves and to others.

I refused screening with my first pregnancy and she was born with downs. I’m glad I refused because had I known, I think there would have been pressure on me to terminate and I didn’t want to have to make that choice. Good luck with whatever you decide

@bunnypenny an opposite view...
www.conservativewoman.co.uk/laura-keynes-declined-downs-syndrome-screening-tests/

Reading further into the 90% statistic has shown it to be misleading. These statistics were only taken from those who had the invasive tests done to determime a solid yes or no.

Yeah that's quite a bias. I wouldn't have had invasive because I wouldn't have risked a miscarriage because I wouldn't have had an abortion. If I knew I was unlikely to continue a complex pregnancy I'd be much more likely to have the amnio.

I find it sad its as high as it is, there's a N European country that has a 100% abortion rate, not sure if it's for people having general screening or the invasive tho

@SleepingStandingUp
Spoke to my doctor and midwife yesterday. My doc personally believes I done the right thing if I wouldn't act on a positive result. Got my sertraline increased which i know is not ideal when preggers but i need it right now! My mental health needs it!
My midwife is willing to offer me the blood test but even says it is not 100% and just a risk indicator.
I'm a mental health nurse who works in learning disabilities so I see how amazing people with LD and other conditions are. I see the positives in their lives and think they deserve to be in our society too.

Glad your getting the support x