Screening for Downs, Edwards and Patau’s

[SLC91]

Hello! I am after some advice, I am terrified of needles and managed to brave myself to have my first blood test, however I have my first scan on Wednesday for my first baby and I am so worried about having the screening blood test as well as worried about what the results might bring! Does anyone have any advice regarding having the test, the reliability of it and any one else feeling similar to me about the test and needles? Any help would be great!!

It's entirely your decision if you want to have the test done. The team at your maternity unit won't put any pressure on you to have this and many women choose not to have this done.

The results you get from this too only give you a high risk/low risk result for the conditions, but a high risk result doesn't necessarily mean your baby does have these conditions. Further testing can be done to get a more definitive answer if you do get a high risk result, but I'm not 100% sure what it entails.

I personally chose to have mine done but having blood tests and etc don't bother me too much and for some reason I never worried about the results (which is probably one of the very few things I've worried about this pregnancy so far! ).

I think it comes down to personal choice really. Do what you feel is best for you x

I have the same fears about the screening but what will be will be right?!
Also needle wise, I HATE them. I always tell them that, I always tell them not to say "sharp scratch" to me either and to just do it. I would recommend trying this as they normally then use a smaller needle and you're then not expecting the needle to go in x

I had these tests today! PP describes it well; it's absolutely up to you and nobody will force you. The combined screening is a risk factor which they arrive at via a combination of your age, the measurement at the back of baby's neck, and the blood test results. To get a firm yes/no answer you'd need an amnio, but this will only be offered by the NHS if your earlier tests come back as high risk.

It was fine for me, not very pleasant but over in a matter of seconds. I have a small bruise on my arm now but expect it to be gone within days. And my results have already been uploaded to the Maternity Notes app, which I thought was brilliant. Luckily quite low risk so I won't be testing further unless something comes up later on. I feel happy I went ahead with the screening and much reassured by the results.

If you're concerned with the possible outcome (I definitely was), I'd just use this as an opportunity to practice your deep breathing that will be helpful in labour!

I wanted to know the results purely so I could do proper research if the odds were high. Besides that the test doesn't do much.

It's about weighing that against your fear of needles ;)

@Lottie917 thank you so much for this! I am trying to be a bit more braver as I’m going to need to be 😝

@JTB123 yeah you are completely right! I use Emla cream on my arm and normally take like a little fidget cube as well as telling them don’t speak to me, just do it, I’m going to close my eyes and cry but just get it over with haha! The last one I had was fine but it’s working myself up before and then with the results is worrying

@elfran ah wow!! Well done and so pleased that it went well!! I didn’t realise there was an app with the results as that is what concerns me the delay is waiting to find out and not knowing for so long after working myself up to have the injection! Yes that’s exactly it! I keep thinking have it done now and build up your tolerance level for things that make you feel uncomfortable ha.

@grey12 that’s exactly it! My partner is being really supportive and is like don’t have it as you don’t like needles and I don’t want you to worry but like I said to him I feel I will worry about it for the rest of my pregnancy so that surely weighs up having it done!! It’s just trying to have a talk to myself about the fact it will be over and done with in seconds!! ☺️

I chose not to have the test as we weighed up all options for our personal circumstances.
Both my partner and I chose not to have the tests as the results wouldn't have changed our decisions to continue the pregnancy or not.
I.e if our child had these conditions we'd love her the same and adapt our lives around her additional needs. She would have been loved with these conditions or not :)
I feel that personally if we'd have known we would have spent a large majority of our pregnancy journey worrying too much.

Have a sit with your partner and maybe draw up a pros and cons list, & weight up the options for your own personal situation. Unfortunately no one can make the decision for you other than yourself and your partner.

I also have a massive phobia of needles myself although this didn't have any influence in our decision.

I gave birth to my little girl on Friday morning and was in total control of everything to do with my birth. I explained to everyone involved in my care about my phobia and everyone was very understanding and adapted and adjusted my experience to this.

I know it's easier said than done but try not to think of the needles and concentrate on the beautiful bundle of joy you're going to be holding in the next few months! ♥️😘

@n3wmum20 thank you so much for that and massive congratulations!!!! It’s very reassuring to hear about your birth as I have been so open with my midwife about my fear and she said to continue being that honest and open with anyone who cares for me later so I really appreciate that advice and will remember that when it’s my time ☺️

I think we will have a further chat tomorrow night about it as I think tonight he is in a yes do whatever you want mood and I don’t need that!

Thanks so much again and enjoy your daughter! ❤️❤️

@SLC91 Thankyou! 💕
Good luck with your pregnancy & try not too worry too much, make the most of your time with your partner & get lots of rest!

honestly - best way to get better with needles is to have a baby!

you wont give a shit about them once your in labour, you will demand needles to stop the pain. I had a needle in my vagina

i had needles, still do but i dont care as much now after 2

as for the test - i also turned it down, if my children had down's or anything else "different", it would not have made me think about ending the pregnancy

best of luck op!

I have a very severe needle phobia, so pregnancy is very difficult for me. I had my booking bloods done and was able to have my DH with me. Due to my phobia it is always done by a phlebotomist and with a butterfly needle. I would ask for both of those things in your case.

Hi OP. I wouldn't worry too much. They told my aunty that baby was a 1 in 5 chance of having DS but she came out without it. I don't like getting bloods taken from my arm particularly because I'm hard to get blood from so they have to stab me a bunch. If it helps I ask the midwives to put a butterfly needle in my hand, virtually painless and easy to get blood from. Remember to drink lots of fluids aswell that will help. Hope you feel better soon OP.

I’ve had so many bloods and injections now (O negative so anti D twice, quad test repeated twice, gestational diabetes repeated twice, whooping cough, along with regular screening bloods!) I’ve lost most of my needle fear. I just tell myself it’s worth it and I’ve got more painful things to come! Hopefully it will cure your fear too.

@n3wmum20 Thank you so much!

@carly2803 Thank i really appreciate it!

@FilthyforFirth Yeah i have the same!! But not allowed my partner with me so braved it at my midwife appointment! I will ask for that when i go tomorrow! Thank you!

@bedjolly Ah that is really reassuring thank you! I think its good to hear others stories as it helps me and gives me something to think about!! I have been downing water since first thing this morning - appointment isnt until tomorrow afternoon to get as much fluid's in me!!

@Hatscats oh wow!! That is a lot!! I am hoping it will cure mine too!! Thats the exact same way i am thinking like this is just a small step to on the journey to have my own baby!!

I am excited about tomorrow too as i feel like it will then actually feel real!! And I am trying to focus on that as much as i can :)

I have a bloods appointment tomorrow afternoon for 28 week checkup. the joys

You can decline these tests and it's totally up to you. We declined these tests (not for a needle phobia) as I wouldn't have an amniocentesis or termination if the results came back abnormal. The midwives said you can get false positives or negatives.
There's a lot of information regarding these test available, I got quite a lot of written information from my midwife re these conditions and the testing process. Have a discussion with your husband.
In pregnancy you have a few blood tests and may need a cannula when you give birth. Have a discussion with your midwife re procedures with people with a needle phobia ie using numbing creams etc.
Congratulations on your pregnancy 😊

@bedjolly mine bloods and first scan is at 4pm tomorrow!! :)

@Metallicalover Thank you so much for this! I use Emla cream before i have any injections or before the blood test the other week so will do the same tomorrow!! I do feel the same like i wouldnt go through with the termination or anything but i am a natural worrier so i feel i am probably better to know rather than have uncertainty as thats one of my biggest struggles!

Definitely going to speak about my birth plan, my midwife is very aware of my fear of needles after crying to her about it in my appointment :P

So exciting!! Mines at 3:30 it was supposed to be 4pm but she said it was taken.

Hi all! Have had my first scan today and after speaking with my partner we decided against having the screening test as we wouldn’t have any further tests!! Was a really incredible experience, baby extremely fidgety, had a little yawn as well, kept wiggling around but got a couple of beautiful pictures!! Thank you for all your advice!! Baby is due on the 15th February!

I think you have to face your fear. When you have your baby you will 99% chance have a cannula in your vein. I'm afraid this is a thick needle that guides a small plastic tube into your vein so they can give you life saving medications or blood transfusion if need be. It's also required if you want an epidural so they can give you IV fluids to maintain your blood pressure. So please don't sweat the small stuff. If you don't face your fear with minor blood tests it will be quite a challenge facing next steps x

Glad your scan went well OP! Hope you have a lovely pregnancy! X

@ChatWithMe I am facing my fears by having my first blood test with my midwife a couple of weeks ago but as this is a personal choice to have this screening test there is no reason for me to put myself through the stress and anxiety for something that isn’t a necessity and was a decision made by me and my partner like other comments have highlighted to me which has helped, whereas I did have it for my first bloods as it was for the sake of the baby. I really don’t need to be told about the needles and injections or size of needles for when I have the baby as I am fully aware of this and as I have had advice from others and spoken to my midwife I can express what I am and am not happy with. With underlying anxiety I am handling this whole process really calmly and I am proud of the steps I have taken so far, so thanks for the advice but I think I’m fine!

@Metallicalover thank you so much!! Really exciting times ahead!!! ☺️ x