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Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

Original poster

Did anyone opt out of the first trimester screening tests? (Downs, Edwards etc)

47 replies

heybabes · 10/05/2021 15:04

I had my booking appointment last week (I'm around 10 weeks pregnant) and decided that I would opt out of the screening tests usually given at the 12 week scan for Downs, Edwards and Patau syndromes.

The midwife indicated that some people opt in, some don't. I suffer from a lot of anxiety so I thought I would worry unnecessarily whatever the results were so thought I would opt out. The midwife said I was the lowest risk you could get anyway - I'm 29 and have no health concerns (that I know of).

Since I've made that decision though I'm now worried that I should have had them anyway and am I just being stupid by not? I'm still having a scan at 12 weeks just not the blood tests. Has anyone else chosen to do the same or am I being crazy?

OP posts:
BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz · 10/05/2021 15:05

I opted out for dc1 as it felt (to me and Dh), irrelevant as we would continue the pregnancy regardless, at least until the 20 week scan.

With dc2 we took all the tests available, as we wanted to make sure as much as possible that dc1s life wouldnt be massively impacted forever.

kalikkma · 10/05/2021 15:15

I opted out despite being late 30's. We would not have ended a pregnancy unless a life threatening condition was identified. Bloods would likely indicate a reasonable level of risk due to my age, but I wouldn't have wanted a diagnostic test to confirm unless there were serious abnormalities on scan. Decided we would go straight to diagnostic testing (amino) if scans suggested a problem and declined the blood based screening. All was well.

21Flora · 10/05/2021 15:19

We opted out because the outcome wouldn’t have made a difference to us.

AnxietyMumEpi · 10/05/2021 15:22

I opted out because the results wouldn't of made a difference. In hindsight I should have absolutely done it because we would of been able to prepare for any complications that it showed.

romdowa · 10/05/2021 15:31

We opted out as I had seen so many people worry and stress about the results and then go on to get further testing and it all turns out fine. I couldn't handle that stress and even if I got a positive result I'd have continued on anyway. Midwife booked me in for it anyway incase I changed my mind but on the day we declined, which the consultant seemed surprised about and did offer for me to go back and have it done but i just declined again.

Moules · 10/05/2021 15:35

We opted out for the reasons others have given. You can't change those types of diagnoses (it's not like something you can operate on in utero like spina bifida) and as we would absolutely have continued with the pregnancy in any event then I didn't personally feel the diagnosis would be helpful.

I should say that my midwife made me feel quite pressured to have the tests. As it was my first appointment, I felt a bit embarrassed to keep insisting that I didn't want them, given that I was only just starting to get to grips with the whole process and lingo of pregnancy (I'd already had a mc so was feeling a bit sensitive in any event). Glad to hear that others have not apparently encountered the same difficulties.

listentotherainonthewindowpane · 10/05/2021 15:37

I opted out of downs (not heard of the other two) despite being 40. Small risk of miscarriage it wouldn't have changed anything for us.

Moominmiss · 10/05/2021 15:38

I opted out of the nhs screening tests, but due to my age opted to have a NIPT test instead due to it being more accurate.

randomsabreuse · 10/05/2021 15:39

I didn't because I wanted to make sure the baby had the best chance if there was something that needed treatment/support following birth.

Say a Downs' diagnosis was combined with heart issues (relatively common) better to be in a big hospital with paediatrics present than at the local MLU and need an ambulance transfer to the local NICU if there are issues.

DramaAlpaca · 10/05/2021 15:45

I opted out because there was no way I'd not continue the pregnancy, and also because the testing caused me anxiety.

I had my children between the ages of 29 & 33. I had the tests with DS1 and it caused me great anxiety even though they came back clear, and I regretted having them done.

When it came to DS2 I opted out, and with DS3 the midwife just said she assumed I wouldn't want to have them and I agreed. I had all my scans as normal.

All was well in all three pregnancies.

Twizbe · 10/05/2021 15:47

I feel like you're in a catch 22. You don't want the tests as you'll worry about the results, but now your worried about not having the tests.

Have you spoken to your midwife about your anxiety? Pregnancy can make anxiety a lot worse and there is lots of support out there for maternal mental health.

FWIW I had the tests done and was low chance. I wouldn't have continued with a pregnancy if they'd tested positive for one of the conditions.

shivawn · 10/05/2021 16:13

I had the Harmony test done, for me it had the opposite effect of giving me anxiety, actually really gave me a lot of reassurance and peace of mind. Had the added benefit of being able to find out the sex early too which I really liked.

notinthestarsigns · 10/05/2021 16:37

I opted out in my first pregnancy and so I completely understand your reasons for doing so. The only thing I would advise is to be aware that you will still be informed if there is anything that shows up on the scan. I was referred to fetal medicine after my 12 week scan due to a high NT measurement. I was not prepared for this at the time as hadn’t been aware that potential problems would still be flagged up without having the screening. I had opted out of the screening because I didn’t want to find out there were risks and end up in limbo, but I found myself there anyway! Unfortunately my baby had patau syndrome and his heart stopped beating just before 20 weeks. I am now pregnant again and I chose to have the testing in this pregnancy as my worries are such that I feel I need to know everything that I can.

SleepingStandingUp · 10/05/2021 16:39

Will the results affect you continuing with the pregnancy? If you find out at the 20 week scan they suspect Down Syndrome or Edwards etc will you then be having a later abortion than if you found out now?

Otherwise it's fine, my sister opted out. They still look for anomalies at the 20 week scan in particular so they'd still pick up anything physical that might need assistance at birth

3JsMa · 10/05/2021 16:43

I opted out with both pregnancies,it won't make any difference to me and I won't have termination anyway.

OldFirstTimeMum · 10/05/2021 16:47

I'm 39 weeks pregnant and in my 40s. I opted out because it would not make a jot of difference to me - I would never terminate my pregnancy. I want to be excited for this baby whatever we might face and take things a day at a time.

Babyboomtastic · 10/05/2021 17:06

I opted out because I wouldn't terminate for the conditions they test for anyway.

If I have another child,I probably would get the testing, because although I wouldn't terminate for Downs Syndrome,I would need to think very carefully about it for Edwards/Patau, as to the impact that having a baby that would die at birth or within a few days/weeks (usually, I know there are exceptions) would have on my other children, who would be old enough to find it distressing.

Bbq1 · 10/05/2021 17:45

Yes, we opted out as termination wouldn't have been an option for us, we would have continued the pregnancy regardless. Plus, the amnio runs a risk of miscarriage. My ds was born healthy with no issues and is 15 now.

Squibble84 · 10/05/2021 18:29

I guess it depends on whether you’d continue regardless. If there is an issue, you’d likely find out at the 20 week scan where it might be more difficult to make a decision as you’re much further in.

Our first baby had Patau syndrome and so I would always choose to have testing done for any chromosomal abnormalities.

sarah13xx · 10/05/2021 18:57

Not sure where in the country you are but I opted in and it was just a measurement from the scan. The NHS now has the harmony test so could have offered that after getting the measurements if there was any increased risk. I’m a very anxious person too but for me I think I’d presume the worst if I didn’t get the checks done to rule it out (or as best as they can). It’s totally personal preference though and is a very very low chance anyway

ER20 · 10/05/2021 21:47

We opted out as termination would never be an option for us. Midwife didn’t question our decision.

Rosieposy89 · 10/05/2021 22:11

I wanted the combined screening as I would terminate for Edward's/Patau's. However I couldn't have it as baby wouldn't cooperate during scans for measurements. I declined quad screening as there is no chance I would terminate a DS pregnancy as it's not severely life limiting. It did make me more anxious for my 20 week scan the fact I had no idea.

Aprilwasverywet · 10/05/2021 22:13

I opted out at 42!! Though after the scan she told me the DS markers were fine...
Wasn't my first dc but didn't feel any need to be pre warned of any issues..

ForkedIt · 10/05/2021 22:16

I have had it in both of my pregnancies. Number 1 I had it ‘just because’ and came back as high risk for DS. We did no further testing but it was useful to have it in the back of our minds as a possibility.
I’ve had the screening in this pregnancy again and I’m not officially high risk, but I’m not as low risk as others (1in 250). I do have low Papp-a this time though, for which I’ve been prescribed aspirin. Wouldn’t have known if I hadn’t had the screening. I like to know facts and figures so I like to have the screening but some people would prefer

ForkedIt · 10/05/2021 22:16

Oh fuck. Posted too soon. Sure you get the gist.