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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Am I mad for not having the 16 weeks bloods done - 3rd pregnancy and aged 33?

51 replies

pgwithnumber3 · 26/08/2008 23:03

I didn't with DD1 or DD2 as I find them terrifying, you know, if they came back with high odds of downs etc, I really don't know if I would go ahead with an Amnio (friend's baby died in utero after having amnio),

Am I not the only one to go ahead and not have these tests done?

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belgo · 27/08/2008 08:24

pgwithno3 - I'm 32 and pregnant with my third. I refused the blood tests and the nuchal fold scan, because I know I didn't want an amnio.

I think many people have these tests expecting reassurance, but of course they don't always bring reassurance.

CantSleepWontSleep · 27/08/2008 08:27

I refused them both times, this time being 34/35. Quite common I think.

bagofhammers · 27/08/2008 08:28

I'm pg with my third too. My PCT has just introduced nuchal scans at 12wks, which I've refused. My MW was a bit that I was turning down a free test that last month people were paying £100 for. I would have it if it gave a definite answer without further tests but a high risk would just make me worry and I wouldn't terminate anyway, although I would like to be prepared if the baby did have Downs.

misdee · 27/08/2008 08:29

am younger than you.

all i had done was my bloods, FBC and antibodie screening (i am rh-)

DontlookatmeImshy · 27/08/2008 08:41

No you are not mad.
I didn't have them with ds1 or ds2 ( I was 34 and 36), and I won't have them if we have dc3 (I will be 38/39+) as the results won't make any difference.

lowrib · 27/08/2008 08:47

Just to let you know, the blood test can also show up risk of small for date baby. I was told I had 1 in 18 risk of Downs, I had CVS, and got negative result (no downs).

However, because of the dodgy blood result, they later sent me for a Doppler Scan. The results of that show that one of my arteries in the womb has a 'notch' which means blood flow isn't normal (and it's this which caused the earlier abnormal blood result, not Downs).

As I understand it, the risks are an increased chance of a small for date baby, high blood pressure and pre-eclampsia. They prescribed aspirin to thin my blood and are scanning me every 4 weeks to monitor growth.

If i hadn't had the test, I guess they wouldn't have picked up on this unless/until the baby actually showed physical signs of something being wrong. Instead they have been able to at least try to prevent it, and are monitoring me closely so should hopefully pick up first signs of trouble. I am also taking extra care over blood pressure.

I'm pleased I have the chance to try to do something about it now, and possibly prevent my baby being induced early because Drs think she/he's better out than in, IYSWIM.

Not saying what you should do, just thought you might like to know about this side of the tests.

lowrib · 27/08/2008 08:51

If you really don't want to know about downs, perhaps they test for this anyway and simply don't tell you the Downs risk?

Does anyone know how it works?

jimjamshaslefttheyurt · 27/08/2008 08:54

I had the blood test with ds3, but only to look for anencephaly (which its quite good at picking up). If it had suggested DS or spina bifida we would have requested further detailed scans but would not have had invasive testing. Anenecephaly is very rare though and would be picked up at a 20 week scan anyway.

lizziemun · 27/08/2008 09:11

pgwithnumber3

I'm 38 and when i had dd2 last year when i was 37 because i wouldn't have any other tests done then they won't do bloods at 16weeks.

SlartyBartFast · 27/08/2008 09:25

i didnt at any, third and last at 34. my gp was lovely but obs was surprised.
my body, my baby, my choice

Oliveoil · 27/08/2008 09:29

I didn't have tests with either of mine, aged 32 and 34 at the time

mainly as my friend has blood tests and they told her she was high odds for downs but she didn't want an amnio

so spent 9 months worrying

so as I didn't want an amnio, what was the point of having the tests?

and I wouldn't have had an abortion for downs anyway so all seemed pointless

m/w didn't seem surprised, was quite normal

mrsmalumbas · 27/08/2008 09:43

Not mad, each to their own. A good friend of mine just terminated for Downs. Another had the bloods and then an amnio, now has a lovely healthy baby. It's the luck of the draw. If you wouldn't terminate and don't feel the need to "know" then why have the tests? I know some people think they would like to be prepared but I am not sure you can really "prepare" for something like that anyway. I am 40 but if I fell pg I would not have them done either. Didn't for my last pg either now I come to think of it.

slavemother · 27/08/2008 09:53

No didnt get mine checked. Had 3rd baby 6 months ago at age 35. Didnt want to scare myself. Would not have an amnio so didnt see any point.

giddly · 27/08/2008 09:55

I had DD at 43 and despite knowing the increased risks refused any testing for downs as knew that personally I would not do anything about it. As Mrs M says, each to their own.

tibni · 27/08/2008 10:05

I didn't with either of my dc's.

My youngest, ds 7yrs, has severe ASD and to be honest this has slightly changed my thinking. I have also completed by family so this is theoretical but I would think very hard about what tests I would have. I still know I would never terminate but I think I would like to be prepared - gather information. I would refuse invasive procedures but maybe not bloods.

I didn't get any opposition for refusing the blood tests.

lulumama · 27/08/2008 10:07

pgwithnumber3.. i started a thread in chat for you ! re meeting up

in answer to your question, no, i don; think you are mad, the tests give you an idea of risk, and low risk is not the same as no risk. if you would not proceed to amnio due to high risk, then there is not a lot of point going for the tests. i did have the blood tests, but only from the point of view that if they came back high risk, i would be forewarned of potential problems .

pluto · 27/08/2008 10:13

I didn't for DS1 when I was 29. PG with DC2 now and at 38 I have (somewhat ambivalently)decided to have the bloods but no intention of pursuing with amnio etc if results come back as high risk.

Turniphead1 · 27/08/2008 10:30

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at the poster's request.

zoejeanne · 27/08/2008 10:43

We also decided not to have the test, as like others, we wouldn't have taken any further action. Our m/w admitted she would have done the same - but not until after we'd told her our decision.

Original poster

pgwithnumber3 · 27/08/2008 10:44

lulumama replied on the thread in Chat, thank you for that!

The 20 week scan shows any serious complications doesn't it? Hopefully everything will be okay but tbh, unless my child had an illness that meant it wouldn't survive birth/childhood, I wouldn't abort so you are all right, unless I am willing to have the amnio, there is no point knowing the odds.

Thank you everyone.

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Original poster

pgwithnumber3 · 27/08/2008 10:45

cece I am so sorry to hear that. Hope you are are pregnant very soon.

OP posts:

kitsmummy · 27/08/2008 11:14

I know loads of people, at least half of my friends (and me) who didn't have the Downs bloods done. If you're not going to abort there's no point really, unless you just want to be prepared.

mrsboogie · 27/08/2008 11:30

the only reason to do these tests is if you want want to know in order to do something if you had a high risk/diagnosis. If it wouldn't make any difference to you proceeding with the pregnancy then there's no point. Problems would probably be picked up at scans later on anyway.

Gobbledigook · 27/08/2008 14:04

I agree with MrsBoogie - I didn't have the test done in any of my 3 pregnancies. My 3rd one I was 30.

I didn't have the bloods done because I wouldn't have gone on to have an amnio, never mind make a decision about what to do with the pregnancy.

I just did not want to know - I would rather have 'dealt with', for want of a better phrase, whatever problems arose.

Doesn't the risk sharply rise after at 35?

TheMadHouse · 27/08/2008 14:10

I never had any of the bloods with either of my pregnancies. We were just so glad to be expecting that we made the decision not to test.

We knew that we would just deal with the hand we had been given.

Our children were so hard come by. 4 miscarriages and a twin molar pregnancy.

I can understand people wanting the tests, but then again it is down to choice. I was never pushed by my midwifes.

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