Any over 40s not opted for testing.........

[missytabitha]

This is my second time around and I am 41 years old. I was 40 when had DS1 and due to the fact a lot was going on when found out I was pregnant first time around I didn't have any of the diagnostic tests offered other than the usual two scans at 12 and 20 weeks. DS1 was born (and is!) perfect. This time due to a mixture of things really I have chosen not to have any tests and now 16 weeks. Just wondered if anyone else in my position and done the same? Everyone else I know over 35 has all the tests and says it helps put their minds at rest. I am not overly worried as for me from what I know many of the tests aren't conclusive anyway and as I am a natural worrier I think this would be potentially worse. However, part of me feels madly irresponsible for not having any tests but another part thinks I have made the right decision for me. I really want to know if I am alone in this or others have done the same? Any answers gratefully received from anyone in the same/similar position.

No point in the screening tests, they only tell you what you already know i.e. you have a chance of having a child with an abnormality. I regret giving in to pressure to have screening with dd2 which turned into an amnio and lots of heartache for nothing. I wouldn't have screening again.

Thanks reikizen. That helps. There feels like a lot of pressure to have the tests and thats what I am feeling maybe. As you say I already know my odds of having a child with an abnormality are higher than they were 5-10 years ago and I guess I have chosen to take the risk. Glad things worked out okay for you. Anyone else?

I didn't bother (pg with my 1st term baby at 41) as I thought they'd only tell me that I had a high chance of Downs and I'd already decided I wouldn't terminate for that.

I did have my 20 week abnormality scan but that seems more routine in a lot of ways.

Also I have two friends with children with disabilities, neither of which were neo-natal so I really just thought 'what will be, will be'.

HTH

I had dd at 38 and ds at 43. I had nuchal screening and the routine scans but I refused all other testing. I had a high risk nuchal scan with ds - or what they said was high risk 1:80, I think it was. My thinking was that I would never back a horse at 80:1 so the chances were very high that he would be fine.

I think if you are as certain as you can be that you wouldn't continue a pregnancy if there was a problem then go for testing. If not, not.

Sorry, rambling.

Spice, I guess I am similar. I too have a friend who has a child with SN which couldn't have been picked up during these tests. I also know I wouldn't terminate for Downs. There seems a lot worse problems that a child could have that can't be picked up in these tests, but I am no expert. I am glad I am not the only one though. Good luck with your pregnancy.

Sorry, my post wasn't clear was it? My DS is now 18 months

I think it's actually a really good thing to think carefully about whether you want tests when you're older. I was pretty sure that them telling me my risks were high would have made me more, rather than less, anxious. Good luck with your pregnancy

I'm not over 40 but my midwife gave me some very sound advice (IMO). When I said that we didn't want any tests other than the scans and that some people thought we should, she asked if we would abort if high risks showed up. I said that I wouldn't even have and amnio or CVS due to my history of miscarriage.

Her response/advise was that if we wouldn't carry it further then it is not worth testing and also that there are far more conditions that cannot be tested for.

Thanks everyone you have made me feel better through your comments that I haven't just buried my head in the sand and have made the right decison. We did think carefully about it and I guess I just wanted to know that I wasn't the only one not testing though I am in my peer group in real life. Not that it matters really! Good luck everyone.

I have two sons- one with SN and we found I was pregnant again when i was 40.
I only had the scans because it made my GP happier. Although DS1 was delighted when he came to second scan and the told him babies sex .
I had less checking and testing during that last pregnancy and had virtually no HV or NHS involvment from the moment DD was born.
Without doubt the least stressful preganacy and i have loved every minute of a much less weighed, measured and stressed out baby and toddlerhood.
Its not for everyone but suited us so well