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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Should I even have the triple test?

35 replies

Longtalljosie · 19/02/2009 08:52

I really didn't think I would ever be the kind of person who would avoid something like this...

But I am due to see the midwife tomorrow and if I'm having the triple test I'll do it then. DH and I have already decided that if the baby has Down's we would keep it... I know that's not the only thing it tests for (triple being a bit of a clue...)

But it's the uncertainty it creates that is putting me off. If it could say, yes/no that would be great. But the idea of them saying "You have higher than average odds" and having to deal with that for the rest of the pregnancy despite the fact that so-called "high" odds are actually low in real life (I mean, 1 in 50 doesn't mean it's likely, but it would be enough to really upset me). And since we would keep the baby regardless, I wouldn't consider having an amnio/CVS because of the miscarriage risk.

I managed to avoid numerical odds with the nuchal because they were just starting to prepare for NHS nuchal screening at our hospital - so were measuring for their own benefit (kind of like testing for assessment) and the sonographer told me it was 1.6mm and very good - and that was good enough for me. But if the bloods come back badly, I won't have any formal nuchal results to compare it to, either. Argh...

DH wants the triple test, I should add, and I feel that the decision is 50% his, so I probably do it. I wish I didn't feel so torn about it though...

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Babieseverywhere · 19/02/2009 09:14

We decided against having the triple in my last pregancy for the reasons you stated. We would not abort a baby if the baby had downs, the risk factor is just that...a risk factor not a certainty and we didn't want to worry if we got a high risk.

I did talk this over with my DH but I wouldn't let his opinion overide mine in matters of pregnancy.

rachels103 · 19/02/2009 09:22

I went with dh's wishes in first pregnancy - he wanted the tests even though it wasn't going to make a difference to us, and I found it caused me more anxiety and uncertainty because it made me think about all the what ifs.
I'm now pregnant again and haven't had any tests (they now offer nuchal test as standard our way too which they didn't with ds1) and I've felt much calmer. I wouldn't abort a downs baby, or have further invasive tests like amnio, so I didn't see the benefit of knowing if there was an increased risk.

Just my personal pov - it has to be your decision.

memoo · 19/02/2009 10:08

We have decided against havinh it. DP and I both agree that even if the baby did have Downs we wouldn't abbort.

Also, I know a friend who had a baby last year at age 36. She was given really high risk from the triple test. Did not have an amnio because of risk of miscarriage.

She spent the whole of her pregnancy sick with worry, baby born last august and is absolutly fine

Nabster · 19/02/2009 10:38

We refused all tests with all our pregnancies. We were having the baby anyway and didn't want any other influences. With our third child there were problems and I agreed to scans only (ie no amnio, nothing risky) purely as we had other children and we needed to prepare. My DH and I agreed on everything but in all honesty I think Mum has to have the final say in this.

chaya5738 · 19/02/2009 10:46

The triple test only tests for Downs' Syndrome. The "triple" refers to the various hormones they test to give an overall picture/prediction as to whether the foetus has Downs.

SJisontheway · 19/02/2009 11:14

If you wouldn't consider a termination and would also not consider an amnio because of the risk then I think give the triple test a miss. It could cause you enormous worry, quite possible unnecissarily. That was the decision I made with my last pregnancy. I just enjoyed it and tried to worry as little as possible. Best of luck with your decision

Mung · 19/02/2009 11:18

I had the triple test and was given a 'high risk'. It worried me sick and I couldn't enjoy the pregnancy. We did have an extra scan to check for 'markers' and were then offered an amnio and I refused it. The experience was all rather unpleasant and they were very matter of fact about it all. I was worried for the whole pregnancy and couldn't relax and enjoy it. My first question after the birth of my DD was @has she got Downs'? It really took over my life.

I dont know if I'd have the test if I were to fall pregnant again...I just cannot decide whether its worth the worry, especially if you are not going to abort a baby with Downs.

I haven't been much help really...sorry.

Nontoxic · 19/02/2009 11:22

I didn't have this test with my 2nd and 3rd pregnancies, having gaily bowled along with the first and had some receptionist from the (private) clinic tell me they recommended amnio.
I spent a tearful weekend then saw my gp who said he thought these tests should be scrapped as they're not accurate, and, as you say, what they consider a high chance is not irl.
I actully felt rather silly having the 20 week scans with the second two, as I knew there was a baby there, and that I would keep it whatever the outcome.
You could point out to your dh that babies are often born without any of the 'abnormalities' they predict, but ultimately I think it's your decision.

LazyLinePainterJane · 19/02/2009 11:24

I decided against the triple as the outcome would not have affected our decision and I don't personally believe that the risk result is actually scientific, simply a risk, that is all. Most of which you can work out for yourself.

IMO, if you very much want to know, you should have proper tests. If not, have nothing.

OrmIrian · 19/02/2009 11:29

"DH and I have already decided that if the baby has Down's we would keep it... "

Well there isn't that much point is there? We chose to have no tests for that very reason. They can't be 100% sure, it only gives you a probability so what is the point. Couldn't resist the scans though and ended getting caught up in all the rigmarole when 20 week scan for DS#2 showed a minor anomaly.

CaptainKarvol · 19/02/2009 11:37

For me, it was all about what I would do next.

So I didn't have any downs tests because I knew that (1) they give risk not a definite answer and (2) I would not take the risk of an amnio. So my results would either say 'worry' or 'don't worry', and either way they could be wrong.

So not a lot of point for me, really.

And I'm 37 weeks now, and haven't thought about it at all for the rest of my pregnancy. Far better for me than worrying.

crokky · 19/02/2009 11:38

in your position, I would not have the test and I would just forget about it. I was in a similar position when pg with DD and I didn't have the test. I did have the 20 week scan (and the earlier scan, although it was not a nuchal) because I felt that if there was something that should be treated in utero it would be worth it.

mrsgboring · 19/02/2009 11:51

It has a high rate of false positives and can also produce false negatives. It isn't a very good test. If you would definitely have no amnio, then I can't see the point of it.

20 week scan is a different kettle of fish - it can detect many things which it's beneficial to know about before birth (my baby has one of these and we know to expect breathing problems etc. so the baby will be managed far better). It can of course fling up all sorts of soft markers, dodgy things, question marks and the like, but IMO it's worth doing for the things that you need to know about and can do something about.

georgimama · 19/02/2009 12:01

I think the answer to whether or not someone has testing is another question: "what do you intend to do with the results?"

As you have stated that you would keep the baby anyway, I can't see any benefit to testing, when it may give you a high risk factor and still the baby is actually fine, or give you a very low risk but still the baby has Down's.

I agree that the baby is also your husband's and he does have a say, but when it comes to a baby in utero I don't think that say is 50/50. You are the one carrying the baby, it is different for you.

iwantitnow · 19/02/2009 12:01

Triple test very inaccurate especialy if you are 35+, in my first pregnancy I was advised not to have it as it would probably be a bad result as I was 36, I wasn't even offered it this time. Nuchal test much better predictor plus 20 week scan. Our area they do nuchal + blood test at the same time and that does give you the most accurate result.

Other than a CVS/amnio none of these tests give you certainty.

CantSleepWontSleep · 19/02/2009 12:06

Absolutely don't have it if you would not go on to have amnio/cvs. What would be the point? Some people say 'for reassurance' but then if it doesn't provide reassurance you are left worried for the rest of your pregnancy.

I felt much the same as you, and so declined both triple tests and nuchals with both of mine.

Whiteybaby · 19/02/2009 13:32

my dh initially said yes to the triple test. We both agreed that we wouldn't abort if results came back poor and I was adamant that I didn't want amnio due to miscarriage chance. It turned out that my dh just initially said yes to test as hadn't really thought about what he would do if results showed problem whereas I had spent ages thinking through each step (typical!). We talked it through and agreed in end it could just cause more worry. My very lovely midwife also pointed out that 20 week scan gives an idea if problems for management purposes as per mrsg experience above. Like you I was worried about over ruling what is effectively 50% his but in our experience he didn't really consider all the outcomes just said yes as it was offerd!

NorthernLurker · 19/02/2009 13:47

I didn't have the triple test because I thought it would cause me more anxiety than reassurance. It seems to me that it doesn't give you any more information than you're likely to get from the standard scans anyway - and at least you know with scans that you are actually getting to know something based on what's actually present, not just on the probability of something being present - iyswim. Whilst you don't wish to have an amnio or cvs now - I've seen a lot of people on here feel pressured to do so after what is termed an 'adverse' result and that is a horrible position to be in.

Regarding your dh - you are right to make this decision together - but - if you are going to worry more if you have the test than he will if you don't have it then your wishes should come first. I hope you can follow that - it's very clear in my head what I mean

shonaspurtle · 19/02/2009 14:00

I think it also depends on what other antenatal screens you're offered. I had the triple test and nuchal fold measurement taken even though dh and I had discussed what we would do with a high result and ruled out amnio.

The clincher for me was the fact that we would not be offered a 20wk scan routinely. I would have received one if my results had come back high-risk. If my baby was at higher risk of heart defects etc, I wanted to know prenatally if possible.

It also depends on what sort of a worrier you are. I very much worry about the unknown, so not having any tests would just have had me fearing the worst, not putting it out of my mind. Obviously, reading the replies above, lots of people feel differently.

lizziemun · 19/02/2009 14:05

I would speak to your midwife about it tomorrow.

I haven't had the triple test with this pg mainly as it my 3rd, i'm 39yrs and it wouldn't affect us having this baby.

But in the area i'm in (bedfordshire) if you don't agree to hsving further tests then they don't do the blood test.

LeninGrad · 19/02/2009 14:18

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lljkk · 19/02/2009 14:40

Why does OP's DH want the triple? But for his 50% vote, I can't see any reason (from OP) why she should have it; very opposite, really.

pinkpip100 · 19/02/2009 14:49

I had the triple test with DS1 without really thinking about it. We were given a 'high risk' result (1:120) but didn't want to have an amnio because of the miscarriage risk, and because we knew we would want to keep the baby whether it had Downs Syndrome or not. I ended up just wishing we had never had the test, as it just created a nagging anxiety which I did manage to put to the back of my mind but was always there.

With DS2 and DC3 (I'm 35 weeks pregnant now) I had no hesitation in refusing the triple test as to me it had no benefit at all. Luckily DH agreed.

I hope you and your DH can come to an agreement on this - my gut feeling from what you say in your post is that you would be a lot more comfortable not having the triple test, but I can understand why you want to take his feelings into account too.

readyfornumber2and3 · 19/02/2009 14:59

I didnt have the triple rest with DS and it wouldnt have changed my mind about having the baby.
This time I am pregnant with twins and cant have the blood test but had a nuchal today and although one twin is higher risk than the other both are out of guideline "danger zones" it has made me feel a little anxious though so I wish I hadnt bothered!!

At the end of the day I know your partner has a say too but why spoil the pregnancy with what ifs?
Have you explained to your DH how you feel?

Hope you can make a decision that suits you both x

georgimama · 19/02/2009 15:02

I think this whole thread sums up my position (for me) which was that as I had no intention of having a termination, there was no point in having the tests.

OP, do you think there is any possibility that your DH wants you to have the test because he might actually be shakey about continuing the pregnancy if your baby did have Down's? If you have triple test and the result is say, 1 in 50, is he going to start lobbying for an amnio?

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