Help- Prenatal testing STRESS

[Winterhopes]

Wonder how people are dealing with the huge number of tests, number, statistics, augh....

My NT u/s was fine, blood work ok with a very low-Papp-A but HCG fairly normal. It gave me a 1/8786 risk of DS and 1/317 of T18/T13. My last p. was terminated due to T18, which makes my number slightly higher than others of my age.

I thought I was pretty much out of the woods for T18/13 and now they're telling me to do the 2nd tri. sequential screen to adjust the numbers. I am so scared that they will get worse. Does anyone know how much they tend to vary?

I don't know if I should just skip it and do the AFP only, and whether doing it or not doing it will lead to even more worry. With T18 and termination, IF, multiple ART treatments, SCHs and now this, it has been so turbulent.

Also, any experience with a good result with low Papp-A is appreciated!

[sharishu]

Stop the madness! I can't stand all these tests. I recommend skipping it. I skipped the NT altogether. WHAT IS THE POINT?? It's all a bunch of needless worrying. That's my two cents. I say, do the blood tests/glucose test which are necessary for determining strep b, gestational diabetes, etc. Those are important, absolutely. But U/S's are inaccurate at best, I don't believing anything is gained by the NT test... I've even heard of amnios coming out wrong (rare, but possible).

Enjoy the pregnancy and don't be pressured by anyone into doing these tests. I learned from experience... needless worry.

All the best!
Shari

[riogirl71]

Maybe I can offer you some peace of mind. With DS, I had very low papp about 10 percentile low. NT measurements were fine. I also had high HCG which then put my odds for Downs at 1 in 107. Of course I was really upset. I do think that if you would terminate the pregnancy in case something was wrong then you should know. These early tests are notorious for false positives. I still like them better than CVS/amnio or more invasive tests. A month later I did the quad test and my results came back normal, I also did the level II US and everything was great. My odds went way down and I chose not to do an amnio. DS is perfect. With this pregnancy I had to skip the AFP because of a vanishing twin. But I did the NT and the quad and the level II US and everything was fine. There is board on baby center, google babycenter poor prenatal diagnostics and there are plenty of girls whose kids are fine but had bad odds. Good luck and I wish you and your baby lots of health!!!!

[riogirl71]

Winterhopes - did you schedule another test? You doing ok?

[hopinginnc]

I hope it all works out for you.
I did do the NT and blood work at 12 weeks. My risk was 1/3420.......
At my 17 week US it was discovered that we had LOTS of problems. The baby had serious heart problems and it was downs.....Strange.
We sadly miscarried at 19 weeks, 2 weeks ago.

Hope you have a better story