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BrianBaby

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 1383
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Posted: 02-10-05 15:37pm

On monday when I went to the Dr. They gave me a slip to go to the hospital to get that one test where they test for down syndrome....What kind of test is it and what do they do?? I can't go yet, because it's still too early, but I forgot the date they told me to go! I have to call back and find out, but noones anwering...Blah....I forget if they told me an exact date, or just by a certian time....
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Princess385

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Dec 2004
Posts: 407
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: 02-10-05 15:42pm

Did you have the blood test one done? If it's not the one where they just draw blood, if it's the one where they go into the placenta to check? Then they use a really long needle to do this with and I believe they take the fluid and test that. I'm not really sure. You do have a chance of miscarriage witht his though. :( a friend of ours was 6 months pregnant and had that test done and she ended up losing the baby a few weeks later. I'd personally never have it done, but then that's a personal choice. To me it woudln't matter to me if my child had some disorder or not, simply because I wouldn't abort because of it!!
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BrianBaby

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 1383

Posted: 02-10-05 15:45pm

I think it's just the blood test one....I hope so!
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Princess385

Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 03 Dec 2004
Posts: 407
Location: Wisconsin

Posted: 02-10-05 15:47pm

Yeah then they just take blood like they would any other time. :) I didn't even have that one done, but was explained it. :) they didn't explain it to you at all???
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BrianBaby

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 1383

Posted: 02-10-05 15:54pm

Well I don't get it done at the Dr. I have to go to the hospital to get bloodwork done....They told me when to go, but my health question forgot when they told me, so....
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MissChicopea

New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 21
Location: Allston, MA

Posted: 02-10-05 15:59pm

It all depends on what test they were recommending. There are several that check for down syndrome. They include:

maternal serum screening:
when- between 15 and 20 weeks, ideally 16 to 18 weeks.
Purpose- also called triple screen or multiple marker, this checks your levels of alpha fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadoptropin and estriol. These three tests along with the mother's age are used to estimate the possible risk of down syndrome and neural tube defects.
Method- blood drawn
note- false positives are common. Only 1 or 2 women in 100 who have abnormal levels will actually be carrying a baby with down syndrome.

Amniocentesis:
when-betwen 15 and 20 weeks
purpose- to detect down syndrome, neural tube defects and a number of genetic and chomosomal disorders. Also confirms baby's gender.
Method- a long, thin needle is guided through the abdomen with the help of ultrasound. A small sample of amniotic fluid is then removed and tested.
Note- between 1 in 200 amniocentesis procedures may result in miscarriage.

Chorionic villus sampling:
when - between 10 and 12 weeks
purpose - to detect chromosomal disorders, such as down syndrome.
Method - a sample of chorionic villi the tiny fingerlike tissues of the placenta is obtained in either two ways: through a tube inserted into the vagina and cervix or a needle guided into the abdomne with the help of an ultrasound.
Note- 1 in 100 women may suffer a miscarriage that would otherwise not occur. There is also a very rare chance of limb abnormalities, particularly if the test is performed earlier than ten weeks gestation.

Source: healthy pregnancy fall/winter 2005 pgs 29-33

pardon any typing errors.
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BrianBaby

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 1383

Posted: 02-10-05 16:20pm

Oh ya, they told me it was completely optional :)
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l2at24

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 06 Nov 2004
Posts: 1509

Posted: 02-10-05 16:26pm

Yes, it's optional and I opted not to have it. The test is done so you have the option to abort if something is wrong and also some prep at the birth if something is wrong, if applicable. There really isn't much prep they can/will do so I didn't do it. No sense in me worrying about that the whole time if baby did have downs or anything else. But some women may deal better if they know ahead of time. They def wouldn't give you an amnio. That's most common for moms over 35.
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jessamyn

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Joined: 18 Aug 2004
Posts: 4116
Location: San Diego, CA
Thanks: 11
Thanked:3

Posted: 02-11-05 05:51am

They just draw blood its quick easy and painless!
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BrianBaby

Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 19 Jan 2005
Posts: 1383

Posted: 02-11-05 08:03am

Good thing...
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