Re: Second appt.....and AFP testing-----> C

[Guest guest]

-Hi ,

Congrats on your appt! It is so cool when we are able to hear the

heartbeat, and reassuring too...

I will put in my two cents - I elected to have the nuchal lucency

ultrasound, which screens the same way as AFP testing. They measure

the fat layer around the baby's neck. I saw a geneticist to go over

the results - and basically, he recommended I not do AFP after. Not

only is it redundant because the u/s is so accurate, but because of

all the false positives.

With the normal nuchal u/s, my chances of having a baby with a

genetic defect like downs, spina bifida etc...went from 1/350 to

1/3500. So, with a risk so low, I do not need to go ahead with more

invasive blood work, or with amnio, whose risks of procedure run in

the 1/200 range.

You must do what is right for you and your family. I know going

through testing is a hotbed of debate, but if it is right for you,

then it is right for you...I just wanted to tell you about another

option for peace of mind. You need to have the u/s between 11-15

weeks if you want to look into it.

All the best to you, ,

EDC Nov 10

-- In OSSG-pregnant , " " wrote:

> Hi everyone! I just wanted to post that I had my second OB

appointment today, and everything is great!

> I'm 13 weeks, in second trimester, no problems, and got to hear

the baby's heartbeat on the doppler today. That was awesome! Just as

great as the ultrasound. Anyways, heartbeat is strong and doc says

the baby is REALLY active in there, he was actually laughing about

it, saying I could have a little monster on my hands come about age

2, LOL!

> Hubby couldn't be there today because of work conflict, but will

go to my next appt.

> Next appt. I am to have the AFP test done to find Down's, etc. I

am a little conflicted on this, I have read about so many false

positives, but also am thinking if it's a false positive, they can

then do amnio to be certain, and then put my mind to rest, so to

speak.

> Anyone have any special thoughts or feelings about this test?

Hubby kind of feels like we shouldn't have it, we get what we get

and will love it no matter what (which is DEFINITELY true), but I

also feel like if it does show Down's, etc. we would have that much

more time to prepare mentally, physically, monetarily and

emotionally for the challenge ahead. It wouldn't change the outcome

no matter what, but I think extra time to prep for something like

that would be better than finding out on the fly, you know?

> Any thoughts and opinions are welcome!

>

> C.

> WLS 8/28/02

> EDD 12/31/04

>

>