Guest guest Posted February 12, 2003 Report Share Posted February 12, 2003 Hi Debbie, I am 18 months post op and 6 months pregnant. 2 months ago, I took a blood test, the alpha-fetoprotein which screens for abnormalities like Downs and severe retardation...etc. My OB said I should have it done as a precaution since I am 35 years old. He also told me in his exact words, to " Expect a call saying you have positive markers for an abnormality " . He went on to explain it is a very unreliable test and there is a whopping 60% false-positive ratio, but that it is all they have available which tells them if there is a need for an amnio. I still panicked, although I have two healthy children. My husband and I got even more upset when we had to meet with the genetic counselor before the amnio. She basically was just doing her job, but she gave us all worst case scenarios and I was starting to get depressed. I had to wait for the amnio results for 2 weeks and was finally told that everything was PERFECT!!! Since then I have heard so many stories like mine, so please reassure her that although she was screened as high risk, the odds are still way in her favor. (if that makes any sense...lol) Warm Regards, Nahla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 12, 2003 Report Share Posted February 12, 2003 Hi Debbie, I am 18 months post op and 6 months pregnant. 2 months ago, I took a blood test, the alpha-fetoprotein which screens for abnormalities like Downs and severe retardation...etc. My OB said I should have it done as a precaution since I am 35 years old. He also told me in his exact words, to " Expect a call saying you have positive markers for an abnormality " . He went on to explain it is a very unreliable test and there is a whopping 60% false-positive ratio, but that it is all they have available which tells them if there is a need for an amnio. I still panicked, although I have two healthy children. My husband and I got even more upset when we had to meet with the genetic counselor before the amnio. She basically was just doing her job, but she gave us all worst case scenarios and I was starting to get depressed. I had to wait for the amnio results for 2 weeks and was finally told that everything was PERFECT!!! Since then I have heard so many stories like mine, so please reassure her that although she was screened as high risk, the odds are still way in her favor. (if that makes any sense...lol) Warm Regards, Nahla Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.