Re: Scared!! Abnormal triple screen AFP test question

[Guest guest]

That test has a large percent of false positives and I refused to do it for

the exact same reason that is happening to you. I did not want to worry

unneccessarily. I am sorry you have this added stress now but there is nothing

that

will ease your mind until you have an amnio to rule it out. I bet your baby is

perfectly fine in there. I will say prayers for you and the baby. Please keep

us posted.(((BIG HUGS)))

God Bless, Robin

Wife to Pup for 15 years

Mommy to-

and

(twin boys, 8 years) and

Daughter Madison- age 5 1/2

and new Mommy to-

Emerson Roger born

July 28, 2004 at 4:11 am

8lbs 7 oz, 20 1/2 inches long.

[Guest guest]

That test has a large percent of false positives and I refused to do it for

the exact same reason that is happening to you. I did not want to worry

unneccessarily. I am sorry you have this added stress now but there is nothing

that

will ease your mind until you have an amnio to rule it out. I bet your baby is

perfectly fine in there. I will say prayers for you and the baby. Please keep

us posted.(((BIG HUGS)))

God Bless, Robin

Wife to Pup for 15 years

Mommy to-

and

(twin boys, 8 years) and

Daughter Madison- age 5 1/2

and new Mommy to-

Emerson Roger born

July 28, 2004 at 4:11 am

8lbs 7 oz, 20 1/2 inches long.

[Guest guest]

Hi, One thing that you should keep in mind is that the AFP test can

give a lot of false postitive results. When I was pregnant with my

son (who is now 10 mo's old) my levels came back high. I had

to see a specialist and a genetic counselor. For me it only took a

level two ultrasound to determine that my baby was fine. It might

be different for low level results to find out that your baby is

alright. I just wanted to encourage you and let you know that these

tests can cause a lot of unnecessary scares. Try to relax and keep

calm until you know for sure.

Angelina

edd 05/15/05

[Guest guest]

Hi, One thing that you should keep in mind is that the AFP test can

give a lot of false postitive results. When I was pregnant with my

son (who is now 10 mo's old) my levels came back high. I had

to see a specialist and a genetic counselor. For me it only took a

level two ultrasound to determine that my baby was fine. It might

be different for low level results to find out that your baby is

alright. I just wanted to encourage you and let you know that these

tests can cause a lot of unnecessary scares. Try to relax and keep

calm until you know for sure.

Angelina

edd 05/15/05

[Guest guest]

I belong to a few groups where women have had that test come back saying

something could be wrong.. and in ALL of the cases, the babies were just fine...

I wish you the best!

~Ginny, Proud Mommy of Wally and y

Born 10-19-03

[Guest guest]

Please dont worry to much over the result of that test. From what I

understand it is onlt about 20% chance that your baby will be downs. If they

haven't

seen anything on the ultrasound I wouldn't worry to much. But I would do a

level 2 ultrasound before I would let them stick a long needle in my belly.

Good luck with the baby.

Meridth

Wife to Larry (02/22/02)

Mother to Forrest (01/21/01)

Expecting #2 02/14/05

Gastric ByPass 02/23/04

370/268pg/175 goalweight

[Guest guest]

Please dont worry to much over the result of that test. From what I

understand it is onlt about 20% chance that your baby will be downs. If they

haven't

seen anything on the ultrasound I wouldn't worry to much. But I would do a

level 2 ultrasound before I would let them stick a long needle in my belly.

Good luck with the baby.

Meridth

Wife to Larry (02/22/02)

Mother to Forrest (01/21/01)

Expecting #2 02/14/05

Gastric ByPass 02/23/04

370/268pg/175 goalweight

[Guest guest]

I would wait it out. Your whole pregnancy is in God's hands anyways. I

wouldn't have it done, b/c it will only make you sad and depressed about it. If

the

baby is born with it then you can deal with it then. There is no need to make

yourself worry. Be positive and pray.

[Guest guest]

I would wait it out. Your whole pregnancy is in God's hands anyways. I

wouldn't have it done, b/c it will only make you sad and depressed about it. If

the

baby is born with it then you can deal with it then. There is no need to make

yourself worry. Be positive and pray.

[Guest guest]

Well, I have read a few people opinion on this issue.. and they are all good

opinions.. but really, you are the only one that can make that decision.. On

one hand- if it doesnt matter whether the baby will have it then you dont need

to have it done.. However---- it is good to have a heads up about it.. My

cousin was born with it and like many downs syndrome babies, she needed surgeyr

right away. It was good that the dr's knew about the condition ahead of time...

So really- the choice is all yours... but like I said previously, the AFP

tests often come back false.

~Ginny, Proud Mommy of Wally and y

Born 10-19-03

[Guest guest]

Well, I have read a few people opinion on this issue.. and they are all good

opinions.. but really, you are the only one that can make that decision.. On

one hand- if it doesnt matter whether the baby will have it then you dont need

to have it done.. However---- it is good to have a heads up about it.. My

cousin was born with it and like many downs syndrome babies, she needed surgeyr

right away. It was good that the dr's knew about the condition ahead of time...

So really- the choice is all yours... but like I said previously, the AFP

tests often come back false.

~Ginny, Proud Mommy of Wally and y

Born 10-19-03

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm , 35 years old, due January 29, 2005 and I had the same thing happen to

me. Granted, this is my first pregnancy but it never dawned on me that my AFP

test would come back in that 'grey area'. So my OB suggested an amnio which of

course I had to wait for as I was not yet at the stage that I could have one. So

a few weeks later I had the amnio and everything came back great. With my amnio

they called me 4 days afterwards to give me results for Down's but I still had

to wait another 2 weeks for the full chromosomal analysis to come back (where

they rule out spinabifida and such). The second part of the test takes longer as

they have to grow the cells in order to analyse them, so I've heard. Then they

compare the baby's chromosomes to the blood work up they do on both the father

and mother. This part is necessary so that if they see something in the

chromosomes of the baby they can refer back to the parents to see if it's

hereditary or something that they need to look at further. They called me with

the results and then sent me a copy of my baby's chromosome chart.

Please don't worry at this point. I was beside myself and it only stressed me

out and no doubt my growing baby.

in Belgium

Lapband: October 1, 2002

280/170/158 (was 155 and at goal and a full tummy tuck when I found out I was

pregnant)

It's a girl! Anja Hemelaer

EDD: January 29, 2005

http://www.schaller.be

Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 12:08:56 -0000

Subject: Scared!! Abnormal triple screen AFP test question

I am kind of new to the board and mostly and lurker, but I have a

question today. I am 20+ weeks pregnant with my second, 30 years old

and due 2/3/05. I had an AFP-Triple screen blood test done. My

levels came back low and I was told the baby could have Down

syndrome. I was referred to a specialist for amniocentesis, etc.

Appt next thursday. Is there anyone out there with a similar

situation. I did not have any abnormal test results with my previous

pregnancy and there is no history of down syndrome or fetal

abnormalities on either side of the family. However, I have had RNY

surgery (19 months post op) 305/151.

Is there anyone out there with an abnormal afp, ruled out by amnio?

Any advice? I am scared and very upset. I have had 2 ultrasounds

already and both came back normal. Now all of a sudden things are

abnormal?

[Guest guest]

Hi,

I'm , 35 years old, due January 29, 2005 and I had the same thing happen to

me. Granted, this is my first pregnancy but it never dawned on me that my AFP

test would come back in that 'grey area'. So my OB suggested an amnio which of

course I had to wait for as I was not yet at the stage that I could have one. So

a few weeks later I had the amnio and everything came back great. With my amnio

they called me 4 days afterwards to give me results for Down's but I still had

to wait another 2 weeks for the full chromosomal analysis to come back (where

they rule out spinabifida and such). The second part of the test takes longer as

they have to grow the cells in order to analyse them, so I've heard. Then they

compare the baby's chromosomes to the blood work up they do on both the father

and mother. This part is necessary so that if they see something in the

chromosomes of the baby they can refer back to the parents to see if it's

hereditary or something that they need to look at further. They called me with

the results and then sent me a copy of my baby's chromosome chart.

Please don't worry at this point. I was beside myself and it only stressed me

out and no doubt my growing baby.

in Belgium

Lapband: October 1, 2002

280/170/158 (was 155 and at goal and a full tummy tuck when I found out I was

pregnant)

It's a girl! Anja Hemelaer

EDD: January 29, 2005

http://www.schaller.be

Date: Thu, 16 Sep 2004 12:08:56 -0000

Subject: Scared!! Abnormal triple screen AFP test question

I am kind of new to the board and mostly and lurker, but I have a

question today. I am 20+ weeks pregnant with my second, 30 years old

and due 2/3/05. I had an AFP-Triple screen blood test done. My

levels came back low and I was told the baby could have Down

syndrome. I was referred to a specialist for amniocentesis, etc.

Appt next thursday. Is there anyone out there with a similar

situation. I did not have any abnormal test results with my previous

pregnancy and there is no history of down syndrome or fetal

abnormalities on either side of the family. However, I have had RNY

surgery (19 months post op) 305/151.

Is there anyone out there with an abnormal afp, ruled out by amnio?

Any advice? I am scared and very upset. I have had 2 ultrasounds

already and both came back normal. Now all of a sudden things are

abnormal?

[Guest guest]

Just like your other replies, I've heard plenty about false positives.

Have them re-do the AFP, & be sure you're sure about an amnio---since

that poses risks to the fetus. You've had two normal US, that should

count for something.

I pray all goes well!

WlsMomma

26 weeks, 4 days

> I am kind of new to the board and mostly and lurker, but I have a

> question today. I am 20+ weeks pregnant with my second, 30 years old

> and due 2/3/05. I had an AFP-Triple screen blood test done. My

> levels came back low and I was told the baby could have Down

> syndrome. I was referred to a specialist for amniocentesis, etc.

> Appt next thursday. Is there anyone out there with a similar

> situation. I did not have any abnormal test results with my previous

> pregnancy and there is no history of down syndrome or fetal

> abnormalities on either side of the family. However, I have had RNY

> surgery (19 months post op) 305/151.

>

> Is there anyone out there with an abnormal afp, ruled out by amnio?

> Any advice? I am scared and very upset. I have had 2 ultrasounds

> already and both came back normal. Now all of a sudden things are

> abnormal?

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to write and thank everyone for their responses about

my abnormal AFP test. I feel a little better knowing that others have

been through this before. I am very apprehensive about getting the

amnio due to the slight risk of miscarriage. According to what I've

read online there is only a %5 rate of false positives with the

AFP/Triple screen. That sounds a bit inaccurate according to the

replies I received on this board. The truth is either way, I am

having this baby. My husband is very adamant about me having the

amnio, although I don't really want to. He said not knowing will

stress him out more than knowing for sure. I think I might take the

advice of someone who posted and suggested that I get the AFP

repeated, then go from there. Either that or have another high level

ultrasound first. I will post again with the results of the

testing. Thanks for the best wishes.

[Guest guest]

I just wanted to write and thank everyone for their responses about

my abnormal AFP test. I feel a little better knowing that others have

been through this before. I am very apprehensive about getting the

amnio due to the slight risk of miscarriage. According to what I've

read online there is only a %5 rate of false positives with the

AFP/Triple screen. That sounds a bit inaccurate according to the

replies I received on this board. The truth is either way, I am

having this baby. My husband is very adamant about me having the

amnio, although I don't really want to. He said not knowing will

stress him out more than knowing for sure. I think I might take the

advice of someone who posted and suggested that I get the AFP

repeated, then go from there. Either that or have another high level

ultrasound first. I will post again with the results of the

testing. Thanks for the best wishes.