What prenatal testing are you doing?

[iqeb]

Now that we're getting into the second half of first tri, what prenatal testing are you doing? Can't wait to see those tiny, human-looking babies when the NT scans start!

[hpnegirl]

I have no idea what testing is offered as I haven't had my first app yet. Last time, I had the serum screening. I will do any and all testing available. If they don't offer testing at this office, I will be asked to be referred out for screening

[mustloveerica]

We probably won't do any testing that isn't covered by insurance unless our Doctor seems to think we should. We spent so much money on IVF that we really want to be careful with our finances so we are comfortable when babies come.

[iqeb]

Testing was free with our insurance last time. I loved how the nt scan was basically a mini anatomy scan, although I don't know how common that is.

[hpnegirl]

Sept 9, 2016 9:55:39 GMT -5 mustloveerica said:

We probably won't do any testing that isn't covered by insurance unless our Doctor seems to think we should. We spent so much money on IVF that we really want to be careful with our finances so we are comfortable when babies come.

My insurance with DS covered testing at the coinsurance rate once we met the deductible. If you call them, they should tell you what is covered. You'll want to check on how your ultrasounds will be covered as well, especially if you have a plan with a deductible, and prepare to be hit with both the deductible for this year and next year. Also, you may find you pay a copay if you go to a radiology office but get hit with coinsurance if you go the radiology department of a hospital.

My deductible in 2014 was met by my RPL testing so I only had to pay coinsurance for all prenatal testing and ultrasounds (everything was done at the hospital next door to the practice). However, I got slammed with a >$2k Bill when I delivered in January because the deductible reset January 1st.

[cayenne]

I may change my mind last minute, but I've told my MW that I plan to decline the prenatal testing.

[ourcrazynavylife]

We get to skip the CF carrier stuff because we've already done it for DD. But we'll be doing all the other tests that are offered.

[mustloveerica]

Oh yeah I'll also add that we did genetic carrier screening prior to our IVF. So we know H is a carrier for cystic fibrosis and I'm a carrier for deafness. So not too many worries there. When babies are born they will get extensive hearing tests because the funny part is although I'm the one that's a carrier for deafness, my H is actually deaf (as is much of his family). What are the odds right?

[heisenberg]

I'm doing the NT scan plus accompanying blood test and the cell free DNA. I think. I had a meeting with a genetic counselor this week to discuss options. She told me at 37, my risk of having a baby with Downs is 1 in 105, which scares me. My husband and I are going to talk it over this weekend (he couldn't go to the appointment), just to make sure he agrees not to do CVS. If we end up doing as planned (no CVS), we will proceed to amnio only if the screening tests give us bad odds. The counselor was really helpful, and I feel well informed. Just not sure what to do.

[hpnegirl]

Sept 9, 2016 15:53:53 GMT -5 heisenberg said:

I'm doing the NT scan plus accompanying blood test and the cell free DNA. I think. I had a meeting with a genetic counselor this week to discuss options. She told me at 37, my risk of having a baby with Downs is 1 in 105, which scares me. My husband and I are going to talk it over this weekend (he couldn't go to the appointment), just to make sure he agrees not to do CVS. If we end up doing as planned (no CVS), we will proceed to amnio only if the screening tests give us bad odds. The counselor was really helpful, and I feel well informed. Just not sure what to do.

I think your plan is a good one. You can get an idea of the risks and probability and then go from there if the odds are not what you want to hear.

[iqeb]

Sept 9, 2016 15:53:53 GMT -5 heisenberg said:

I'm doing the NT scan plus accompanying blood test and the cell free DNA. I think. I had a meeting with a genetic counselor this week to discuss options. She told me at 37, my risk of having a baby with Downs is 1 in 105, which scares me. My husband and I are going to talk it over this weekend (he couldn't go to the appointment), just to make sure he agrees not to do CVS. If we end up doing as planned (no CVS), we will proceed to amnio only if the screening tests give us bad odds. The counselor was really helpful, and I feel well informed. Just not sure what to do.

I know it sounds scary but try to remember that you have more than a 99% chance of a baby who doesn't have Down Syndrome! And your plan sounds good to me too. CVS is very safe with an experienced practitioner, but with a combination of cell free DNA, NT, and serum markers you get a whole lot of information without any risk!

[heisenberg]

Thanks, iqeb and hpnegirl. Your feedback is appreciated! I like the certainty of the CVS and knowing sooner, but it seems like the combo of the two screening tests should be pretty darn accurate. And agreed that 1 in 105 sounds scarier than it is. This stuff is so hard!

[nic1231]

As of right now, we do not plan on doing any. With twins, I am lucky to see them more often through out the pregnancy on ultrasound. If something is wrong, we will just have to deal at that time I guess.

[onesweetworld]

I'm thinking of doing the Mat21. It's only $200 and I'd find out the sex in 3-4 weeks. I'd love to have a sex reveal party in fall

[financialdiva]

We declined all testing. While insurance would of "covered it" it would of been a large expense since it would go towards our very large deductible which we haven't hit this year. I am also a worrier and if you tell me I have a 1 and 10000 chance of something I will spend the entire pregnancy anguishing over how it wasn't a 1 and 20000 chance, or what not.

I am getting a 12 week ultrasound due to them monitoring a SBH. So I will get to see baby again sooner than 20 weeks anyway.

[LydiaDeetz]

I didn't get any testing with DD and won't with these babies either unless my doctor thinks it necessary. I am also one of those women that would stress and stress about the results.

[mosdub]

I wanted to get all the tests this time but my doctor didn't recommend it despite my history. His recommendation makes sense now that I read more about it, but I still wanted it for peace of mind.

(loss related info in spoiler)

SPOILER: Click to show

My last pregnancy ended up being triploidy with a partial molar.

Triploidy = 3 sets of chromosomes. This can happen 1 of 3 ways:

1) One healthy egg is implanted with a sperm that has 2 sets of chromosomes, indicating a potential issue on the dad's side

2) An egg is released with 2 sets of chromosomes and is implanted with a healthy sperm (this would suggest there could be an issue on the mom's side)

3) One healthy egg gets hit by 2 healthy sperm at the EXACT SAME TIME which doesn't suggest any genetic or chromosomal issue with the parents. Just really shitty luck.

#3 is likely what happened to me (I guess they can figure that out via genetic testing of fetal tissue?) Anyway, last time I went to 20 weeks without any idea that something was wrong. My baby passed somewhere around 16-17 weeks and it still really hurts me and is frustrating that my body gave me NO indication that anything was wrong until the ultrasound. That's why I'm having such a hard time feeling okay with this current pregnancy. It feels like "sure, everything looks good now, but that doesn't mean much because something can come out of left field and knock you on your ass."

[lilmonk]

NT is covered here by the government, so most women go for it.

I think we may look at one of the blood tests like Harmony or whatever they're called. It's OOP here but they were not offered when I was pregnant with DS. Recently everything was sent to the US for results but they've finally opened testing centres here and the price has been lowered drastically.

[lilmonk]

mosdub I'm so sorry for what you went through.

[seadragon2013]

mosdub, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your provider is taking the time and effort the give you extra reassurance after an experience like that.

[seadragon2013]

I think we will stick with just the NT scan and basic blood work, unless we can get coverage for a genetic blood test like Harmony.

[mosdub]

Thanks lilmonk  and seadragon2013

[iqeb]

Sept 10, 2016 15:59:19 GMT -5 seadragon2013 said:

mosdub, I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope your provider is taking the time and effort the give you extra reassurance after an experience like that.

+1. I hope you feel heard and reassured by your provider, and that you get strong and early baby kicks and a beautiful anatomy scan.

[hpnegirl]

I'm so sorry mosdub. I hope this pregnancy goes as smoothly as possible.

[sympkin]

We are doing the IPS (integrated prenatal scan?). Basically it's the NT plus two blood tests and it's generally what's recommended for everyone here unless you are super high risk I think. And it's totally covered by gov't healthcare so no worries there.

[ThankfulSnail]

We are declining the testing. I am like some others have said here and would be a huge worrier if I was told we had a slight chance of something being wrong.

[hpnegirl]

Sept 12, 2016 14:49:53 GMT -5 ThankfulSnail said:

We are declining the testing. I am like some others have said here and would be a huge worrier if I was told we had a slight chance of something being wrong.

I'm on the complete other side.. I'm one of those that would push for invasive testing if some risk came back elevated.

[cmac6186]

Probably will do the NT. With DD, she ended up being too big for a definitive answer on the measurements, but the US tech, said that was a good sign anyway of her growth. It was nice for the extra scan plus it was only an extra $25copay.

[babymama619]

I just read a really interesting chapter in Osler's Expecting Better about prenatal testing and accuracy. I'm loving this book for information that feel like is hard to find.

[heisenberg]

Sept 17, 2016 8:25:29 GMT -5 babymama619 said:

I just read a really interesting chapter in Osler's Expecting Better about prenatal testing and accuracy. I'm loving this book for information that feel like is hard to find.

Agreed. I thought that was a great chapter. As was the info about the drug classifications. The amount of alcohol she's comfortable with kind of floors me, though.