Screening test for Down's syndrome, Edwards' syndrome and Patau's syndrome

[Hannakallas]

Hi all,

I’ve had my first NHS scan today and after my initial phone call with my mid-wife weeks ago, my baby brain completely forgot about the screening scan.

The midwife who was doing my dating scan asked me if we’d like to get the screening done, and quickly looking at my partner he said he wouldn’t and I said no we won’t have the screening test done.

Now I’m thinking whether we should’ve had it done... I’m in two minds at the minute..

So my question is: have you initially declined the screening scan and then had one done? Or never had one and happy with your decision?

[ToughCOOKIE78]

Hello! I’ve done it because I thought it was the sensible thing to do, the more information you get the better it is- in case you then need to make a decision you have all the info. Good luck!

[Blondyboo]

I didn’t think twice about having it either wouldn’t you want to be fully informed? It’s worrying enough about having a healthy baby so hearing that it has no major problems helped me relax more,! I would want to know what we were dealing with and find out lots of information if the test came back positive for something x I don’t see why you couldn’t have it later if you changed your mind?

[Hidden]

I’ve had the screening done every pregnancy just for peace of mind especially this time as I’m older the percentage can be higher. You have to get it done before 14w so if you’re see earlier I’d ask your midwife other than that I think private do NIPT which I think are more detailed cost about £400

[Cassie_56]

Hi,

I didn’t have it done - initially I was going to have it just for Edwards and Patau’s for the reasons everyone is stating, but then because our pregnancy started off as a twin pregnancy where one stopped developing, we were told we couldn’t actually have any screeners as the levels of hormones would skew the results.

The 20 week scan will pick up most serious conditions anyway and then inform next steps so I was absolutely fine and happy not having the tests done at 12 weeks.

[Rehanat]

Never had them and been happy that I didn’t, for us it wouldn’t have made an impact to whether or not we kept the baby but I understand how it can be different for everyone.

[TheodoraT]

I had a Harmony test, it’s a private blood test, it screens and you can also find out the gender early from the DNA. You can have it done from 10 weeks with no risk. I didn’t mind if my baby has Down’s syndrome etc. but knowing can give you more time to be prepared. It’s also nice to know the gender early on x

[ytsrik1978]

I got asked 3 times by the midwifes to have the screening done in the end I had to ask the midwife to write on my notes that I will not be asked again I told them I will love my baby no matter what I had a beautiful healthy baby girl who is now 6 congratulations hunny just do what feels right for you xxxxx

[Hannakallas in reply to ytsrik1978]

Thank you for responding; I was thinking if there’s something seriously wrong other scans would detect it further down in the pregnancy.. but regarding DS we’d still have the baby regardless... I just spoke to couple of my friends who have recently had babies and they were so surprised I wouldn’t want it done... glad to hear I’m not the only one x

[ytsrik1978 in reply to Hannakallas]

You do what you feel is right for you and to be fair the results can be wrong trust your instincts it's your body and its your little one xxx

[Sazzle95]

My first pregnancy they couldn’t actually do the full screening due to position of baby so I had the Harmony test which we paid for privately. For me I think with all the process of ivf I just wanted some reassurance that this side of things was okay.

[Marisa32]

I had to do it for my own sanity. At my age the risk is so high that I couldn't sleep worrying something is wrong with the baby. Had the triple screen blood test at 10 weeks and diagnostic ultrasound measuring spinal fluid at 12 weeks. All came back fine and I could finally breathe. I still got the quad blood screen coming up at 16 weeks and the anatomical ultrasound at 20 but these initial tests were a lifesaver.