Hello girls,

I would like to ask you all that did you do any test recently to find out abnormalities in baby? I have been asked my Dr. whether I would like to take a test for Down's Syndrome. At the same time, there was another test which will take some tissues from uterus and Dr. said that this might get bleeding and whether I would like to do that. I am so confused as to what these test are for??? Since I understand that even if I found out the -ve result of the test, I would not abort the baby.

Did you girls do any test apart from regular urine, BP, weight test recently or even in 1st trimester ?

I have been asked to come back again on 27th to do blood test to check Hemoglobin and same blood will be tested for GD.

Girls, reply fast ... I am very confused. ...

Sakhi Padmaja replied. Boy, I am glad that you are in better spirits today. I was thinking of you and thought that I should log on and see if you checked our messages. Its like 11 Pm here and I was telling my DH about you.
Good go for blood tests and positive thoughts okay !! sakhi replied. Hi all,

Thanks a lot for all your messages. I am feeling very relaxed. I was so worried as to why these tests needed. My Gynic did not say that I HAVE to do the test, she just asked me if I wish to do. I think I will go for blood test for all, like one for checking iron and Hemoglobine, second for AFP testing. But I will refuse any other test other than blood. I am more worried not for my pain for bleeding but for the well being of my baby. Padmaja, ur posting on AFP really helped and Jyotsna, urs too about Triple X test. I am just 26 and me and my hubby are not in relation, I think I will not have Down's Syndrome, so will opt for blood test only.

Jyotsna, I take iron and calcium suppliment. I started taking it when I was in my 6th week and taking it till date since I only take veg and iron that we need more during these days can be found only in meat.

Mekha, thanks a lot for msg., u r correct, if the result is false, we have to go thru follow up procedure and above all, lot of mental stress.

I am not much worried about GD since I know even if I have GD its not a risk to my baby. I can control that.

Take care girls and thanks a lot again :)

Sakhi jyotsna replied. hi,am curious to know what vitamin supplemets you girls are taking.Let me know.My homoepath insists that calcium will increase the baby's size.IS that true in any way? Mekha replied. Sakhi, I have done AFP TEST and did at 16-17 weeks. Test was negative. So i didn't have to go up for follow-up procedures. My doctor told me that its up to me whether to go for this test. But i was curious so agreed to do this test. The initial screening test itself poses no risk to mother or baby and its like any other standard blood test. But the major risk of the test is that a false-positive result may lead to follow-up procedures that present greater risk. The substance (MSAFP)produced by the fetus in the mothers blood or elevated level can indicate a neural tube defect such as deformity of the spinal column. Low levels suggest an increased risk of down syndrome or other chromosomal defect.

Aminocentesis is for mother who is over age 35. I heard that many of them don't agree to do aminocentesis because women experience mild cramping after the procedure or rarely slight vaginal bleeding.

Hope you are doing fine. Take care of yourself and don't worry about this test too much. Padmaja replied. First of all as Jyotsna said try not to worry, I know it is easier said !

Here in USA they do AFP testing( Alpha-fetoprotein)it is a protien produced by the growing fetus.It is present in fetal blood and in amniotic fluid, which surrounds the fetus in the uterus.A smaller amount crosses the placenta into the mother's blood.Any abnormal levels of AFP at certain times during pregnancy can be a sign of an open neural tube defects or down syndrome.AFP testing may pick upto 8 in 10 cases.

This test is performed in the second trimester by taking small amount of blood from you.

There are two reasons why these tests are performed :
1.If you are above age 30 your risk is 1/952( which is extremely minimal)

2. If you and your husband are blood related.
I am sure you don't fit under these two categories. So try not to worry !!Also down syndrome occurs in about 1 in 800 pregnancies.

I was asked by my OBGYN if I wanted AFP testing and though I did not have both the above reasons I opted for the testing, since I knew I won't be a candidate.So go ahead with blood testing, if everything shows up okay you will not be asked for the tissues I guess. Another alternative is you can ask for level II ultra sound which picks up any abnormalities.But then it may not come to this as I am sure you will clear the blood tests.

As far as iron check in blood goes, I was also tested for Iron deficiency which is a common occurence during pregnancy.We need more iron in our diet during pregnancy to support the growth of the fetus and to produce extra blood, eating foods with extra iron can help as a iron supllement. Hemoglobin testing is nothing but checking for iron content, so this is okay to be tested.

For GD testing stress increases the sugar level so first calm your nerves. I am sure you will come out of this test with flying colors. You saw how worried I was that too for nothing so don't worry. We are all here if you need any help/advice or to vent your worries.

Sending loads of best wishes and baby smiles your way !!

jyotsna replied. hi,
i did do the Triple X test which determines whether you need to go through a downs syndrome or not(in my 18th week).I mean the triple X-blood test is a precursor to the downs test.I didnt do it when i was 28 yrs old and had my 1st baby.Now im 34 and indian gynaecs do recommend it once u cross 30 yrs(i mean the triple x blood test).Other than that,ive done the basic tests in the 1st trimester(urine blood etc etc) and now in my 7th month,i have just done a haemoglobin test.This is important as iron levels do tend to go down in the last trimester as your baby is consuming more energy and you need to keep haemoglobin levels up to ensure that u dont get anaemic and have the requisite energy to go thru a normal delivery.My HG levels this time was 11.6 but my doc is keen i take an iron supplement.So dont hesitate in going ahead with a blood test.
I dont know whther to do my GD test or not as my gynaec keeps insisting it is not necessary.
One more thing,any abnormalitties in the baby can be detected in the ultrasound as well.Double check with your gynaec and ask her specifically as to what these tests are for--tissues from the uterus etc sounds \";not right\";.
how are u doing otherwise?
Dont worry too much and follow your instincts.I know its difficult if its the 1st pregnancy as one is unsure but talk to ur doc and do those tests which are abs essential.
Take care and smiles