More test results

Ok, so after that downer of a post, I will post some good news.

We decided to have the first trimester screen test, which tests for the likelihood of down syndrome or trisomy 18, and the cystic fibrosis carrier test (not sure if that is the "real" name). At the time when we were asked about these tests (at our first appt with the nurse at 8 weeks), I was very overwhelmed and neither my husband nor I realized that we would have to make decisions about the tests at that time. So we just said yes.

At my first doctor appt at 10 weeks, he went through the first trimester screen test more thoroughly and I sort of felt like having the test was not a good idea. Mostly because, for us, the results would not have changed anything and from what my doctor explained, although the test is the best they have so far, it is still a pretty crappy test.

It came back that I am not a carrier for cystic fibrosis. They only screen the father if the mother comes back positive so I'm not sure if my husband is a carrier but if you go back to your Biology 101 textbooks and Punnett squares, it doesn't matter if only one of you is a carrier - your child could end up not being a carrier (50% chance) or being a carrier (50%). If both of you are carriers, your child has a 25% chance of having cystic fibrosis. Ok, that's enough genetics for today.

I just got a phone call with the results of our first trimester screen. During this screen, they measure the neck folds of the baby during the ultrasound and take a blood sample. The measuring of the neck folds process is really something. It looked to me like she was just clicking on random spots. We knew that our neck fold measurement was fine, but did not know about the blood test results.

For the first trimester screen results, they give you a risk measurement. They will never tell you that you have zero risk, instead they will say that your baby has a 1 in 10,000 chance of having down syndrome. 1 in 10,000 is as good as you can hope for. Our number: 1 in 10,000. Nice.

I was not really worried about this test, but it can be a cause for worry for some. I highly recommend reading up on all of the screening tests at an early stage. Like I said, we were not prepared to make decisions on the tests when we were asked because it was our first appointment and it wasn't even with our doctor. I sort of entered panic mode when they asked me to make a decision and sign the form. I'm glad to know it all worked out.