Down syndrome testing now recommended for all pregnant women
Filed under: Lifestyle, Media, Pregnancy and Birth, First trimester, High-risk pregnancy
Starting this week, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists will change its stance on chromosomal defect testing in pregnant women.Up until now, the College had recommended Down's Syndrome and other chromosomal defect testing to pregnant women over the age of 35. Due to both the reduced invasiveness of testing and the new ability to screen effectively in the first trimester, doctors have decided to recommend the test to pregnant women, regardless of age.
The newest method for testing for Down's includes a blood test combined with an ultrasound, called a "nuchal translucency test". The test negates the need for amniocentesis to test for chromosomal defects by measuring the thickness of the fetal neck. It is said to be about 80% accurate with a small risk of false "positives".
I have mixed feelings on this. I rejected my doctor's offer of an amniocentesis when I was pregnant, not because of the invasiveness, but because I didn't want to know whether or not my baby was at high risk for Down's Syndrome. I thought that I would just deal with any surprises when the baby was born. I believe that these tests can sometimes cause unnecessary confusion and angst rather than reassurance. And I think I'd always worry about the false positives. I wouldn't take the test, but I know my opinion might not be very popular around here.
How about you? Would you take it?
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