I think we have.  There is no mystery anymore.  I didn't know what I was having because my daughter wouldn't cooperate.  However, I do admit it would have been nice to know she was a girl.  If they were really sure.

I opted not to have amnio(I was on the cusp of being 35)because of the risk of miscarriage.

Snowcorgi

Snowcorgi Feb. 7, 2009 at 10:47 AM

I never had any testing just did one U/s (except for my oldest I had 7 with her because she had a defect they needed to keep an eye on

3rdtymsthecharm Feb. 7, 2009 at 10:50 AM

I think it's unreal how many procedures and tests they will do on pregnant women. I had ultrasounds with mine, the intitial one to verify how far along we were and then the one at 20 weeks to check everything out. We did not find out what we were having from a doctor on any of them and liked it that way. We knew what we were having, just had a hunch and we've been right 3 of 3 times. It saddens me to think of how many healthy babies are aborted each year because some doctor and some test said they had a birth defect. I have a friend who was told her baby had no brain, well she now has a healthy 2 year old. Science can be wrong and I believe in miracles. I see no reason to do all this genetic testing just because. There would have to be one majorly powerful reason for me to ever consider anything other than a routine ultrasound. I have Faith in God!!!! I don't need all the extra science!

mommacat Feb. 7, 2009 at 11:01 AM

I believe people dp go too far as far as testing for "possible birth defects" and such. I had a couple u/s to check progress of babies size, and a couple more with my youngest b/c he was so big. I have never and would never have an amniocentisis, I had some triple screem or quad screen blood test thingy, but only b/c they were still taking my blood that day. I did find out the sex each time, but if the technology weren't available it wouldn'thave mattered.

mikeyjavimami21 Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:04 PM

  I agree with mommcat. I was supposed to have Down's Syndrome, and my parents were going to have an abortion. I am perfectly healthy.

bethelann2004 Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Yes, I believe  things have gone a little overboard.  With that being said, I had numerous ultrasounds and the triple screen. They wanted to do an amnio because of "advanced maternal age" but I said no.  The we tested positive for Down's Syndrome.  I went to a high risk specialist and the genetic counselor said I didn't test positive for Down's, I tested positive for Trisomy 18. She explained that to me and I wanted an amnio.  They did the "in-depth" ultrasound and he was fine.  He stopped growing at some point and I was induced at 35 weeks.  He was born healthy.  If I hadn't had so many ultrasounds he probably wouldn't have made it.  My placenta had started detaching at the top and it didn't show on the u/s and I had no bleeding or symptoms yet he wasn't getting proper nourshiment.

DeeGillette Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:29 PM

The only testing I had was a Gestational diabetes one and plenty of u/s. With this baby I am having an u/s every week between 6 weeks and 12 weeks. I find this incredibly useful. I had a missed miscarriage and my anxiety levels are off the roof. This helps me keep calm, and if something were to go wrong, I won't be left carrying a baby that had passed 3 weeks before. So, for me regular u/s are a boon! As far as other tests go, I did not have any. I knew I would deal with whatever I was given.

mummy2tristan Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:31 PM

You only have as many tests as you consent to.

You are your own best advocate. Do the reasearch and refuse tests that you dont feel are necessary...or least make your doc explain why he thinks they are needed.

NorahSethsMommy Feb. 7, 2009 at 12:47 PM

It does sometimes seem that there are far too many tests performed, but it is the decision of each parent as to wheather or not they want them. That said I am a "peeker"I wanted to know what sex my child was so I could go scouting garage sales ect.. and know when i was pregnant the second time if I should giveaway all the cute little girl dresses or keep them .Alicia

gardeneraholic Feb. 7, 2009 at 1:11 PM

I had 1 ultrasound with my dd only to determine how far along I was (I hadn't had a normal period in 5 months).  I then fired my doctor hired a midwife and refused all other tests.  The only tests I did were urine dips to check for protien, glucose, nitrites, leukocytes, and keotines.  When there was some question about my protien level we ran a blood panel just to confirm there wasn't a problem.

With this current pregnancy I fired my new midwife for incompetence and bought the urine dips myself, a digital bp cuff, and doppler.  I monitor everything myself and take extremely accurate and detailed notes.  If I were under the thumb/care of a western medicine practitioner based on my medical history I would be on complete and total bedrest and they'd be insisting on every test under the sun.  All that stress directly relates to an increase in complications.  After firing my new midwife my blood pressure dropped by 20 points, that alone tells me something.  With my dd my bp was right were it is now that I've fired the new midwife, unfortunately I moved out of state and my dd's widwives are no longer an option.

Yes, I feel very strongly that birth and pregnancy are over medicalized and too many tests cause more harm than good.  Tests should only be run when there is a very very good reason.

mmwillow Feb. 7, 2009 at 2:12 PM