I just received a phone call from prenatal image center that my bab’s risk of having Down syndrome and Edwards syndrome was within normative range, actually much lower than the cut-off.
It means my baby passed the first-trimester prenatal screening!! I was so happy about this great news!!!
The first-trimester prenatal screening test includes an ultrasound examination to measure excess fluid accumulation under the skin on the back of the fetus’s (baby) neck and a blood test to measure substances knows as Free β-hCG and Pregnancy Associated Plasma Protein-A (PAPP-A).
These screening tests are not diagnostic, but they help to estimate pregnancy risks for certain birth defects and determine where further evaluations of the pregnancy may be needed. Prenatal screening is used to identify subgroups of expectant mothers whose babies may be at an increased risk for Down syndrome or other chromosomal abnormalities.
The purpose of conducting first-trimester prenatal screening test is to identify whether the fetus has either a structural malformation or a chromosomal disorder. There may be cases in which further evaluation is needed if the test results are not within normative range.
Also, early detection of a chromosomal abnormality allows time for psychological and economical preparation by the family. But the risks are parents can get anxious or upset if the result is “screen positive”. For the first trimester, parents can also choose to abort the baby if they don’t want to bring a genetic defected baby to this world.
When the doctor asked me whether I wanted to do this first-trimester prenatal screening test, I hesitated.
How about my test result turns to be “screen positive”? Do I want to bring genetic defected baby to this world? Can I take care of a genetic defected baby and still give him/her the best I can? Is it fair to terminate this life because of his/her genetic defection?
If I decide to do the first-trimester prenatal screening test, I will, by any unlucky possibilities, face these questions. I cannot answer all these questions. And I don’t want to.
Therefore, I told the doctor I would ask my husband’s opinion and called her back. Yes, I threw the horny bone to him and hoped he could be the decision maker.
My husband, M, faced the same emotional torture as me: we have been waiting for this baby for so many years (especially for him), we don’t want to even think about the bad possibilities.
But we did have a deadline to give an answer back to the doctor….
In the end, both of us came to an agreement: if God decides to give us a genetic defected baby, God must have his own reason. Children are the best gifts from God. We will wholeheartedly accept this most precious treasure in our lives. But at the same time, we both firmly believe God will look after us and give us a perfectly healthy baby.
Next Tuesday, I called the doctor and said “yes”. On December 3, 2007, I went to the lab to conduct the test. And today I received the great news: my test result is “screen negative”!
Although a negative screen does not guarantee the birth of a healthy baby, it still makes me much less anxious!
I am so glad that my baby passed the first test! Best wishes for all other mothers and babies!
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From Lina, Pregnancy | Lina | 
December 7, 2007 12:18 pm | 
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