We Got The Beat!

by Leslie

I had a baby appointment today. Although we’ve heard it before, I can’t help but get excited when I hear that child’s heart beating.

The doctor told me it was kind of early to hear it with the Doppler, but we’d give it a try. I laid back and put my fingers on the lower left side of my abdomen and said, “Julia was always right here when I carried her. Until she got so big she was everywhere.”

The doctor nodded, applied the goo and put the heartbeat detector stick on my belly - on the right side, below my belly button. We listened to the static swish sounds as she moved slowly across my abdomen until bam! She hit on that spot - the very spot I’d pointed out to her - and there it was: the baby’s heartbeat. Loud, strong and steady. 155 beats per minute.

I looked over at Julia, sitting on her Daddy’s lap, and watched her eyes widen as she realized what she was hearing. Dave was tapping along with the heartbeat on her leg. It was a wonderful moment.

Then, the doctor congratulated us on making it through the first trimester. We made our next appointment and were given information about the alpha-fetoprotein test I have the option of taking at my next visit.

What is the alpha-fetoprotein test? It’s a prenatal blood test to screen for the risk of neural tube defects, such as spina bifida. It can also be used to screen for a high risk of Down syndrome. The test doesn’t diagnose a birth defect, but can alert the doctor when there is a high risk.

The procedure in my doctor’s office, if the screening indicates a risk for such defects, is to offer an ultrasound and amniocentesis for further information. What does having this information do? The nurse told me, “It offers parents an opportunity to prepare to care for a child born with these defects. Some parents choose to terminate the pregnancy.”

I declined this screening when I was pregnant with Julia.

But, the nurse told me something that made me think about it a little more this time. She told me about a mother that had a test result that indicated a high risk for Down’s syndrome. The mother declined amniocentesis. The child was born with a severe case of Down’s syndrome and was immediately transferred to another hospital for more specialized care. The mother was not transferred and had to wait until she was discharged from the hospital to be with her child. The nurse had said that if the mother knew for sure that the child had Down’s syndrome, she could have planned to give birth at the other hospital so she wouldn’t have been separated from her child.

Can you imagine that?

And so, I’m curious about what you all think. Did you have the alpha-fetoproten test? Would you have it? I’d love to hear about your experiences and thoughts on this.

Posted in Mommy's Stuff |

Comments

16 Cool Kids Came To Play

Pam on October 15, 2007 8:45 pm
I had it done with small boy. The AFP test that is. No amnio for me, even though I was considered of “advanced maternal age” (hated that). My perinatalogist told me that the risk of him finding something wrong with the baby was lower than the risk of miscarraige from the amnio so we opted not to have it.
We did however, have level III ultrasounds and non stress tests very frequently with Braden and praises above, everything turned out just fine.
It’s a very personal choice and I know you and Dave will make just the right one for you and your family. Do you want to find out the sex of the baby?
Karly on October 15, 2007 9:16 pm
Is this what they call the triple marker? I think it is…and I don’t remember if I took it or not. My guess is that I did not, but I can understand why some people would want it. I used to work for a doctor when he got married and his wife got pregnant. Their triple marker came back indicating that the child might have downs and the entire office had to listen to him worry about it day in and day out, which would be totally understandable, except that after his little worry sessions he would conclude with “We’re terminating if the amnio shows Downs.” Um, ok. That’s your right, but do you have to run around saying it EVERY DAY? And then the amnio came back fine and they lived happily ever after, but whenever I think about that baby I think THEY WOULD HAVE TERMINATED! I dunno. Freaks me out.

That said, I CAN understand how some people would choose to terminate. Its just not something I personally would do. And I know that totally wasn’t your question and I just went off on a tangent. So, um…I dunno if I took that test or not. And there is the answer to your question.
Veronica on October 16, 2007 4:42 am
I didn’t have the test, simply because I didn’t want to know. My feelings are that I wouldn’t terminate a pregnancy anyway, why give myself the added stress? I am at an added risk for a down syndrome child anyway because my grandmother gave birth to a DS baby.

That said, the hospital that I gave birth in (and will do again when I have #2) is the hospital that emergency cases are transferred to anyway, so I wouldn’t have to worry about being moved.
Amy on October 16, 2007 5:52 am
When I was pregnant with Aaron I knew that if he was sick, termination was not an option and that the test was unecessary. We would just accept him and love him no matter what. But then I got to thinking that if there was a problem, it would be better to have the remaining five months or so to prepare and so we had the test. Thank God he was pefectly healthy! This time I will definately have the test again. I would spend the rest of my pregnancy wondering and probably wishing that I knew for sure that this baby is healthy too. I just think that not knowing for sure would be so much more stressful than being able to accept whatever the outcome may be early on in the pregnancy.
tootise on October 16, 2007 8:24 am
I’m with Amy. I’d rather know and be prepared. Especially with the first one - there’s so much shock and confusion anyway.
akinvt on October 16, 2007 2:53 pm
Whew such a tough topic. I had the test along with an ultrasound at a radiology office. I just wanted to be reassured that everything was alright. If the results had indicated a high probability for a baby with DS then I honestly don’t know what we would have done. And now that I have a baby I might not be as worried the next time around. Cuz I don’t think that I could terminate.
Kim on October 16, 2007 5:07 pm
I never had thos procedure done. It was not very common when I was pregnant for my kids. Matter of fact, I never even had an ultrasound done for any of my kids. Thankfully everything turned out OK.
Jen in MI on October 16, 2007 6:57 pm
Do the test. Preparation is preparation. And they don’t know “for sure” in any case. You’ve heard that great heartbeat, you’re young, you’re healthy, it’s probably all going to be just fine. The point about being separated from the baby in terms of the hospitals was interesting. I had the test. Again, it was fine. Huge hugs. Boy, I heard that swishy sound again when you told this story. That wonderful, wonderful sound.
Jerseygirl89 on October 16, 2007 10:08 pm
Oh wow. I didn’t have the test with either one. My doctor didn’t seem to think the test was especially reliable and was more on the “let’s just have lots of ultrasounds” wavelength. So that’s what we did. Especially since I really didn’t want an amnio. Both kiddos were fine, thankfully.

But we didn’t have the hospital issue. I’d never thought about that. I know that you and Dave will make the right choice.
dana on October 17, 2007 9:36 am
I don’t remember the test being called that, or maybe I just never paid attention to tests that scared the pants off me. But I think I had it done. I’m glad you got to hear the baby’s heartbeat! That’s the best thing (aside from ultrasounds, I mean!).
jenn in holland on October 17, 2007 4:17 pm
I passed three times for three offers, and had to really stand my ground with the last since I was, alas, of advanced maternal age with Andrew. For me, the termination option if there is a positive result is NOT an option, and I didn’t want to fret or worry over a false result. (as happened to my sister) I am sure there is something to be said for being prepared and knowing ahead of time about these kinds of things, but that reasoning wasn’t enough for me to want to risk the stress over it.
That being said, I didn’t know ahead of time about what would be the challenges of raising a special kid, and I don’t know that if someone had told me beforehand that he was going to have special needs I would have been any more ready to deal with it than what I am now. Meaning, you rise to the occasion as the needs present themselves. I learn something new every day about Andrew and his growth and development needs. I don’t think knowing his problems before he arrived would have done much to help me be ready for his needs. I don’t think I am making myself very clear here, and since his status has really nothing to do with the AFP test, I am way off topic. What I am trying to say clearly is that preparation or no preparation, warning or no warning, you want this kid. I wanted my kids. Nothing would change that for me and I think you and Dave are the same.
Is that coming through?
heather in nc on October 17, 2007 9:40 pm
I chose not to have the AFP because termination wasn’t an option for us. I knew the hospital had a good NICU. We also didn’t want to risk termination with amnio since I am/was advanced maternal age. (not quite a year ago in fact!)
Just go with your heart. For me, having children was a test of faith with God. He arranged for me to be pregnant and chose the child for me to have, so I get what I got. Because of those beliefs, I chose not to have any tests other than the ultrasound and the blood sugar.
Oh, I forgot to mention that my first child they found a “soft marker” for Down’s during an ultrasound and that was all I could think about the rest of my pregnancy.
But still, the nurse makes a good case for those who like to educate themselves and plan.
Sorry, I’ve been no help! Other than to say that the money I saved from NOT doing the test I used to get a massage and THAT was and AWESOME decision!
Daddy Forever on October 17, 2007 11:02 pm
We skipped the test for our 3 kids, but if we have another kid we’ll probably have the test. We have too much going in our life so we have to be prepared before the baby is born.
Scout's Honor on October 21, 2007 1:49 am
I had the AFP test for all three of my children .

For my eldest son, it came up positive. I opted to have the amnio as a scared to death, not quite married, didn’t even know we were pregnant (got pregnant while we were broken up) college student. I remember calling up my mother and sobbing before I could get a word out. My results were left on my answering machine by a kindly nurse (bitch!) and at first, I wasn’t sure if it was spinal binfuda.

Getting the amnio was crucial for me. I would never terminate, but the worry would have damaged my health. I had the amnio at 22 years old and spent our spring break sobbing on a trip in Mexico. It turned out fine. He was perfectly healthy and born on the due day that the amnio and ultrasound predicted since I discovered I was pregnant when I was already 4 months along. The doctor I used for the amnio had less than a 1 percent risk for miscarriage from the procedure. It still scared me to death.

My daughter’s AFP turned out negative.

My sister had a false positive AFP that year as well and opted out of an amnio.

Then, surprise, my youngest son (conceived surprise after vasectomy!) came up positive on the AFP test. This time, I worried, but didn’t cry. This time, I was prepared and knew the test had over a 50 percent false positive. This time, I realized that like our first, being even a week off of the due date can summon a false positive. Both of my boys had questionable due dates because of their unplanned nature.

This time,I still wouldn’t have an abortion, but opted for an amnio because of the sometimes immediate health risks that Down’s children face. They often need immediate surgery and special care, and I wanted to be absolutely prepared if this was a special needs child. My sister had a close friend whose baby needed immediate heart surgery that is common for Down’s babies. I would want to plan and prepare for those situations in advance.

Luckily, it was false positive and he’s happy, healthy, and developing at a fabulous rate. During the amnio, my son actually grabbed the needle in utero and the doctor swished that needle in my womb in a 360. Soo scary. Painful, yes, but all I cared about was my little surprise package getting hurt. That little hand grabbing that needle reaffirmed for me that I would never, ever abort, no matter the results of that amnio.

So, after two false positives, I would still take the test again because I am a worrier and need the reassurance and preparation. That said, I would take any results with a healthy grin of salt, especially if you aren’t absolutely certain of the conception date.

Whew! Sorry for the long comment, but me and the AFP, we have some history!
Scout's Honor on October 21, 2007 1:53 am
grain, not grin. Sorry. it’s late and I’ve been at a swim meet in Portland all week-end.
Toni on October 25, 2007 10:09 pm
Weighing in a little late on this one, sorry. You’ve probably got me figured out by now. I’m anti-intervention woman - so I wouldn’t take the test. About the woman who had to wait until her doctor released her to follow her baby to another hospital - I know this seems like a possible problem but not really. That woman could easily have signed a waiver and checked herself out of the hospital to follow her child. *pulls out soapbox* People are too easily swayed by the “authority” of the doctor. If YOU want to have a test, then do. If YOU want to stay with your baby in the event of a transfer, then DO. But don’t let doctors and nurses push you into anything just because it’s procedure.