BellaOnline Forums Health and Fitness Pregnancy Yay!

Yay! The morning sickness is almost all gone. I just got back from my 4 month appointment. (15 weeks along now) My husband felt the baby kick last night! And when the doctor was feeling around to get the baby's heart beat, he kicked the sensor! Twice! Gotta love the fiesty little guy <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> .

This brings me to my point. The doctor is offering a blood test that will tell me if my baby has downs syndrom. Now we talked to her about it, and while it does give you early warning about possible problems, they can't do anything about it. What do you all think of this test? My husband and I opted not to get it done, simply because my one real phobia is needles.

I must take this time to explain the phobia, simply so you all can understand <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> . When I was very little (about 5) a doctor decided that I had allergies (I don't). he put me on a regimine of two shots every week. Sadly, the nurses who gave these shots were not very nice about it, and it hurt, a LOT. After every shot my arm would swell up, and would hurt for a few days. Needless to say I was not a happy child. This went on until I was 12, when I moved in with my dad, who said that he'd rather me have a stuffy nose than be in pain all the time <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (gotta love my dad). I fell very ill a few years later (not from allergies!It was bronchial pnuemonia) and was hospitalized. The nurse who drew my blood could not find my vein, and dug around in my arm ... a lot. Needless to say, I have developed a very deep seated fear of needles. I've gotten better over the years, but I still get rather hysterical when I have to have blood drawn.

So, we decided that since the test would not change how my pregnancy would be treated, we would not put me through the trauma of blood being drawn. Another thing that was mentioned by the doctor was that some people opt for an abortion, if an abnormality was found. What do you think?

Jessica, I didn't have this test with any of my children. My husband and I talked about it a great deal. We felt that since it would not change the course of my pregnancy and there wasn't anything that could be done, plus the chance of false positives causing anxiety and worry, the test wasn't something we wanted to do.

I think if someone felt the need to terminate the pregnancy due to positive results then they should have the test. It's a huge choice and not one parents tend to make lightly.

Your fear of needles isn't unfounded at all. Everyone has a deep seated fear, yours is needles. If the outcome of the test isn't going to change the course of your pregnancy I wouldn't recommend having it. It sounds like it would cause more stress and that's something you certainly don't need.

That is just my opinion though. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Cheryl, Jessica. It is a very deeply personal choice that a couple should make based upon their thoughts and beliefs.

I had the test simply because we wanted to be prepared should special medical needs or special things would be needed in the nursery and whether I might need to completely leave my job than simply reducing my hours.

We would have continued the pregnancy with or without a positive result for Down's Syndrome, etc. However, that was OUR choice.

And, as for the fear of needles - my brother-in-law faints and seizures everytime he has blood drawn at the doctor's office. THAT is also due to his deep-seated dislike of needles (nothing to do with the blood).

So, Chin up!!! Enjoy the rest of your pregnancy....

Kitty

lol, when I was twelve, my dad and I went to get our ears pierced together (yes I know, warped father daughter day lol) Anyway, we both got them done, sat up, looked at each other, and then passed out!!!! The women who did the piercings almost had a heart attack! I always tease my dad, I was twelve, I had an excuse, what was his? hehe! <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />