If you ever plan on having kids, you should read.

So, last night as I sat talking with my Mom, a huge pet peeve of mine came up in the discussion. My brother had gotten a call from a former co-worker who was freaking out about an abnormal test that had come back on his pregnant wife. He called my brother because he knew that my brother and his wife had gone through the same thing a few years ago, with their second child. The test? The AFPTMS4. (alphafetoprotein tumor marker maternal screen). This is a test that is routinely run on pregnant women, and it "detects" the possibility of down's syndrome.

My suggestion to anyone, who ever becomes pregnant is this, do not have this test run, do not let your doctor run it without your knowledge, ask about it, then tell them no, you don't want it. Of course, everyone is free to make their own decision about this, but let me explain why I think this test is not only a waste of time and money, but very harmful to the parents. First, at least in the opinion of Alisa and I, the only real purpose of this test is if you would abort the baby if it was down's syndrome. Alisa tends to think that there also may be some people who just like to be able to plan ahead with all the info, but I think this test is the wrong way to go, even if you do like to be prepared for all eventualities.

Odds of a baby having down's are mostly related to the age of the mother go here for those numbers. The article linked above will also give you some (in my opinion) misleading info, that is part of my problem with the test. It says:

The screening test has been found to be 87% effective at detecting Downs syndrome in the first trimester. Combined with second trimester screening, results are about 95% accurate. It can be performed as early as 11 weeks after conception. However, it is important to remember that this is an assessment test, not a diagnostic test, and therefore can only suggest your child's risk of having Downs syndrome.

So, read that paragraph carefully, first it says it is 87% effective at detecting, then at the end it lets you know that it doesn't really detect the DS, only suggests the relative risk. An abnormal result on the test moves your chances from about 1-1500, to 1-800. Thats right. Thats what it does for you, but, you only get that much info if your doctor is half decently smart. My brothers friends doctor basically told them it was a done deal, they better prepare. What the crap is that? This test has multiple layers of how it can be screwed up. It is a calculation based on lots of things, last menstrual period, expected due date, etc. And, any of those numbers being wrong, or mistaken can screw with the result.

So, basically, if you get the abnormal, you spend a few weeks worried sick about your baby, before they can do the confirmatory ultrasound testing.

Alisa and I are lucky, the doctor (and nurse-practitioner) explained the test well, and are open about it, we choose not to have it done. Some peoples physicians explain the whole thing horribly, and may not even ask you if you want the test, they'll just do it anyway, like in my brothers case. False abnormals happen a lot, just since I've learned about the test I have found out about 3 false abnormals in my circle of family, and friends. Its a stupid test, that isn't diagnostic, merely predictive of possible risk.

My suggestion, don't even come close to having it done.