Genetic carrier testing?

Question

I’ve just had my first prenatal appointment and they gave me a paper for an optional test that tells you if you are a carrier of like 180 things and if you are then they Test the father too and tell you the chances of your baby having or being a carrier of whatever it is. I just don’t know what to do because I don’t know if it’s worth it or not because you can’t do anything if there is a chance the baby has whatever anyways. Someone give me some advice so I can make a decision lol

Answer

If there was a risk of our baby having an abnormality I wanted to know. It has nothing to do with abortion for me either. But if my baby needed extra care in some ways I wanted to be able to educate myself so that I would be prepared to give her the best care possible. If they thought she had down syndrome I would need to know potential health problems associated with it, etc. If she had spina bifida I'd need to know how that would impact her life so that I could start taking steps to prepare for it before she was born. I just want to be as prepared as I can be for anything we're going to go through with her health. It wouldn't change how much we love our baby but having a heads up would give us time to learn and come to terms with the potential challenges she may face before she was born.

Answer

It would cause unnecessary worry over something we couldn't control, so we didn't do it. Also, we knew we wouldn't abort no matter what, so we opted out of it. Totally up to you though. There are pros and cons for sure, but it depends on what's most important to you.

Answer

We did the NIPT for chromosomal abnormality, but not genetic carrier testing. Mainly because my husband and I are from very different backgrounds and my parents got tested years ago for the main genetic disorders and all was fine on their end. I do think it's good to know even if you'll keep the baby in order to arrange for medical care etc

Answer

I’ve done both the genetic carrier tests and NIPT test. 
For me, I feel better knowing such information and that we keep these results so that when our child grows up they have an idea of what runs in our family. 
Knowledge is power and  I looked at the ability to prepare if baby did have something serious; I could start learning and looking up specialist for whatever came up.  
I say this as a person who also struggles with chronic anxiety and depression; so I get how some may feel it’s more stressful to get the labs done. My heart is more content when I have all the information I need to make informed decisions. 
Best of luck.

Answer

We do it simply so we and the drs can be more prepared if there were anything of concern. I nor my husband would abort unless baby had zero % survival chance after birth such as anencephaly. If you're planners I'd do it if not and stress easily dont. Only you and dad can decide what to do.

Answer

Mine told me the gender as well so I was all for it. It did however also tell me that I was a carrier for cystic fibrosis and I had a hard time dealing with that possibility, so.. 🤷🏻‍♀️ completely up to you. She doesn't btw!

Genetic carrier testing?

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