Technology comes to pregnancy!

This week we are taking a look at the most common prenatal tests, the information they provide as well as the potential risks.

I have had a very interesting week doing research for the latest series on prenatal testing. I say "interesting" because as a childbirth educator and doula, I have a basic knowledge about all of these tests.

What I was unprepared for was how this research on prenatal testing affected me. I expected to simple report on some of the latest recommendations, what research tells us and what options on prenatal tests are available to parents. That sounds quite clinical and cut and dried. What ended up happening was not at all clinical.

In my research, I read articles from medical experts who touted the benefits of tests such as AFP, CVS and Amniocentesis. Even the newest member of the block, the nuchal fold translucency, is promising since there is virtually no risk to the baby. I also read stories from mothers who received news about their prenatal tests that was not optimistic. Their choices were all different, yet they all mentioned one thing. The incredible and long-term anxiety that all of this testing produced in the parents, especially the mother, was very evident and consistent with all of them.

I brought me back to my own decisions more than 16 years ago when my Obstetrician shared a heartfelt experience he had with prenatal testing with me. You can read more about this story by clicking here.

I don't have any answers. I wish I did. What I can tell you is to pray, ask questions, research and think through every aspect of each test and what you will do with any result before you start.

Let me know what you think about this topic. It's a big one!

Have a great weekend.

Brenda

(We are taking out our sweaters today since there was a frost last night here in Maryland. My husband just told me that his parents had 6 inches of snow in western NY! Winter is coming early this year!)