How to Decide if You Should Have a Prenatal Test
Prenatal tests are routinely offered to every pregnant woman. Some tests are noninvasive, such as a urine test and blood pressure check. Other tests are extremely invasive, such as amniocentesis or transvaginal ultrasounds. When any prenatal test is offered to you, you should find out as much as you can about the test before having it done. The following steps will help guide you in asking the right questions, so you can make the right decision.
Instructions
Ask about the cost. Before having any test done, ask what the cost is. You should then determine whether or not the test is covered through your insurance provider. These two questions can determine whether or not you are willing to have it done. Many tests are expensive, and not all insurance providers will cover it if it is optional, such as ultrasounds and any genetic tests that you request. Some will cover the entire procedure only if you are over a certain age and the test is recommended for advanced maternal age mothers. This age is typically set between 35 to 40 years old. Some insurance providers will only cover a portion of the test, while others may not cover any of the cost. Always be certain to know who will end up with the bill before having the test done. Ask why a test is recommended. If your doctor recommends a specific prenatal test to you, ask why. Is it because there is something else going on in the pregnancy that you need? Does he think that every woman should have it? If it isn't a test that you requested, you should always know why it has been recommended. Do remember that it is your baby and your body, and you do have the right to refuse any test that you do not want. Inquire how the test will be done. If you are considering having a test done, you need to ask how it will be performed. Is it done in the office, or do you have to go to the hospital? Can someone come with you? What should you take into consideration before having the test done? Some doctors may skip around certain details, so be sure and ask her to clearly explain the procedure. In addition to what she tells you, you should also do your own research on the test. Ask what potential benefits and risks it will pose to you and your baby. There are specific benefits and risks to every procedure that is done. Many providers love to talk about the benefits, but may not explain the risks very well. If you are going to make an informed decision, you need to know both. For example, amniocentesis is a test that can reveal possible fetal abnormalities. The benefit would be that you would know ahead of time and could prepare for the birth and postpartum period. The risks are potential miscarriage, trauma, infection and preterm labor. After weighing both the benefits and risks, you may decide that the risks outweigh the benefits. Find out about the tester. Most people don't ask this, but you should: How experienced is the person who is performing the test? Whether or not the person doing the test has been doing it for 20 years or not, you should always have someone else look at the results too. Asking for a second opinion is never a bad thing, especially if you feel that there has been a possible mistake. Ask about accuracy. Before having any procedure done, ask how accurate the results are. If the results are 50/50, there is no reason to have it done. There are many tests that have high false-positive or false-negative rates. Some tests have to be repeated twice. This may not be a bad thing if it is something you really want done, but if not, you should take into consideration that more tests may be needed. Ask when will you get the results. Some tests give results really quickly and others may be a week or so. Make sure that you know approximately how long it will take, so that you are not waiting by the phone daily. Ask what will happen if you don't do the test. Many mothers decide not to do prenatal tests for a variety of reasons. And, generally, not doing a test just means that you've opted out of optional information. However, if a doctor recommends a specific test for a reason, and you decide not to have it done, he may decide whether or not to treat based on his assumption of it being positive or negative. For instance, the Group B Strep Test is done at about 37 weeks and tests for live bacteria that can potentially make the newborn sick if it is active when he is born. You can choose to not have this test, but if you do, the doctor may choose to treat you as though you are positive as a precaution, since there are no definite results. Ask how your results will affect your pregnancy? There are some tests that may affect how you view your pregnancy and may offer you choices. You may be able to treat certain things in pregnancy that may affect the baby's outcome in a positive way. However, getting positive results to a genetic deficiency at 12 weeks may worry you the rest of the pregnancy. Before you have a test done, determine whether or not the results would change your mind as far as completing or terminating the pregnancy. If you are going to have the baby regardless of what you find out, you may decide that opting out of certain tests is the best thing to do. Find out from your doctor or midwife if there are other ways to get the same information should you decide not to have a prenatal test. There might be other options available to you.
