Positive Triple Screen Test

I discussed this somewhat on my other blog, but I figured I'd talk about it here too. Whenever I figure out how to combine both blogs, this may end up being a double post, but what ya gonna do. Let me give you a bit of history for those of you who do not know me.

I use to be on Depo Provera. When I went off of it to try and get pregnant, I was under the assumption that it would take up to 18 months to get my cycle back. I had a kidney stone and when they did a CT scan (at least, that is what I think it was) I went a new OBGYN and he told me I was wrong about the Depo and ran a bunch of tests. He first told me that I had premature ovarian failure. Then when my test results did not come back to confirm that, I had polycyctic ovarian sydrome. He then started me on hormone replacement therapy. It made me sicker than I have ever been before. Then he wouldn't return my call when I complained about it. I decided to go to another OBGYN and get a second opinion. Guess what? It takes up to 18 months for Depo to get out of your system. My cycle returned about 18 months after going off of it. I think it still took us another 6 months to get pregnant with Madison.

Getting pregnant with Madison was the easy (and fun) part. What was next to come wasn't. I ended up in preterm labor with her 6 times (4 times it was stopped with medicine). One of my many visits was Christmas Eve. I ended up with 6 ultrasounds on the kid. On the 5th ultrasound, her waist was measuring short, so we had to get another one. They thought she had IUGR. Of course, after 5 ultrasounds, she was stubborn and would not show us if she was a boy or girl. On #6, she was cooperative. We found out she was a girl and that her waist was measuring fine. The funny part of this story is that she is most long waisted kid you will ever see now. At 2 years old, I had her in 4T shirts because otherwise they were too short.

Fast-forward to now. Madison is now three. In July, I suffered a miscarriage at 5 weeks. It was devastating. We decided to try again and I am now 4 months pregnant with a due date of June 25. On Thursday night, we got a phone call from my OBGYN and are slowly seeing our world crashing in on us again. My triple screen came back high. What does that mean?

That means that I have a higher risk for having a baby with a nueral tube defect. We went on the internet and did a search on that term. What this usually means is spinal bifada or Anencephaly (this is the really bad one. This is fatal).

I also found out that there is a high false positive rate for this screening test. However, I keep going to the place where what about the people who aren't false positives. What happens if we are one of those?

Here's our plan of action. I already have a Level II ultrasound scheduled for Feb. 2nd. Before the ultrasound, we have to meet with a genetic counselor who will tell us our odds of how bad this is. Then we have the ultrasound. We should be able to tell from the ultrasound how bad it really is (or how good). However, if the baby does not present correctly, we may still not have an answer. We then need to decide if we want an amnoicentisis (sp?). They will do one immediately if we decide to do it then. If they fast track it, then we would have an answer by Tuesday. Otherwise, there is a 7 – 10 day wait for the results.

Needless to say, I am a wreck. Bill keeps telling me to think positive and I am finding it hard to do. I think the miscarriage has jaded me. I am trying not to go to all the dark bad places in my head, but it is hard. And the wait till Friday might kill me. So if I seem a bit bitchy or mad or sad, this is why.

Lisa Martin

In April 2006, Lisa began blogging to stay connected with distant relatives and friends. As she delved into blogging, she discovered the potential to assist others by sharing her experiences. Lisa has actively engaged in numerous exclusive media ventures. Notable among these are her participation in events such as the Sony Mommy Bloggers Event, the Pampers Mommy Bloggers Event, the Epson Event in Chicago, the Stouffers Event, a memorable yacht excursion with Lands End, collaborations with 1-800-Baskets, an exclusive tour for bloggers by Mrs. Prindable’s, partnerships with Hallmark, PopCap games, Chicago Cubs Mastercard Priceless Events, and Rug Doctor. In addition, she has collaborated with Nutrisystem on a weight loss initiative, teamed up with Buick and Chevy, and served as a brand ambassador for Sprint. Lisa's collaboration portfolio also extends to Disney, where she has participated in press trips for significant movies such as Frozen, Guardians of the Galaxy, McFarland USA, The Good Dinosaur, The BFG, and Cars 3. Notably, for projects like Frozen, The BFG, and Cars 3, she was granted the privilege of walking the red carpet and conducting interviews with celebrities. The impact of Lisa's blog has gained recognition, with The New York Times referencing her content. Moreover, she has been featured in interviews by respected publications such as the Southtown Star, The Chicago Sun Times, and inside.

This Post Has 7 Comments

  1. Angie

    I'm hoping the time goes quickly, so you can have all teh info you need in your hands.

  2. Melissa

    That is why I declined those tests because there is a high rate of false postives.

  3. tracy

    hi i also had a higher than normal triple screen result I

    received it this am. I too was a mess. My doctor booked

    an amnio for this wed . Only two days from now, I wasnt given an option for an altrasound. My numbers were 1 in 200. And only based on my age all protein levels were normal my false positive rate was 37%. I understand your heart ache and will keep you in my thoughts.

  4. Lisa

    I wrote this back in January. I had a 1 in 10 chance of their being a problem. My son was born in June, and he was fine. I wish you luck.

  5. tracy

    I am so glad everything worked out well for you and your beautiful boy. I am still waiting results from my amnio, but I feel alittle better after talking to my specialist. He explained my amnio wasnt abnormal and anamnio would clear everything up.

  6. Minerva

    Hi, I also got a positive triple screen test. When the my doctor explained to me about the screen positive the world came down on me. I am a mother of four beautiful girls. I am pregnant going on my fifth child. I never expected to get pregnant, it has been 6 yrs now since I had my last daughter. I am 36 yrs old and 6 months pregnant. The news of me being pregnant was very exciting too me. The first thought of me being pregnant was having a little boy. Guess what it is a little boy. I am so happy to have learn that I will deliver a baby boy. Then, time went by and a doctors visit requested for me to get a Amniocentesis Test done because of my age. I refused it due to the fact of having a chance of a miscarriage. I have sleepless night to have heart such news. I called my Doctors office and asked how affective was the triple screen test. The nurse told me that they have had many patients with a positive and then turned out negative. They told me not to worry that the second test was to ease my mind. I have been praying so much. I do not smoke, drink or do drugs. My husband is clean free from these things too. I consider myself healthy and strong so hopefully is a false positive. We will find out on Feb. 2nd 2009. I will pray for all of you that are going through the same as we are. Wish you luck and the best. I will post you later with my resault and story.

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