I can't speak for all women, but instead I will give my opinion. I know that when I was pregnant with my son (11 years ago) my views were different than they were when I was pregnant with my daughter (8 years ago). When I was pregnant with my son, I just did everything the doctor asked without asking many questions, and not knowing what the outcome would be of the many tests performed. In particular, I am speaking about the AFP (alpha feto protein) test. This test is done to help determine if the traits for down syndrome are present. It turns out that the test was negative. But, what was I supposed to do if it was positive. The answer to my particular question would have been nothing. That was my baby. With my daughter 3 years later, I chose not to have the test performed because I knew that it wouldn't change the outcome for me. My doctor was not particularly happy about that, but after reading a lot and talking with my friend who was also a doctor, I learned that it was not mandatory. My friend did ask me, "Well, wouldn't you want to know to prepare for the baby if it has down syndrome?" I just simply said no.
Now, this is just my experience, and there are many that would want to know, and maybe some who even might not continue their pregnancy. That is part of a womans' choice. If we were to make people do certain tests, this may be an infringement on their right to choose whether or not they want to know certain things. There are certain things that a woman may want to know, such as a genetic heart defects so that she and her doctor can have an appropriate plan of action. But, in my opinion, these tests should be discussed with the patient by the doctor fully and together with her partner, they can make a decision.
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2 comments:
With my son, the test came back saying there was a good chance he would have down syndrome. I was given the choice to either abort or continue with the pregnacy, but if I chose to continue I had to have the amnio test done. This came back negative and I have a very healthy and active seven year old. I don't know what I would have done if the test had gone the other way, but I appreciate the fact that the test was there to help prepare me for the good or the bad.
I would definitely be a person who would want to know ahead of time. My sister went into labor premature and my niece was almost 3 months too soon. They were preparing her for all kinds of conditions Cali might have, everything from being deaf, and blind, to missing limbs, and mental retardation. I think for things like that it is best to know ahead of time so you can take steps to learning how to handle it rather than having to deal with the shock first.
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