What do you think of the triple screen? Does it scares more than it helps?

What is your opinion of the triple screen? I have heard that it scares new-soon-to-be-moms more than it helps. (meaning that the screen comes up showing problems when, in reality, there are none).

It's interesting that you should ask this question, for it is a really important subject for pregnant women to understand. It's not a simple topic however, so be sure to read on. The "triple screen" is called different things in different areas of the country. Some places call it the “Bart’s test”, some the “double” or “quad” test and some just the Down’s screening test. Basically it is a test of the mother's blood that looks for substances made by the fetus that can be detected at around 13 to 19 weeks of pregnancy. These substances should only be present at a normal level in the mother. The levels tend to be slightly different in pregnancies where the baby has Down’s syndrome, an extra chromosome number 21 causing mental retardation.

The triple test is only a screening test. It cannot make the final diagnosis. It will tell you your risk, but not whether the baby is affected. To find that out the doctor will do an amniocentesis (a test where the doctor puts a needle into the uterus and takes out some fluid). The amniocentesis can make the diagnosis of Down's syndrome.

There are two problems with the triple test and amniocentesis. They can make you anxious, but then again many people are anxious already, and they might reassure you. Most importantly the amniocentesis test carries a risk of just below 1 in 100 of causing the miscarriage of a normal baby.

Now to the hard part - deciding whether you should have the test. First you need to decide with your family what you would do if the results came back positive (that there might be something wrong with the baby). Some women might want to terminate the pregnancy. Other women feel strongly that they would not terminate a pregnancy. No one can decide that but you. Generally people who would never consider termination choose not to undergo the triple test. However, you might want to know the baby's condition before it is born. If the baby has Down's syndrome, you might just want to be prepared. Read, learn, and decide for yourself what is best for you and for your family.