AFP Screen for Later-In-Life Expectant Mothers

 An Alpha-Feto Protien Screen (AFP Screen) tests for chromosomal and spinal cord irregularities commonly associated with later-in-life births. This test can be requested in lieu of amniocentises.

 Women who wish to bear children while approaching mid-life (30-40 years old) have been warned by many medical professionals and journals about the resulting high-risk pregnancy, increased chances of birth defects and chromosomal abnormalities in the baby.

 For decades, doctors have used a quite painful, and dangerous method of collecting amniotic fluid from the amniotic sac. The amniocentesis test involves a large needle inserted into the womb to collect the fluid sample. This test has potential to harm mother and baby but can flag doctors to potential birth defects while there is still a chance to change the course of the pregnancy. This test is usually reserved for high-risk pregnancies involving older women or the mother's family history of chromosomal or birth defects.

Results of testing the fluid can signal chromosomal abnormalities and spina bifida in the fetus as early as 12 weeks and no later than 16 weeks into the pregnancy.

Good news! Modern medicine has announced a new test which requires only a few drops of blood called an AFP Screen. The test results are comparable to the amniocentesis and the procedure is safe for mother and baby.

 You must know, however, that in 95-98% of the cases that show Abnormally High or Abnormally Low tests results are false. Meaning, that if your test results are off the chart either way and do not fall in a normal range chances are your baby will NOT be born with defects and does NOT have chromosomal abnormalities. (Statistic courtesy of Dr. Sears, pediatrician at askdrdears.com)

IF your test results are abnormal, your doctor will offer the amniocentesis to corroborate the results.

 Ask yourself:

• "Why Do I Want To Know?" 
• "What are acceptable courses of action for me if the fetus is abnormal?"
• "Are you going to keep the baby regardless of the results?"

Frankly, adoption would be setting up a challeged child for bouncing from foster care to foster care. If this is your choice, it would be a good idea to align adoptive parents who are informed that the baby will most likely have birth defects or must be confined to a wheelchair before the baby is born.

Gook luck and Congratulations if you are expecting!